Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches - Historic Philadelphia, Inc.

Independence After Hours:

Gain evening access to Independence Hall, and see the summer of 1776 come to life on this limited tour.

Events

Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches

One-of-a-kind award-winning Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches are located throughout Philadelphia’s Historic District, telling riveting stories of our nation’s history in the places where they actually happened. Specially-trained, uniformed storytellers delight and entertain with free, short 3-to-5-minute stories while sharing the secrets of Philadelphia’s and America’s history.

Follow one of these “Once Upon A Nation Trails,” grab a storytelling flag at any bench, fill the 13-star flag with stars, and receive a certificate and other surprises at Franklin Square upon completion. Find a map including all of the Storytelling Bench locations in the Historic Philadelphia Gazette, linked HERE.

Due to the extreme heat, Storytelling Benches have been shifted to the following locations:
Independence Visitor Center
Free Quaker Meeting House
Second Bank of the United States (After 12pm)
Carpenters’ Hall
Franklin Court
Christ Church
Betsy Ross House
Arch Street Meeting House

Bench Locations

Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market St
Independence Square, behind Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut St
Signer’s Garden, 434-498 Chestnut St
Second Bank of the United States, 420 Chestnut St
Carpenters’ Hall, 320 Chestnut St
Benjamin Rush Garden/First Bank of the United States, 120 S 3rd St
Franklin Court, 322 Market St
Christ Church, 20 N American St
Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch St
Arch Street Meeting House, 320 Arch St
National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St

Once Upon A Nation experiences are created in cooperation with Independence National Historical Park and the National Park Service, made possible by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and sponsored by PNC.

Betsy Ross House presented by the George C. and Esther Ann McFarland Foundation.