How Ben Franklin Created Fake News
Motivated by similar impulses to stir emotions and sway citizens, the Founding Fathers proved just as adept at propaganda as contemporary message-makers.
Meet the Man Who Makes Authentic Museum-Quality Hats
Thanks to extensive research and a history degree, Matthew Brenckle makes hats that stress authenticity down to the stitch, which may explain why people from around the globe pay hundreds of dollars for one of his creations.
Philadelphia City Guide
Whether in search of a famed hoagie, a wander through the Reading Terminal Market, or a repeat run of Rocky’s dash up the Art Museum steps, more than 42 million people visited Philadelphia last year. But, for the most part, visitors came for the history.
Texts from the Battlefield: George Washington v. Charles Lee
A reimagined version of what might have been said between George Washington and Charles Lee had smart phones, texting, and snarky GIFs existed in the 18th century.
Here’s Where to Taste Thomas Jefferson’s Sweet Potato Biscuits
For Walter Staib, the chef and operator of Philadelphia's historic City Tavern, food acts as an edible history lesson, and he loves serving up the intimate details of the patriots who dined there almost as much as the food they ate.
A Taste of Washington’s Bravado at the Old ‘76 House
The sign made me stop the car. I almost missed it as we drove through the slim, two-laned Main Street dotted with the red-brick and gray and beige two and …
Betsy Ross is America’s Most Disputed Heroine
American history portrays her as the woman with the flag on her lap. Most of what we know ends there, but through research and hard work, Kim Hanley, executive director of the American Historical Theatre, seeks to bring Ross and other historic heroines to life.
Best of Wives, Best of Women
Although the details of their lives rarely earn the same regard as their historically-renowned husbands, these five Revolutionary women prove through determination, political savvy, and their aversion to sexist norms of the 18th century, that they deserve just as much attention as their male counterparts.
5 Places that Will Make You Want to Skip the Liberty Bell
These sites — from Ben Franklin’s house to critical forts — offer all the drama a Revolutionary War history enthusiast wants without the crowds and the barriers that accompany Philly’s more famous venues. Because the truth is: not all historic sites are created equal.
The Reenactment That Changed How I See the Past and the Present
Even though this writer had participated in re-enactments of the Revolutionary War since ninth grade, this wintery, 15-mile march for this particular Battle of Princeton left him transformed.
The Three Most Famous 18th Century Taverns in America
The connection between alcohol and America goes back to the country’s origin story. The Founding Fathers drank more alcohol than water, and taverns played a critical role in the nation’s …
Unpacking America’s Origin Story: A Conversation with Podcaster and Author Mike Duncan
After 10 years of dedicating his life to audio storytelling, historical podcaster and soon-to-be published author Mike Duncan discusses the American Revolution, those written out of history, and whether the United States is the new Roman Republic.