Masons, Halls and an Alley

We managed a visit to the Masonic Library today. The building - made of Egyptian granite - is next to City Hall and for me seems to channel Aberdeen's Town House!

The interior is astonishing and the blip is of the Egyptian Hall.  But there was also the Ionic Hall, the Gothic Hall, the Norman Hall etc.  Grandeur on an amazing scale and well worth a visit.  Washington's masonic apron on display along with many artefacts from Benjamin Franklin and the various Grand Masters of the lodge.

Then on to Carpenter's Hall (which is closing for a year from tonight for renovations).  This is where the first congress was held to plan to break away from George III's rule. A very significant location in the history of the USA.  Next extra shows the hall which held 56 people at the congress.

Finally on to Elfreth's Alley - final extra - the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the USA from the early 18th century (one guidebook says 1702:  a notice on the street says 1713!).  Still, a long time!  Philadelphia is steeped in American history.