William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
History Underground
Independence National Historical Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Independence National Historical Park preserves more than 2,000,000 archeological artifacts on site.
History is all around you, even beneath your feet.
Since the 1950s, archeologists at Independence National Historical Park have conducted "digs," uncovering objects belonging to Native Americans, free and enslaved African Americans, and Philadelphians from diverse ethnic backgrounds and economic classes. One excavation revealed the foundations of Benjamin Franklin's house as well as teacups, peach pits, and even a toothbrush.
These unearthed artifactsoften discarded as trash by their long-ago ownersoffer a glimpse into the lives of people in the past. Look for archeological finds throughout Independence National Historical Park.
What will your trash reveal about you to future archeologists?
[Captions:]
Recovered artifactslike shoes, combs, buttons, and a child's toyare a window into the past.
Archeologist with visitors at the President's House Site excavations in 2007.
Archeologists excavating the National Constitution Center site recovered ceramics from the early 1800s.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is
this page online
Location. 39° 57.079′ N, 75° 8.982′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. It is on Market Street (County Road 2004) east of North 6th Street (County Road 2005), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 599 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Vibrant Neighborhood (here, next to this marker); Preserving America's Treasures (here, next to this marker); Stephen Tyng Mather (a few steps from this marker); Second Street, North of Market Street with Christ Church. (within shouting distance of this marker); The Names of the People Who Lived on This Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Indelible (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Indelible (within shouting distance of this marker); Promoting the Abolition of Slavery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 20, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
