Pat's vs. Geno's: Philly Cheesesteak War!

video . . . Frank Olivieri (Pat's King of Steak's) and Joey Vento (Geno's Steaks) square off in the ultimate cheesesteak war!

The President's House: Freedom and Slavery in Making a New Nation

From 1790 to 1800, when the city of Philadelphia was our new nation’s capital, Presidents George Washington and John Adams lived and worked in a mansion – the President’s House – that stood roughly one block north of Independence Hall. In that house, the first two American presidents literally invented what it meant to be Chief Executive of the United States.

The mansion also held a profoundly disturbing truth. It has been documented that George Washington, who owned over 300 enslaved Africans at his Mount Vernon home, brought at least nine of these servants to Philadelphia to live and work in the President’s House. This fact creates a challenge to the notion of American liberty; while the founders of our country declared “all men are created equal,” the brutal institution of slavery was still being cultivated and maintained. It was in this very house that George Washington signed the notorious Fugitive Slave Act of 1793.

The presidential mansion is replete with stories of both achievement and infamy – the birth of a free nation and its tenacious first steps, co-existing with widely practiced, indefensible enslavement of human beings. It is worth noting that John Adams was not himself a slave owner, and his wife Abigail was an outspoken critic of slavery.

Ultimately, President’s House: Freedom and Slavery in Making a New Nation is designed with a dual purpose. The site indeed commemorates the location and importance of the original executive mansion of George Washington and John Adams – key architects of American democracy. It also tells the long-obscured story of the enslaved Africans who toiled at the house, two of whom made a remarkable escape to freedom during Washington’s presidency.

Philadelphia Movie Sties Tour

Movie buffs will adore this tour of more than 50 movie sites

from 30 movies and TV shows filmed in Philadelphia.

Sites Visited:
Independence Mall - Shooter / Rocky II

Independence Hall bell tower - National Treasure

Curtis Center building (lobby) - Unbreakable

Independence Square / Washington Square - National Treasure

Old Pine Churce graveyard - National Treasure

Famous 4th Street Deli - Philadelphia / In Her Shoes / Jersey Girl

Delancy Street - Italian Job / The Answer Man

Old City - Beloved

St. Augustine's Church - The Sixth Sense

PA Convention Center / Reading Terminal Market - 12 Monkeys / National Treasure

Hard Rock Cafe - Jersey Girl

Macy's - Mannequin / Mannequin On The Move

Manhole cover (City Hall) - 12 Monkeys

Municipal Services Building - Up Close and Personal / Shooter
LOVE Park - Baby Mama

Clothespin Statue (15 & Market)- Trading Places

Academy of Music - Age of Innocence

Furness Library (non site visit - clip only) - Philadelphia

Franklin Field (non site visit - clip only) - Invincible

2302 St. Alban's Place (Lynn and Cole Sear's home) - The Sixth Sense

Various City Scenes (clip only) - Rocky Balboa

Eastern State Penitentiary - Transformers Revenge of the Fallen / 12 Monkeys / Return to Paradise
Benjamin Franklin Parkway / Phila Museum of Art - Rocky / Rocky II / Rocky V / Rocky Balboa / In Her Shoes

Franklin Institute Science Museum / Aviator Park - National Treasure

Amtrak's 30th Street Station - Witness / The Happening / Blowout / Trading Places

Chestnut Street Bridge - Shooter
Pickwick Pharmacy - Philadelphia

City Hall - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen / Philadelphia / Law Abiding Citizen / Fallen / Blowout)

Broad & Walnut Streets - Marley & Me
Butcher & Singer restaurant - The Sixth Sense

Walnut Street - In Her Shoes

Rittenhouse Square park - The Happening / Trading Places / Rocky II

Curtis Institute - Trading Places

Tequila's restaurant - Unbreakable

Jamaican Jerk Hut - In Her Shoes

High School for Performing Arts (former Ridgeway Library) - 12 Monkeys

Geno's Steaks - Fallen

Pat's Steaks - Invincible

Italian Market - Rocky / In Her Shoes / Rocky II / Rocky Balboa

Loft Apartment of Andrew and Miguel - Philadelphia
8th & Chestnut Street Post Office - The Answer Man
Independence Hall - Shooter

*Subject to change as dictated by route, traffic detours or other delays.

Learn more at www.moviesitestour.com

Mummies of the World: The Exhibition

Mummies of the World, the largest exhibition of mummies and related artifacts ever assemble is now at The Franklin Institute. This compelling collection, presented with reverence and dignity, includes ancient mummies and important artifacts from Asia, Oceania, South America, Europe, as well as ancient Egypt, dating as far back as 6,500 years.

Location: Franklin Institute
Website: Mummies of the World

Exhibit Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: 9:30AM – 5:00PM
Last admission 3:30PM

Thursday – Sunday: 9:30AM – 8:30PM
Last admission 7:00PM

Mütter Museum

The Mütter Museum is a medical museum located in the Center City area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It contains a collection of medical oddities, anatomical and pathological specimens, wax models, and antique medical equipment.

The museum is part of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. The original purpose of the collection, donated by Dr. Thomas Dent Mütter in 1858, was medical research and education.

The Mütter Museum is best known for the Hyrtl Skull Collection and other anatomical specimens including a wax model of a woman with a horn growing out of her forehead along with several wax molds of untreated conditions of the head; the tallest skeleton currently on display in North America; a nine-foot-long human colon that contained over 40 pounds of fecal matter which originally came from a sideshow act called the human Balloon; and the body of the Soap Lady, whose corpse turned itself into a soapy substance called adipocere better known as grave wax.

Street address19 South 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103.

Hours of operationMonday-Friday, 10am-5pm
Saturday & Sunday, 10am-5pm

The Museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day, December 25th, and January 1st.

AdmissionGeneral Admission (Ages 18-64): $14
Children (Ages 6-17): $10
Senior Citizens (Age 65+): $10
Students with valid ID: $10
Military with valid ID: $10
Fellows of the College: FREE
Children under 6: FREE

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers.

Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, this was the world’s first true “penitentiary,” a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of convicts.

Its vaulted, sky-lit cells once held many of America’s most notorious criminals, including bank robber “Slick Willie” Sutton and Al Capone.

Located:
2027 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone: (215) 236-3300
Website

Similiar Links
Ghost Caught Inside Eastern State Penitentiary
Terror Behind the Walls: Halloween at Eastern State Penitentiary

Larry Fine Mural

In May 1999, the beginning of a special mural honoring the stooge in the middle, Larry Fine, started when a weekly Philadelphia newspaper suggested that the City of Philadelphia should create a mural of Larry.

It all began when one of the two major newspapers in Philly started a campaign to raise money for a Frank Sinatra Mural after his death. The weekly paper questioned the daily paper, stating that Sinatra is not from Philly and that the city should create a mural after "a true native son". That of course being Larry, who was born in South Philly and attended Central High School, a city public school. The daily paper agreed that there should be a mural of Larry and stated that they would pass along any suggestions to help out. They actually had some interesting headlines in trying to help raise interest, including "NYUK! Strike up 'Three Blind Mice '...We're huge on mural for a stooge". The City's Mural Arts Program hired David McShane, a self proclaimed "longtime Larry aficionado", to paint our favorite porcupine.

The first fundraiser was held at a bar in Center City Philadelphia on June 17, 1999. I, along with fellow Stooge Fans attended. I brought along some Larry memorabilia for display, including a puppet, an autographed picture and some other goodies. Also in attendance was Larry's sister, Lyla and other family members. Stooge beer was on sale at the bar with some of the proceeds going to towards the mural.

On Tuesday, October 26, 1999, a mural dedication was held at the site of Larry's birth place, 3rd and South street in Philly. The dedication started around 6:00pm with a representative from the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. She introduced the artist, thanked the donators, introduced Lyla and thanked everyone for coming out. One local TV station did cover the event. As you can see from the photo's, the artist did a great job. The mural is of Larry in black and white wearing a white shirt, tie and sport jacket. The background is black and yellow and looks like a target. The mural is approximately 20 feet high, from the corner of 3rd and South streets, you can't miss it! Some people who were walking by asked me what was going on. When I pointed at Larry and mentioned the dedication, almost all smiled and stated that they liked it. Some people there wore Stooges shirts, the latest Stooges beers shirts seemed to be the most popular at the event. Snacks were free and Stooges beer was served. I overheard many conversations about the boys and how they made them laugh. When people realized that Lyla was there, fans wanted to meet her.

The mural is great and certainly an asset to the memories of Larry and the Stooges. It you are in Philadelphia, it is worth a visit and don't forget to bring your camera.

Credit: Jim Pauley

Philadelphia Travel Tips

Philadelphia is most famous as the birthplace of American independence. The city's Historic and Waterfront District begins on 6th Street, and continues to Penn's Landing on the banks of the Delaware River.

Now, where do you start?

Independence Visitor Center

Electronic touch screens allow visitors to find information about attractions, hotels, and restaurants in five languages.

Pick up maps and brochures, CityPass and The Philadelphia Pass discount ticket booklets, and free timed tickets required for tours of Independence Hall.

Address: Corner of 6th & Market Sts.
Phone: 800-537-7676
Website: independencevisitorcenter.com