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Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches
Discover the true stories scattered throughout Philadelphia’s Historic District in the places they actually happened with Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches.
Throughout Philadelphia’s Historic District, guests will find 13 storyteller benches featuring free, three to five minute tales and secret stories told by uniformed, professional storytellers.
For example, everyone knows that Betsy Ross stitched the United States’ first flag, but not too many realize that the famous seamstress was a three-time widow, an entrepreneur and a munitions maker. Few know that Independence Hall, the birthplace of the nation, once had a museum on the second floor that housed a mastodon skeleton.
Children can pick up a Story Flag at any Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Bench locations, then collect a star from every storyteller on their journey. Flags with all the stars can be redeemed for a History Hero Certificate and a free carousel ride on the Parx Liberty Carousel at Franklin Square.
Storyteller benches feature free, three to five minute tales and secret stories.
Bench Locations
Storytellers can be found at the 13 signature benches in Historic Philadelphia at: 1. Independence Visitor Center 2. Independence Square, behind Independence Hall 3. Signer’s Garden 4. Carpenters’ Hall 5. Museum of the American Revolution 6. The Powel House 7. Elfreth’s Alley 8. Franklin Court 9. Christ Church 10. Betsy Ross House 11. Arch Street Meeting House 12. The Lincoln Financial Storytelling Bench at the National Constitution Center 13. Franklin Square
Once Upon A Nation: Valley Forge Keep an eye out for Once Upon A Nation storytelling benches in Valley Forge National Park and discover the riveting stories of the encampment and how it became a turning point in the Revolutionary War.
Benches are located at the Visitor Center, Train Station at Washington’s Headquarters and the Muhlenberg Brigade.
For more information about the Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches, please click the button below.
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.