Fun in Philly

This July, the Vanderbilt cohort will not only study Novel Writing, Rhetoric, Calculus, and Computer Science in Nashville, Tennessee, but we’ll also venture North East to tour the wonderful city of Philadelphia.

Our journey - digital edition!

Weeks prior to the logistical bombardment, Don advised us to sit down at our computers and research places that we’d like to visit in Philadelphia. He wanted us to construct our own lists then discuss them at our cohort dinner to come up with a collective and finalized one. Putting forth our preferences and coming up with a list, was easier than it seemed. Everyone was cooperative and open, prompting us to whip up a completed list pretty fast. Our final decisions were made based on price (do we want to spend that much money?), popularity(will we be stuck in long lines?), and location (is this a 5-minute walk from the hotel or an hour-long car ride?) - all communicated through our group chat and our dinner.  

Pep, known as "the cat-murdering dog"

For Philadelphia, this is what we came up with: Eastern State Penitentiary, Reading Terminal, Independence Hall, One Liberty Observation Deck, and Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens.

The Eastern State Penitentiary (ESP) is a former American prison, that operated from 1829 until 1970. Instead of being a site for punishing criminals, it was one of the first of its time to emphasize reform and rehabilitation - with its system of separate incarceration. Prisoners were kept in solitary confinement to ensure that they silently reflect on their behavior. Moreover, the prison was built on religious ideals, with church-like silence for prayer, penance, and reflection, and each cell having a skylight representing the eye of God. Hundreds of prisons were modeled after ESP. 

Interestingly enough, in 1924, the governor of Pennsylvania sentenced Pep, a dog, to a life sentence at ESP after attacking and killing the governor’s wife’s cat. To this day, many believe that Pep was falsely accused and unjustly served life in prison. 

Reading Terminal is a public market, established in 1893, where over one hundred merchants (two of which are descendants of merchants from the market’s initial opening) reside 7 days a week to sell a diverse array of products. Fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, cheeses, meats, sandwiches, and fish to name a few. The market has a grid pattern with stalls for vendors and open-seating areas - so you can choose to stroll the market or sit and enjoy your treasures. 

Reading Market

By George! caught my eye, from the mesmerizing pictures of fresh pasta, cheesy pizza, and its philanthropy - for every cheesesteak bought, a portion of their earnings goes to feed a hungry child. At Herbiary, the scents of soaps, incense, and essential oils are used for aromatherapy and other natural remedies.

Independence Hall, constructed in 1753, is the building where major events in America’s history took place - most notably the Declaration of Independence and U.S Constitution were debated and signed. In 1915, at a convention held at Independence Hall, overseen by former President William Howard Taft, the League to Enforce Peace was formally announced. This organization to promote world peace, would soon evolve into the League of Nations and then the United Nations.  

One Liberty Observation Deck, also known as Philly from the Top, is an observation deck located on the 57th floor of the One Liberty Place in Center City -  the central business district of Philadelphia.  Observers get a 360-degree panoramic view of Philadelphia's skyline - and nearby skyscrapers. In the midst of the bustling city, the observation deck provides a beautiful view at all times of the day.

Panoramic view from the observation deck

Magic Gardens is an art museum with an indoor gallery and an outdoor setup. It prides itself as a site for unconventional artwork, using bicycles, dolls, glass, mirrors - you name it - to create artwork. Before bought, the property was to be demolished and made into an expressway to connect different highways, however, Isaiah Zagar, Philly Magic Gardens founder, saw more to the property. Zagar and his wife rented and purchased several of the buildings on the property and converted them into murals and galleries. With the help of community members, in 2002 he was able to buy the rest of the property. Magic Garden is a site that encourages community, creativity, inspiration, and houses “outsider” artwork from around the world.

One current exhibit is called Alla Abajo/ Down Below: A Reaction to Our Times by Ornella Ridone. Her work features stories of Mexican and American residents, with themes of gender and the lives of women - all embroidered on discarded clothing.  

Magic Gardens - look how cool this is!!

Doing research allows these locations to resonate more with me. As a strong supporter of rehabilitation of inmates, a food enthusiast, someone interested in the foundation of our nation, someone who has an affinity for heights, and an art appreciator, I cannot wait to visit these places in person.