One of the things we did before starting the trip was research museums with reciprocal agreements. We had benefited from this years ago when we did our first cross country and went to children's museums across the USA. This time we looked for the best bang for our buck. The boys are to an age that children's museums are pretty much "if you've seen one, you've seen them all". It was time to move up in the world. After lots of hunting we decided on the Corning Museum of Glass for our membership as they had reciprocals on three different lists! This paid off in Philly in spades - we went to 7 different museums for free with our membership. Although some of the museums are free anyway they list themselves on the lists to encourage people to come.
First stop the Scientific History Institute. They had a really neat exhibit about the progression of chemistry through the ages - from alchemy to home science kits.
Next stop - The Franklin Institute. We started there at 10:15 and left when the doors closed at 5. Sweet's favorite item was the automaton. Gherkin had done a tinker crate with them last year and we have fallen in love with audio books and "read" The Invention of Hugo Cabret over breakfast last spring.
The next day we did the Museum of the American Revolution. Sorry no photos - it was the end of the day and we were tired!
The next day held the Wagner Institute - they request that you not take any photos inside so here is the front door. Built in the late 1800's it is an amazing facility with over 160 cases of specimens from the natural world. From minerals to mink the collection was unbelievable.
On our last day in Philly we did the rounds of the museums! The Seaport Museum, The Federal Reserve, and The Constitution Museum.
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| Dill imparting knowledge learned on The EAGLE |
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| Gherkin at the Helm |
At the Seaport we toured the Cruiser Olympia which was an Admiral's Ship. As we entered the officers quarters we were reminded of the Ticonderoga that we toured in Shelbourne with the wood detail.
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| Officers Row |
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| JR officers ward room |
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| More knowledge to the next generation - and finding errors in the help sheets! |
In the afternoon we went to the Federal Reserve to see their Money in Motion exhibit (no photos due to security issues).
Finally we closed out the day at the Constitution Museum. Dill got to pose with his hero!
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| Thank you Alexander! |
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