Philadelphia Sites Part 4
City Tavern
Built 1773. This is a reconstruction of the famed Congressional hangout and post-war stock exchange.
Library Hall of the American Philosophical Society
Founded in 1743, the American Philosophical Society was intended as an American version of the Royal Society, founded in 1660s London. The society hoped to advance natural philosophy, or as we call it, science, for the benefit of the colonies. The statue above the door is of Benjamin Franklin, an early member.
Stock Exchange
Built 1834. For some time, Philadelphia, not New York, was the nation's financial center, and this is the country's oldest stock exchange building.
First Bank of the United States
In operation from 1797 to 1811, inspired by the Bank of England, and promoted by Alexander Hamilton, this controversial organization's charter was not renewed. The building is not open to the public.
Second Bank of the United States
Built 1819-24. After the financial problems of the War of 1812, another try was made at a central bank, but Andrew Jackson vetoed the bill to renew the bank's charter. Despite being on the modern twenty dollar bill, Jackson disapproved of both paper money and banks. It would take until the early 1900s for the creation of another central bank, the Federal Reserve, and until after the Great Depression for that organization to function as it should.
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