Building independence

Join the Carpenters’ Company of the City and County of Philadelphia and Historic Philadelphia Inc. on weekends from Saturday, September 7th to Sunday, October 27th, 2024 for historical scenes with live actors! These short vignettes will explore the First Continental Congress through the lens of delegates, their families, and everyday folk of the period.

There will be performances at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm every Saturday and Sunday. One scene will be repeated each day! No reservations or tickets are required to attend.

Carpenters’ Hall hosted the First Continental Congress from September 5th to October 26th, 1774. Fifty-six delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies attended, including seven delegates from Pennsylvania, to formulate a response to Great Britain’s increasing taxation and censure on the colonies. Carpenters’ Hall, privately owned and operated then as it is today, was the perfect place for the delegates to meet away from the prying eyes of the King’s agents. While this meeting did not produce an immediate call for revolution, it did unite the colonies in a way they had not been united before. As Patrick Henry exclaimed in a passionate speech on the floor of Carpenters’ Hall: “I am not a Virginian. I am an American.”

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of this foundational event in American history, The Carpenters’ Company of the City and County of Philadelphia, founded in 1724, will partner with Historic Philadelphia Inc. on Building Independence. On weekends in September and October, actors in Carpenters' Hall will perform vignettes featuring First Continental Congress delegates, their spouses, and even common folk of the time. Rather than a recreation or recitation of the Congress itself, these short scenes will escort visitors through the hard decisions that faced the delegates, educate them on the perspectives of the time, and place the First Continental Congress – and Carpenters’ Hall – into the wider timeline of American independence. Free and open to the public. 

Questions about these events or our other Anniversary commemoration activities? Email us at carphall@carpentershall.org.

Scene Descriptions:

I Am Not a Virginian, but an American

See Charles Thomson and Patrick Henry reminisce about the opening days of the Congress. Learn how representatives form different colonies came together to become Americans!

Save Your Money, and Save Your Country

One of the tactics proposed by the Congress to protest British taxes was stopping trade with the Empire. See Patrick Henry and Joseph Galloway argue about this embargo and the proposed union between the colonies.

Letters Home

Fifty-six men served over the 51 days of the first Congress, but they represented more than 2 million colonists. Learn about the effect that their policies had on those at home in these stirring letters between John and Abigail Adams and Elizabeth and John Rutledge.

What of the Common Man?

Slavery was one of many subjects discussed by the First Continental Congress. Charles Thomson has a discussion with Abraham, the enslaved servant of another delegate, and Sarah, a free woman hired to clean the meeting room.

The “I” Word

Although not one of the goals of the Congress, Independence was on the mind of many who attended.  Hear heated arguments from John Adams and John Dickinson as they reflect on the work of the First Continental Congress and the possible future of the colonies.

Schedule of Performances

Saturday, September 7th: I Am Not a Virginian, but an American

Sunday, September 8th: Save Your Money, and Save Your Country

Saturday, September 14th: I Am Not a Virginian, but an American

Sunday, September 15th: The "I" Word

Saturday, September 21st: Letters Home

Sunday, September 22nd: I Am Not a Virginian, but an American

Saturday, September 28th: Save Your Money, and Save Your Country

Sunday, September 29th: I Am Not a Virginian, but an American

Saturday, October 5th: The "I" Word

Sunday, October 6th: What of the Common Man?

Saturday, October 12th: What of the Common Man?

Sunday, October 13th: Save Your Money, and Save Your Country

Saturday, October 19th: The "I" Word

Sunday, October 20th: Letters Home

Saturday, October 26th: Letters Home

Sunday, October 27th: What of the Common Man?