Day: June 1, 2015

Between Philly’s Permanent Offerings & Special Happenings, Visitors Will Have Plenty To Discover During World Meeting Of Families Weekrn

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rnBenjamin Franklin ParkwayrnWhen families of faith from around the globe make their pilgrimage to Philadelphia from September 22-27 for the eighth World Meeting of Families (WMOF), they will find the City of Brotherly Love ready to welcome them with special exhibitions, activities and tours. The event culminates on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with the Festival of Families on September 26, followed by the papal mass the next day. Throughout the week, visitors will find plenty to discover and explore throughout the region.rnrnHere’s a look at some must-sees, must-dos for families and the faithful, along with a sampling of special events, exhibitions and tours scheduled to take place during this special time in Philadelphia’s history:rnrnPhilly 101:rnrnIndependence National Historical Park—home of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center, Congress Hall and other historical landmarks—top any first-timer’s to-do list. The Benjamin Franklin Parkway, site of the papal mass, is a museum-lover’s paradise with The Franklin Institute, Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia Museum of Art and famous Rocky statue. And global visitors can get a taste of Philly and likely a taste of their own hometown treats at the always-buzzing Reading Terminal Market. visitphilly.comrnSpecial Events & Exhibits:rnrnPenn Museum’s Sacred Writings: Extraordinary Texts of the Biblical World, features two treasures: one of the world’s oldest papyrus fragments of the Gospel of Saint Matthew (Chapter 1: 1-9 and 12-20), 3rd century C.E., and a Sumerian clay tablet, 17th century B.C.E., with the earliest version of the Mesopotamian flood story, which closely parallels the biblical tale of Noah. Visitors interested in the biblical era and region can explore galleries with materials from the Ancient Near East, Egypt and the Bible Lands, as well as Sacred Spaces, an exhibition of spectacular photographs of Byzantine church interiors in Turkey. August 15-September 27. 3260 South Street, (215) 898-4000, penn.museumrnSince it was founded in 1812, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, clergy naturalists have contributed to its collections. The Clergy and the Academy’s Collections exhibit includes plant and animal specimens, objects, books and archival materials contributed by clergy from the Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Quaker, Jewish and Moravian communities. August 31-October 13. 1900 Ben Franklin Parkway, rn(215) 299-1000, ansp.orgrnWhen Father Edwin Gallagher, the Catholic chaplain at the historic Eastern State Penitentiary, witnessed an inmate painting in his cell, he invited him to decorate the offices where he counseled inmates. Now on view, these remarkable and fragile paintings in the Chaplain’s Office have been carefully restored and are a testament to the story of one inmate who underwent a powerful change thanks to his Catholic faith. September 20-24. 2027 Fairmount Avenue, (215) 236-3300, easternstate.orgrnThe Philadelphia Museum of Art offers several themed tours of its vast collection. Visitors join daily, guided tours of the collection of Christian art highlighted by van der Weyden’s Crucifixion, van Eyck’s Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata and Tanner’s The Annunciation. Other activities include self-guided walking tours of the Medieval and Renaissance galleries, featuring masterpieces of Christian art with an emphasis on Pope Francis’ namesake, Saint Francis of Assisi. September 22-27. 2600 Ben Franklin Parkway, (215) 763-8100, philamuseum.orgrnReligious Liberty, a special fall exhibition at the National Constitution Center (NCC), explores the roots of religious liberty in America. Historic documents illuminate the interplay between church and state and how the First Amendment was established. The NCC also hosts a week of crafts, quiz games, 18th-century dress-up stations, special museum tours during World Meeting of Families week, and all at special savings. 525 Arch Street, (215) 409-6700, constitutioncenter.orgrnSacred Sites & Tours:rnrnNumerous religious denominations worship in Philadelphia, thanks in part to city founder William Penn whose commitment to religious freedom was at the heart of his efforts to colonize Pennsylvania. Christ Church, Free Quaker Meeting House, Old St. Mary’s Church, Old Saint Joseph’s Church (the first Catholic church in the city), Mikveh Israel synagogue and Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church are just a few of the houses of worship dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries that still stand and have active congregations.rnVisitors can explore some of the city’s most cherished sacred sites while experiencing its acclaimed walkability with two faith-themed walking tours. As part of its 90-minute Faith, Family and Freedom tour, Philadelphia Trolley Works guides escort guests to attractions along the Ben Franklin Parkway, Old City and other locations. September 13-15, September 28. Love Park Visitor Center, 16th Street & John F. Kennedy Boulevard. And the Compline Lantern Light Tour takes participants to historic churches, synagogues, graveyards and other sites all by the glow of candle light. Various locations. September 13-15, September 28. Independence Visitor Center, 6th & Market Streets, (215) 389-8687, phillytour.comrnDevout followers can find inspiration at some of the region’s religious shrines. A new Catholic Shrine Tour by Philadelphia Trolley Works brings people to four of the most popular ones: National Shrine of Saint John Neumann, National Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel, National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia and Museum of the Miraculous Medal Shrine. August 2, 3, 15; September 17-24. Independence Visitor Center, 6th & Market Streets, (215) 389-8687, phillytour.comrnInternational Appeal:rnrnPope Francis’ Latino heritage is expected to inspire many Latinos to make a pilgrimage to Philadelphia for this historic event, and the city is prepared to greet them in their native tongue. At the Independence Visitor Center, visitors learn about attractions in Independence National Historical Park thanks to brochures in a dozen languages, including Spanish, Russian, Korean, Arabic, German and more. There, they can also book advance reservations for tours in Spanish and other languages with several tour companies such as Philadelphia Urban Adventures, Philly by Segway and Philadelphia Personal Tours. 5th & Market Streets, (800) 537-7676, phlvisitorcenter.comrnVISIT PHILADELPHIA’s self-guided New Americans Tour, downloadable in Spanish French and Mandarin on the Mayor’s Office of Immigrants and Multicultural Affairs’ website (phila.gov/ima), leads visitors to historic sites that tell the story of the United States’ founding. visitphilly.com/newamericansrnInfo On The Go:rnrnWith hundreds of special events, exhibitions and other activities being planned throughout the region, the WMOF is developing a free app to help visitors easily find things to see and do. Expected to be released later this summer, the app includes happenings in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties and will focus on activities taking place from September 18-29 in order to serve families before, during and after the conference and papal visit. worldmeeting2015.orgrnThe city’s official visitor information website visitphilly.com and what’s-happening-now blog uwishunu.com provides up-to-date information about events, exhibition, hotels, itineraries, restaurants and everything else that will help visitors make the most of their visits. The sites are also available in mobile-friendly formats for guests on the go.rnVISIT PHILADELPHIA® makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county area.rnrnOn Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.