Our company has been sending students all over the country for over a decade now, and Philadelphia educational tours are still very popular, especially with an emphasis in history. In fact, as mentioned a while back, Forbes Traveler found Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia to be one of the top 25 visited attractions in the nation. Which brings us to the beautiful fountain we’re featuring today, surrounded by some of Philadelphia’s most popular attractions and rich with tradition: The Swann Memorial Fountain.

Dr. Wilson Carey Swann was the founder of the Philadelphia Fountain Society, and this beautiful centerpiece was designed in his honor, complete with sculptured swans – a play on his name. Large native American figures also grace this landmark and are symbols of the three major rivers in the area.

Swann Memorial Fountain is located in Logan Circle. It stands as the midpoint for Ben Franklin Parkway where both City Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art tower nearby. This fountain is therefore bound to figure into your Philadelphia tour whether you plan for it or not. In the past, it has been popular for swimming in the summer, which was eventually banned – by security and everything. But there are still traditions in the city – which make the local news – that include celebrations by emersion in this popular city landmark, including annual end-of-the-school-year jubilees.

This is a beautiful centerpiece to any Philadelphia tour – and yet another gorgeous fountain in our week of celebrating those refreshing, traditional city landmarks we cannot help but love.

Photo Credit: michaelwm25 on Flickr

Off the top of your head, what US sites would you imagine on the Forbes list of most visited?  The big flashy ones with commercials about how they make your dreams come true?  The ocean?  The mountains?  Number 23 on the list is hardly flashy and doesn’t boast either of these breathtaking natural wonders.  Still, one could argue that without it, America would be far less believing when it comes to the pursuit of our dreams.  It’s Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia, and it too made the list for favorite tourist attractions in the entire country.

The park is best known for the Liberty Bell.  It’s a national symbol of our freedom, something we understand from a very young age as the foundation for almost everything else we can choose, express, and pursue in our great nation.  A lot of legend surrounds the famous bell.  A story once suggested it was rung to announce the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.  Certainly it’s inscription celebrates  freedom, getting its name from the words proclaiming “liberty to all who live in this land.”  

The bell used to hang in Independence Hall, another important attraction in this national park.  Independence Hall is called the birthplace of our government.  It was the site for the signing of the Declaration of Independence – a fact that easily led to the legend about the Liberty Bell’s most important announcement – and the proceedings that led to our Constitution.  A tour of the building leads you directly into this all-important assembly room where George Washington himself presided from a seat now call the “rising sun.”

These sites are the most famous in the park and beautiful additions to Philadelphia educational tours.  But there are several more amazing historical sites in the park as well, including Franklin Court.  An abstract sculpture represents one of Franklin’s homes and signals the group of other Franklin sites showcasing his history, inventions, and pivotal contribution to Philadelphia as well as the nation as a whole.  

And still, this is just the beginning.  Independence National Historic Park is frequented by Americans every day because it’s foundational to everything we are – and that’s a claim to fame worth witnessing for yourself.

(photo by motleypixel on Flickr)