Explore Pennsylvania, the Keystone State
We had a great trip in Pennsylvania. The Keystone State is one of the oldest states in the USA. We loved discovering more about the country’s history.
After visiting the historical attractions in Philadelphia, we decided to explore the city’s artistic side. Many of the city’s buildings are covered with huge murals (paintings on the walls of buildings or houses). In 1984, the city began the Mural Art Program. This program invites local artists to create art for the public. There are more murals in Philadelphia than in any other city in the country!
Walking down South Street we saw a special gallery with its outside walls decorated entirely in mosaics. Mosaics are pieces of glass, tile and stone assembled together to create neat designs. Sam and I wanted to know more about the building. We went inside and found out that it’s called “Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens.” It was strange to walk through all the decorated rooms. The inside walls of the rooms, just like the outside walls, are also covered with mosaics. In the mosaics we saw faces, unique shapes and patterns. It felt like we were in a maze.
An artist by the name of Isaiah Zagar created the gallery. Many of his ideas were influenced by his travels around the world and the art that he saw on his trips. Isaiah’s artwork is also featured on more than 100 walls in Philadelphia!
After spending time in the city, we went to a small town called Allentown. The Lenni Lenape Historical Society hosts a corn festival here, called the Annual Roasting Ears of Corn Festival. The festival celebrates the corn harvest for the upcoming year. We didn’t want to miss it! We saw people dancing and vendors selling silver jewelry. We tried traditional foods like buffalo stew and corn soup. We met a woman selling Indian tacos who was part of the Lenni Lenape Nation.
The Lenni Lenapi Nation is a group of Native Americans that came to the area thousands of years ago. The culture of this tribe in Allentown is strong since the tribe still practices traditions of their antecessors, like this corn harvesting celebration. We also found out that the name Lenni Lenape, means “true,” or “real” people, and that there are about 16,000 members of the Lenni Lenape Nation still living in the USA today.
Learn more about Pennsylvania by scrolling on to the Favorites, Activity and Photos sections.
Your friends,
Sam and Sofia
Sam’s Favorites
City: Philadelphia
Visiting Philadelphia with its cobblestone streets, colonial houses and Philly cheesesteaks was amazing. Founded in the 1600s, Philly has a story to tell on every street.
Historical Site: Independence Hall
Looking at Independence Hall, I felt proud to be an American! It was here that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, marking our country’s independence from England.
Outdoor Space: Swan Memorial Fountain
Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Logan Square, this fountain features frogs, turtles, fish and swans. The fountain was named after the founder of Philadelphia’s Fountain Society, Dr. Wilson Cary Swann.
Sofia’s Favorites
City: Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is a magnet for people who like art. From the Andy Warhol Museum to the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, there’s never a dull moment.
Historical Site: Lincoln Memorial
This memorial honors President Abraham Lincoln, who delivered the Gettysburg Address at the National Cemetery of Gettysburg during the Civil War. The speech is about equality and freedom.
Outdoor Space: Longwood Gardens
Visiting Longwood Gardens in the town of Kennett Square was a lot of fun. There were dozens of different gardens, featuring pretty collections of trees and flowers. These gardens are considered some of the best botanical gardens in the USA.
Make American Flag Crackers
The first American flag was designed and sewn by the Pennsylvania seamstress, Betsy Ross. The Philadelphia home where Ross created the flag is now a historical landmark. The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 states of America, while the combined 13 red and white stripes represent the original 13 colonies. Follow the recipe below to create your own American flag crackers!
Ingredients
- 2 graham crackers
- ½ cup of cream
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- A pinch of powdered sugar
- Medium whisk
Instructions
- Pour the cream into a bowl and add the sugar.
- Using the whisk, begin whipping the cream until it begins to thicken.
- Lay out your crackers on a plate. Using a knife, spread the whipped cream on the crackers evenly.
- Create two small rows of blueberries in the top left corner of each cracker. These blueberries will represent the stars.
- Lay out the raspberries on each cracker in three rows. These raspberries will represent the stripes. Enjoy your American flag crackers!