Old City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Mechanics' Union of Trade Associations

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, July 5, 2008

1. Mechanics' Union of Trade Associations Marker

Inscription. Formed nearby in 1827 as the first central labor council in the nation; recognized as the beginning of American labor movement. Represented workers as a class, not by craft. Advocated for ten-hour day; engaged in political activism and workers' education.

Erected 2004 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.

Location. 39° 56.912′ N, 75° 8.727′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Old City. It is at the intersection of Chestnut Street and Bank Street, on the right when traveling east on Chestnut Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 231 Chestnut 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: Elliott Building (a few steps from this marker); Washington Crossing the Delaware (a few steps from this marker); Declaration of Independence (a few steps from this marker); The Arsenal of Independence

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The McAllister Family Opthamalic Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Declaration of Independence (within shouting distance of this marker); Secretary of the Treasury’s Office Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Auditor’s Office Site (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . . Mechanics' Union of Trade Associations - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 21, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 5, 2019

2. Mechanics' Union of Trade Associations Marker

Detour sign mounted on marker base.

Marker in Philadelphia image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 25, 2017

3. Marker in Philadelphia

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,549 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 25, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on August 8, 2019. 3. submitted on July 26, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.