Another Fall in Philadelphia

As the 2011 tourism season is slowly winding down at the burial ground, I try to enjoy each nice day that is left before I scramble to locate my hat and gloves and embrace winter. On a Wednesday in early November, we had an awesome fall day. It was so nice and I didn’t want to pull myself from this rare autumn treat but I needed to attend a Wednesday after service at Christ Church. A small group gathered for service and to witness (a man celebrating his 100th birthday) a renewing of vows in the very church where this man’s ancestor Captain Oswald Eve married Anne Moore on June 2nd, 1744. In itself this proved to be an interesting event to attend, but I was there in memory of a wedding that never happened in Christ Church. 

If I am allowed to pick a favorite person of the over 4,000 people (interred in our burial ground) in my charge, it would not be Franklin or Hopkinson. I would pick Dr. Benjamin Rush, a kindred soul and my unofficial spirit guide. In recent times, I’ve identified with Rush on my levels including on a personal one. In my current studies of the Yellow Fever epidemic, I found it prudent to read the two volumes of Rush’s letters that I have. His letters give an intriguing look into the mind of a Revolutionary mind in the midst of the founding of our nation. His letters were written to various people including other founding fathers on many topics but the ones I find the most interesting were the ones to dearest Julia, his wife. His letters to me paint a picture of a real man with real problems and makes him seem more human then most founders. Benjamin and Julia had a long and loving relationship, he knew her all her life (he was 12 years older) and they shared a great bond. But what most people may not know that his heart once belonged to another. Many years before Ben married Julia he was in love with Sarah Eve, the daughter of Captain Oswald Eve. Ben and Sarah were to be married but she fell ill and died of Tuberculosis on December 4th, 1774. A funeral was held for her in Christ Church where they were to be wed. She was buried at the Christ Church Burial Ground, yet her marker no longer exists and it’s not known where she is buried. From most accounts Rush never seemed to fully get over this, even though he refused to ever speak of it. Even though Ben and Julia would later be married and have a love story for the ages, his love tragedy always stuck with him. When I read of this Ben’s great loss I couldn’t help but shed a tear for a man who never got to marry the woman he had been destined to be with. To me, its always been important to humanize the founding fathers, and I am always trying to learn more about them and their lives on a personal basis. 

Julia Stockton Rush

Dr. Benjamin Rush 

I will be participating in the First Person Arts Festival on November 20th, 1-4pm, along with other colleges from Christ Church. The even (1pm to 4pm) begins at Neighborhood House (20 N. American st) and will continue with a tour led by me of my personal experiences at the burial ground. For more info check out -

firstpersonarts.org 




- Hop

There With Bell On

I couldn’t help but grin and glow with a smug sense of historic presence as I gripped tightly onto the 309 year old church bell as it wildly swung in its wooden frame. I rode in the back of a red pickup truck that carried our 1702 bell. It was a beautiful September Sunday morning as we processed south on 2nd Street. The journey from 2nd and Market Streets to Saint Peter’s Church was a mission to help them celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of that church. 

The trip began inside Christ Church at the start of the 9 am service. The Rector said a few words, some of the youngest parishioners rang the historic bell a few times, and then we wheeled the bell out to the courtyard. A group of parishioners from both churches gathered to jointly march from our service to the service at Saint Peter’s. We followed with our bell in an attempt to recreate the events of 1761. When Saint Peter’s originally opened, a group of parishioners and church leaders marched from Christ Church to Saint Peter’s with this bell to kick off their first service. Our vestry minutes described the procession that details the sexton, clergy, and wardens leading the way. That is pretty much the people who were in the truck as we went to church on Sunday. I do wonder how long the original procession took because the muddy grounds and bad roads that made it difficult to travel to Christ Church is the reason Saint Peter’s was built. Not many people were on the streets to witness this event as we paraded down the sleepy Sunday morning street with a 309 year old bell in the back of a borrowed gravedigger’s truck. I must admit I did get chills when I rang the bell as we passed by Bishop White’s house and the homes of others connected to our history, including John Penn’s house that was a pit stop on the first trip. 

When we arrived at St. Peter’ Church, a nice size crowd greeted us and helped remove the bell and place it outside the church doors. The celebration and service was great and I even got to meet the Mayor again. All in all, the parishioners of Saint Peter’s put on a great birthday bash and I was happy to be a small part of it. There was a picnic in the churchyard as we quietly re-loaded the bell on the truck and brought it back home to Christ Church. I was a bit concerned that Saint Peter’s might think that the bell was a birthday gift, and I was relieved when it returned to the north aisle of Christ Church. 

The whole day made me think of Henry Harrison who is buried in our burial ground. He was the vestryman responsible for the creation of Saint Peter’s. I always like to include Mayor Harrison in my tours because after all he was the person who had the idea for the lottery that raised money for the steeple of Christ Church, even though Franklin, who sold the tickets, often gets that credit. 

Now I must go to wish a happy 274th birthday to Francis Hopkinson! 

- Hop

P.S. I also recommend a new way to look at history by checking out my colleague, Neil's blog at www.historymadefresh.blogspot.com - New posts frequently!

Hop VS. Nature

As fall begins and summer unofficially ends in the tourism world, a mild calm echoes through the trees like a breeze inside our serene two acres. I reflect on the summer past but more so on the last weeks of August.It started with an earthquake and by the end of the week, I feared that I was gonna get caught in the eye of a hurricane. 

On a slow and quiet Tuesday afternoon, an earthquake hit Virginia and was felt here in Philly by many people. Sitting here in my peaceful marble orchard, I did not feel a thing. It wasn’t until the burial ground suddenly got busy (because many nearby buildings had been evacuated) that I found out about the earthquake. I soon got word that the church and trust staff working in our 100 year old Neighborhood House felt the building shake and the tour guides in the church reported rumblings and the swaying of our 1744 chandelier. I spent the rest of the day checking our burial ground walls and gravestones for any damage and luckily there was none at the burial ground or the church. The funny thing is that the night before, my house cat Lolita was acting really strange and I asked, “What’s a matter with her- is an earthquake coming?” - knowing full well that earthquakes don’t happen here in Philly. The earthquake made me recall something I once read in our vestry minutes about the church wanting to buy earthquake insurance and it made me chuckle. 

The earthquake talk slowly erupted into warnings of a hurricane that was poised to hit land in our area by the weekend. In anticipation of the storm that was to bring strong winds, I made sure to batten down the hatches around the property including securing anything in the burial ground that could become a flying disaster. 

Hurricane Irene was expected to hit our area over night Saturday into Sunday morning which would put a damper on the streak of not missing a Sunday service here for 315 straight years. Because of recent leaks in our Neighborhood House archives and other parts of the building, Rector #20 needed someone to be on site to watch over and protect our properties during the storm. And that somebody was me. After working a rainy Saturday afternoon wedding at Christ Church, I went home to gear up for spending the night at Neighborhood House. I returned at 10pm with my Ben Franklin pillow and blanket and set up a nest not far from a letter with a Ben Franklin signature on it. As the storm raged outside, I readied myself for a night of hurricane detail. I was to check all possible leak areas in the building throughout the night. The area of greatest concern was the archives of Christ Church, which has recently had leak issues. For the most part, the archives didn’t need as much attention as other parts of the building and luckily the storm wasn’t half as bad as predicted. I must admit it was kinda neat to hang out with the memories of the ancients in the Neighborhood House as the rains and winds screamed outside. Every so often, I would stand in the atrium and stare out through the glass window listening to the rain. Somehow no matter how much the weather raged beyond the glass, I received comfort from looking at the stained glass Patriots’ Window. I knew that no matter what I could always find safety and comfort in the voices of the past. 

By the time 7 am arrived, I had about an hour or so of sleep time (which is usual for me). Luckily, I found some coffee in the Washburn House kitchen and it gave me the energy I needed to walk around the churchyard and pick up the many scattered branches outside and then open the church for service. 

After the service began, I made my way to the burial ground hoping that there wasn’t much damage there. Several scattered branches were around the grounds and I noticed a downed branch in Section C resting on several stones. One headstone had two pieces knocked off the top, but it could easily be repaired. I documented the damage and got out the Clark book to see if I could identify the stone. It is the grave of Wm Denman who died at age 4. The inscription, now faded, is one of the most interesting inscriptions we have in the Clark book. I did some research on who the Denman’s were and thanks to my iPhone, I discovered a portrait of William’s parents painted by Gilbert Stuart. I hope to find out more about this family as I continue my research. 

I found it neat that these blank stones that we wander past each day tell more stories than we can ever imagine. The silver lining of the storm is that it brought to my lips names that most likely would never be spoken. As much as storms rage throughout the year, it is never the end of the world. For me, when I am in the burial ground I always feel fine. 

- Hop

Learn to Count

When I’m not doing my crypt-keeping thing, I help out part time as sexton at the church. This is usually when I’m not at the burial ground, mostly holidays, weddings, funerals and Sundays. Since I am the key master, I’m usually the first person on site to unlock Christ Church and prepare it for services. 

Last Sunday, it was another humid Philly morning, so I got there a bit early to open windows and put on the fans. As I was heading up the north aisle of the church, the white marble plaque for John Waller James caught my eye. Now I have read this tablet a million times but on this day my eyes were quickly drawn to the date of his death which was August 14th, 1836. That would be 175 years ago this week that Reverend James died. 

Reverend James' Vault

Reverend James was the assistant minister who served under the aging and ill Bishop William White for four years. During his term as assistant minister, Reverend James introduced many new ideas to the church and was beloved by the members of the congregation. Many of his ideas, like the newer slip pews that we now have, were implemented after his death. When Bishop William White died on July 17th, 1836, Reverend John Waller James was elected as the next Rector of Christ Church. 

Before Reverend James began his time as Rector, he took a few days to visit his father in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. During his visit, he became sick with dysentery and died. His body was returned to the city of Philadelphia for the burial in the Christ Church vault, located on the northwest side of the church. Ironically, he was laid to rest just a few feet from Bishop William White whom he had laid to rest a few weeks earlier. 

Under the palladium window is the resting place of Bishop William White

Even though his term as Rector was about a month long, the congregation fondly remembered the eleventh Rector in Christ Church history. By all accounts, James was most one of the most revered assistant ministers in this church’s past. The members of Christ Church lamented his passing so much that money was quickly raised to erect the white memorial tablet that resides on the north wall of Christ Church. I also found in the 1836 vestry minutes that called for a church to be built in his honor in the town where he died.

While researching the list of Rectors of Christ Church I found a discrepancy. Even though James only served as Rector for a month, he is included on all lists of church ministers. For some reason, John Urmston, the third Rector who served in 1723, is excluded from some lists. Urmston was removed by the Vestry because of several scandals and replaced by Richard Welton. I find it weird that we remember James who served for a month but leave Urmston off the list because of his politics. I am here to say that I remember all the Rectors who served Christ Church. So if we include Urmston, then our current Rector is not the nineteenth Rector as most say, but he is the twentieth Rector. It is not my job to judge, just to remember. And remember I do.

-Hop

Go The Distance

      From my graveyard tan, I can tell we are deep into another Philadelphia summer. Like the summers of my youth, the Philadelphia baseball team is great once again. I believe my love of Franklin and passion for the burial ground can only be matched with my passion for baseball and my unconditional love of the Fighting Phillies. As I have mentioned many times before, I can connect the burial ground to almost anything in the universe and that doesn’t stop with the baseball diamond. 

Phils First Baseball Team, 1883
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How can I connect Christ Church to baseball? Last Sunday I spent a hot but winning afternoon at the Phillies Ballpark. As I sat in my seat high above home plate, I remembered that these were the best seats to see the steeple of Christ Church in the distance over the centerfield wall. As I removed my cap for the singing of the National Anthem, I looked at the large American flag and thought about Francis Hopkinson, the signer of the Declaration and designer of the American Flag who attended Christ Church and is buried at Christ Church Burial Ground. Even the National Anthem itself reminded me that I need to start cracking on my ideas for the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 and its connection to Christ Church. My mind drifted back to baseball and the game at hand against our enemies to the west from Pittsburgh. On the huge new scoreboard were various ads which appeared from inning to inning. My “Hop grin” appeared when I saw an ad for Franklin Square, the Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Zoo. The most nerdish moment was when the Phils newest player, Hunter Pence, stepped up to bat and I turned to my friend and said, “Hey, did you know that in 1719 they purchased the graveyard for 72 pounds, 16 shillings and 1 pence?” I know, I know, I’m spending too much time in the sun. 

Can You Find It?
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When I think my favorite baseball movie Field of Dreams, it reminds me of the burial ground and the process of re-opening it. No not the part about hearing voices, I will never officially admit to that, but of the classic line, “Open it and they will come.” I think I can safely say that more than a decade ago, no one could have ever imagined that over 60,000 people would visit the burial ground, let alone pay money to do so. In baseball and in life I feel that you gotta believe! It’s all about faith. I have faith that people will continue to visit our historic and sacred grounds for reasons they may not even understand. I have faith that we will continue to use the funds we collect to preserve the grounds and the memory of those buried beneath our soil. And of course I have faith that I will be taking off a day of work this fall to watch a World Series parade stroll down Broad Street. 

2008 World Series Parade
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Go Phillies!!!

- Hop

I concur, Kevin Costner.

You Don't Know Richard

As I was working on my latest blog, I heard the news that the Ben Franklin Post Office may be shut down. I was sad to hear that because I know it serves the many tourists who visit our city each day. I always use it because it is the closest post office to the church plus all mail sent from there gets hand stamped with B Free Franklin postmark. I am hoping that perhaps someone will step in and save it. 

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It occurred to me that we have the first two Postmaster Generals buried at the Christ Church Burial Ground. In fact, their graves are right next to each other. Ben Franklin was the first Postmaster General and served for 15 months from 1775 until his son- in- law Richard Bache took over in 1776 and served until 1781. 

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July 29, 2011 will be the 200th anniversary of the death of Richard Bache. One of the most frequently asked questions I get at the burial ground each day is “Who are Richard and Sarah Bache?” Because of the close proximity of the Bache grave to that of Ben and Deborah Franklin, it makes folks wonder who they are. 

Very few people are aware that Ben had a daughter named Sarah and that she married Richard Bache. I always tell people about Sarah and her involvement in the Ladies’ Association, one of the leading fundraising organizations of the Revolutionary War. Richard Bache, an immigrant merchant from England, moved to Philadelphia, met Sarah, fell in love and they were married at Christ Church on October 29th 1767. In addition to his service as Postmaster General, he served on the Board of War. 

Working here at the graveyard, it is safe to say that every day is someone’s birthday and death date. It is impossible for me to know about and acknowledge most of the dates for the over 4000 souls buried here, but I do the best I can. When I know about or am reminded of one of these anniversaries, I privately remember them with flowers or a small prayer or even a shout of Happy Birthday at their faded marble stone. 

So I just wanted to give a shout out to Richard Bache and remind people that he was much more than a name they can’t pronounce or even heard of.

- Hop

The image, _MG_5113-Benjamin Franklin’s Grave, was originally uploaded at Flickr by Elwyn who owns its copyright and can be contacted at the previous link. The image is posted here with that owner’s permission bybarneykin, administrator of “The Revolution ed” pool.(12)

The image Ben Franklin Post office, was orginally uploaded by blogger http://thekchorns.com/?s=ben+franklin&search=Search, who owns its copyright and can be contacted at the previous link.

Forever and Ever Amen

It’s weird when I run into people that I haven’t seen in a while and they ask me if I’m still working at the graveyard. I always seemed surprised by the question and answer “Of course, I never plan to leave.” I know many people believe that you shouldn’t stay in one place for too long or you become that place. I have always felt like I am a part of the burial ground and I don’t plan to quit my position any time soon. If I ever did leave the burial ground, I know that I would return at some point in the form of ashes and stay forever among my friends. 

As I reflect fondly on the past nine summers here, I am very proud of all the preservation work we have done-restoring the physical stones and ground as well as resurrecting the memories of all those whose names haven’t been spoken in over a hundred years. 

As I sit and write this on the black bench near Rush’s grave, I think of all the goals and plans I have for the burial ground in years to come. There are many stones that wait to be repaired and many plaques that need to be set in place, such as the marker for Charles Mason. I have plans to create new events and tours for next year including the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the continuation of the celebration of Ben’s Day and Signers’ Day. I also have the burial ground’s 300th birthday to plan for in 2019. 

So ole Hop plans to be shaking his keys around here until my work is complete. Each year we learn and discover new information about people and things in the burial ground and I can’t wait to see what we unearth next. I am very excited about what the future will tell us about the past, for years to come. 

-Hop

Treason in a Signature

Sitting at my desk in my apartment putting the final touches on my Signers’ Day speech, I can see and hear the distant fireworks celebrating Independence Week. I have grown too old to battle the crowds to hear the patriotic music they are playing near the Ben Franklin Bridge. I find some Springsteen on my IPod as I continue to write and watch the fireworks. I have never been completely wowed by fireworks but I must admit that the patriotic music does sometimes get to me. 

It seems hard to believe that we are celebrating our 7th annual Signers’ Day this year. I’m so proud of the holiday that we at Christ Church have developed to honor America and celebrate the lives of the seven signers of the Declaration of Independence buried on Christ Church grounds. The idea of this holiday was sparked by discussions between Neil and me about creating a day to honor Francis Hopkinson. We decided that it would only be fair to honor all 7 signers, thus began Signers’ Day. We needed to pick a date and even though I wanted to use August 2nd (the date most men signed), we decided to connect to Welcome America celebrations and present it the day before Independence Day. The staff at Christ Church would agree that Signers’ Day has not only become our signature event but also the most fun day for all. 

I feel it is our duty to teach visitors about the signers other than Ben Franklin. I find it interesting that on July 4th, 1788 Francis Hopkinson honored the country he helped create by organizing “a grand procession,” the largest parade (at that point) in American history, yet today he is virtually unknown. So happy Signers’ Day and thank you to Benjamin Franklin, Joseph Hewes, Francis Hopkinson, George Ross, Dr. Benjamin Rush, James Wilson and Robert Morris! 

- Hop

Family Ties

It has been almost a month since I took the cap off my pen to write. It has been a tough time for me since my father died on May 19th. So last week, I decided to take a break and spend time wandering around the streets of Boston. My much needed vacation took me to many historic sites including graveyards in the Boston area. Among those I visited was Old Granary Burying Ground, where Franklin’s parents are buried. While in Bean Town I also found my way to the Charlestown Navy Yard, where my old friend William Bainbridge worked and where the ship he commanded, Old Ironsides, now resides. As I walked around the USS Constitution Museum I found that Isaac Hull was frequently mentioned. Looking at the displays, I blurted out to myself and whoever else was near that Hull was buried in our burial ground for a few weeks before he was reinterred at Laurel Hill. My sorrow- filled mind opened up again and I was back in business for some inspiration. I could suddenly hear a new tour being sewn together inside my mind. 

It was nice to take time to do nothing but blow around town like an empty potato chip bag dancing in the wind. I found myself on Breeds Hill/Bunker Hill where my pen really began to sing. It’s a good thing too because our holiday Signers’ Day is coming up on July 3rd and until now I had not thought about my speech. 

After leaving Charlestown, I made my way to 21 Milk Street and visited the spot where Ben Franklin was born and spent his early life. It is now occupied by a modern building and seemed to be unmarked as to its importance until I looked up and saw a bust of Franklin and words in marble indicating this site as the birthplace of Ben. I left a holly leaf from the tree near Ben Franklin’s grave on the ground where he took his first breaths and learned how to walk and talk. I was smiling like a goofball as I stood there in awe. Then, I left Milk Street and went to a game at historic Fenway Park. 

On my train ride home to Philadelphia, I reflected on my trip and opened up my notebook and began to write my Signers’ Day speech. Thinking of my dad, I scratched out a few lines about remembrance and the speech just came together. I was now ready for Welcome America Festival and the busy week ahead in Philadelphia. 

When I return to Philly I made a quick stop at the burial ground and in a sentimental gesture, I took a pinch of dirt that I had collected from Ben’s parents grave and placed it on his. As I was standing there, I heard a child’s voice saying, “What is he doing?” I lifted my head and saw that the boy and his family wearing Boston Red Sox hats. I smiled and looked up to the sky knowing the Franklin’s approved. It’s all about family, and I was happy to be back in the burial ground with mine. 

-Hop

Lost Between the Moon and Old City

After the business of Easter at Christ Church was over, I had Easter Monday off. It's very rare for me to have off on a weekday so I took time to lazily roam the streets of South Philly. 

I happened upon a used bookstore and went in to peruse the books in search of a rare gem. I overheard a family with an English accent talking about a book by Thomas Pynchon. When I heard the name Charles Mason, my ears perked up. It doesn't matter where I go- I may leave the burial ground, but it never leaves me. I decided to interrupt this family to brag that the man they spoke about is buried in the Christ Church Burial Ground. They asked which one and after I told them, they informed me that they had visited earlier in the week, and saw no gravestone for Mason. I smiled a Hop smile and went into the story. 

You see, Charles Mason, the famous Astronomer and Surveyor had returned quite ill to Philadelphia from England. Mason had little money and knowing he would die soon and not wanting to be a burden to his wife and eight kids, he reached out to Ben Franklin, his fellow science lover. Franklin received a letter from Mason requesting Franklin find him a proper burial. Franklin called upon Tench Coxe, the warden of Christ Church, and arranged to have Mason buried at the Burial Ground. On October 25, 1786, Mason passed away, and his funeral service was held at Christ Church, a fact we know because of our Burial Ground records. However, we don't have any clue where in the burial ground he is buried. He had no existing marker when Clark wrote the 1864 inscription book. We may never know whether he  had a stone or where Coxe had his remains buried. Mason may be the most famous person buried at our graveyard without a stone or marker of any kind. 

It boggles my mind that no one ever bothered to remember this man with any marker over the last 225 years and that most folks who visited over the years never knew his bones lie here.  Yet, there is a crater on the moon named after him. That's right, we actually have two men buried here with moon craters named for them (of course, the other being Franklin). Last year, I was approached by the Mason Dixon Society, who wanted to put a stone plaque in the Burial Ground to honor him in 2013, just in time for the 250th anniversary of the Mason Dixon Line.

A few months ago, I found in our archives, a piece of paper that allowed Mason's burial here. It states: 

"Permit his excellency, the President, to inter the body of Mr. Mason in Christ Church Burial Ground. Signed, Tench Coxe." 

Franklin was Governor of Pennsylvania and was referred to as "President". I was overjoyed finding this record.
To learn more about other famous "Names Without Stones", take my new tour on Fridays at 5:30 in May, $5 a person, at 5th and Arch Streets.

- Hop

Once Peyton's Place

Most people may not realize that the first man who was referred to as "The Father of our Country" was once buried in our sacred grounds. No, I'm not talking about George Washington, although he was a member of our church and one of his wife's granddaughters is buried in the church yard. I'm talking about Peyton Randolph. Yes, that Peyton Randolph, cousin of Thomas Jefferson and the first president of the United States before we were the United States.

Peyton Randolph was a Virginian lawyer who served many positions in his home state. His positions included VA Attorney General and Representative of Williamsburg in the House of Burgess. He was unanimously elected first president of the Continental Congress. Randolph held this title until October 23, 1775 when he died of a stroke in office. He was replaced by a man named John Handcock, who became famous for his large signature. 

Two days after his death, Peyton Randolph was buried at Christ Church Burial Ground. A funeral was held for him at Carpenter's Hall. The service was conducted by Reverend Jacob Duché, the Chaplin of Congress and Rector of Christ Church. Historically, Duché and Randolph are remembered for September 1, 1774, when President Randolph requested that Reverend Duché read a prayer before they began Congress. This famous first prayer in Congress is captured in the stained glass window that hangs above the entrance of the Christ Church Neighborhood House. 

Peyton Randolph was only buried in our graveyard for a year until his nephew, Edmund Randolph, removed his remains and had them reinterred in the family crypt in the Chapel of William and Mary in his native state of Virginia. 

Many believe believe this man may have gone on to become our nation's first official president, but he is now largely forgotten. Multiple places and towns are named for Randolph, including a street here in Philadelphia. Like so many of the named that are connected to our collective American past, his name is lost in the ages. But I, Hop, will not forget him or the fact that his remains were once in our care.

I have created a new tour called "Names Without Stones" presented Fridays at 5:30 in the month of May. Only $5 a person, these 30 minute tours tell the stories of many others who are buried in our grounds, such as Charles Mason and Ben Franklin Bache, who have no stones. I promise to give a voice to the voiceless. 

- Hop

Double Welcome

I must admit that when I first came up with the Bens’ Day holiday, it was mostly just because it was a cool sounding name.

           Even moments before it began, I didn’t really know what it was going to be. I had a reason for the date and I planned special events, but it wasn’t until I climbed up onto my marble perch to welcome the (surprisingly large) crowd that I realized what I was celebrating. When I looked out into the sea of people, I noticed that I left my speech notes in my green book back at my desk. So I decided to just wing it and my passion for the Burial Ground took over. I spoke straight from my heart about the other 4,000 people not named Ben who we also need to remember. I choose the date to honor Franklin and Rush but in fact we were honoring the memory of all the people that the signers represented. Although we have quite a bit of famous people buried here, I believe that no one in this graveyard is more important than anyone else; it is my duty to be the voice of the mute and I gave names to the nameless stones. It is amazing to me how many stories and the information of those buried here have been lost or forgotten. Each week I learn something new about this beautiful marble orchard. I was so proud to tell my tombstone tales that day, including the story of how I recently unearthed a tombstone of the Mallice family that had been sunk in the dirt for over 150 years. It felt like we hit a grand slam on Bens’ Day. If nothing else, we sold a ton of Dr. Physick Soda .  But I felt I really connected with the people who may have not wandered beyond the marker of Ben Franklin.

            Each day, people are surprised when they find out that there is a charge to visit the Graveyard. But it is days like Bens’ Day when we proudly show off the great preservation work we do here at 5^th and Arch Streets.

– Hop

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Welcome & Ben's Day

As the cold and darkness of winter fades into forgotten memories, I sneeze several times and watch as the spring breathes new life and fresh beginnings into nature around me. I prop my mortal remains on my worn green chair inside the black gift cart and welcome the early morning tourists who seek to toss a coin onto Ben Franklin’s grave. The trees that surround me are happy to be alive, yet all I can think about is death. Death is my life and my life is good. I rarely smile on the outside, but inside I am grinning from ear to ear. How could I not be happy knowing that my chosen purpose in life is to be the crypt keeper for the Philadelphia graveyard that contains the remains of Ben Franklin and over 4,000 other people? Most of the tombstones that marked the grave sites of many American founders look like rows of broken and missing teeth in need of a dentist. Other than Franklin, others buried here are also famous and were important in the creation of the United States of America.

            For nine springs, I have welcomed the changing seasons and the 540,000 visitors who come to our sacred ground, but who is counting? As a caretaker and friend of this graveyard, it is my duty to preserve, respect and honor the memory of all those who lie in these two acres. It is our mission to care for and maintain the stones for future generations so that they come to see and learn from them. The way we remember and protect this site is to ask for a small admissions fee, offer guided tours, and to sell in our small gift cart anything with Ben Franklin’s face on it. I am so very proud of the work we do. We put every penny of the profits we make back into the grounds and the tours we give are presented by some of the most knowledgeable and respected tour guides in Philadelphia.

In honor of our new season, I have created a holiday called Bens’ Day. On Monday, April 18, 2011, we will celebrate our history and officially kick off the 2011 season. We choose April 18^th because it is the day between the death dates of two of our most famous Bens. Franklin died on April 17, 1790 and Dr. Benjamin Rush passed away on April 19, 1813. A small ceremony at Franklin’s grave is at 11 am followed by special events including costumed guides, prizes and samples of Dr. Physick soda. We will present our brand new tour Revolutionary Americans throughout the day. You will also get a chance to meet the Crypt Keeper. Yes, I will be standing by to answer questions and to talk about grave stones I recently unearthed. All that and Hop’s unique take on history. See you in the graveyard!!