George Washington's Office Unearthed In Old City (Phil)

CBS 3 Philadelphia ^ | June 20, 2007 | Mary Stoker Smith

[Pharmboy]

(CBS 3) PHILADELPHIA The archaeological dig at Independence Mall has uncovered another historical treasure.

Archaeologists have been working furiously in Old City for the past couple months, revealing the foundation of George Washington’s former office.

“We could never have expected to find a find like this. Things that have such cultural value,” said Ed Lawler of the Independence Mall Association.

A foundation fragment from the first president’s office can now be seen protruding from the ground.

“We think that may be the corner where the north wall of the office met the west wall of the office,” said Lawler.

The uncovered office is where Washington met with his Cabinet, and generals discussed military strategy.

“Now we have the artifact of the office of the president. We have the underground passage that was used by the servants, including he enslaved. We have the bow window that Washington adds that later is echoed in the Oval Office,” said Lawler.

The house that was destroyed in 1832 has answered many questions for city historians.

“The wonderful thing about the archeology is that is validates both the presidents and the enslaved,” said Lawler.

The historical site will remain opened to visitors until the weekend after the Fourth of July.

[Pharmboy]

Great find! Go to the source and watch the video...

[Pharmboy]

The Washington Family Coat of Arms

The RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list

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I do not know how to post a direct link to the video--could one of you digitally-enhanced Freepers do that please?

[arderkrag]

On a side note, Washington's desk calendar was found, marked with an entry for September 28, 1781 that reads, "Buy a bagel. Pick up milk & eggs on way home. Kill British guys."

[Pharmboy]

LOL! But I just want to clarify that this office dates from his presidency which began in 1789 in NYC and then moved to Philadelphia 15 months later.

[arderkrag]

Everyone knows that highly successful people will often leave their desk calendars unused for long periods of time. If you’re anything like me, sometimes you have 2 or 3 out of date calendars floating around.

[Hazcat]

Funny, when I think about cities built on cities I think of Europe not the US.

This is facinating.

[Pharmboy]

Next time you’re in NYC, go downtown to Pearl Street and see the foundation of the Dutch Stadt Huys (State House) built in the 17th Century. It is preserved under glass near a skyscraper down there...

[arderkrag]

Actually, a lot of American cities were built like that. You get a lot of building on top of older levels in cities on coastlines, due to the faster deterioration and the fact that the buildings sink so much faster. Reference Savannah, here in my home state, for some good finds. A great many of the older, historically significant buildings (The Pirate’s House, great example) have had to have structural work done to keep them from sinking any further. infact, it was during such work that the “Pirate Tunnel” beneath the Pirate’s house was unearthed, if i remember correctly.

[true_blue_texican]

...in cities on coastlines, due to the faster deterioration and the fact that the buildings sink so much faster.

You mean the ocean causes this deterioration and not Global Warming? Who'd a thunk it? Quick, somebody let Al in on this!

[HYPOCRACY]

They had slaves in Philadelphia? I also thought Washington freed all his slaves after the war?

[RDTF]

super kewl

[Cheburashka]

They had slaves in Philadelphia? I also thought Washington freed all his slaves after the war?

---

No, WAshington put in his will that all his slaves were to be freed after Martha died.

http://www.mountvernon.org/learn/meet_george/index.cfm/ss/101/

[LiveFreeOrDie2001]

Hey - Why do we have to dig to make these finds?

Does that mean the Earth is getting BIGGER??

If so, then it's closer to the Sun and THAT EXPLAINS Global Warming...???

[hedgetrimmer]

Thanks for another fascinating article.

[hedgetrimmer]

In other news....

Independence Hall Adopts New Security Procedure
(CBS 3) PHILADELPHIA Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia’s Old City section has decided to implement new security procedures.

The new screening process allows visitors with no bags or packages to pass through quickly, without going through a metal detector.

Security will still ask visitors with bags or packages to open them for inspection.

The new security plan includes moving visitor screenings out of Old City Hall and into a new Visitor Use Area. The Visitor Use Area is currently under construction and will be open later this year.

http://cbs3.com/local/local_story_170131007.html

[No Truce With Kings]

“They had slaves in Philadelphia?”

Slavery was legal in most of the 13 states in the 1700s. It was abolished in all of the Northern States, with the last state, New York, freeing all slaves by 1826.

New York took so long because there were so many slaves in New York. They numbered in the tens of thousands. I believe at the time New York voted in abolition (which was 1801 or so) they had more slaves than any other state except Virginia. New York phased out slavery over a 25-year period as I recall.

Virginia almost passed a similar law in the 1790s. Shame it did not pass. Would have changed American history significantly.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Pharmboy.

To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. Thanks.

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[aculeus]

Thanks for posting.

[Pharmboy]

The old NYC slave market/auction was where present-day Wall St. meets the East River.

Allow me to offer a correction or two. Slavery was abolished in NY in 1827. Earlier (I think 1799) no new slaves could be brought in. Also, NY had FAR fewer slaves than in the south, where they were mainly fieldworkers, whereas in NY they were mainly house slaves. The census from 1790:

NY had 21,00 slaves and 5 colonies had more than that. See here for source

[stainlessbanner]

The Yankees sold their slaves South to the plantations and had no problem with buying cotton, tobacco, and other agricultural products produced with this system. While slavery may have been outlawed up north, many northern cities barred blacks from living, voting, or moving about freely.