The First
White House
A new memorial
commemorates the center of
power in a new nation and
the nine Africans who were
enslaved there
In spring 2007, National Park Service officials
broke ground on the corner of Independence
National Mall, which was the site of the first
presidential residence. From 1790 to 1800
George Washington and John Adams led the
country from a mansion at Sixth and Market
(then High) streets. The archaeological dig
was supposed to last three to six weeks. Artifacts were to be documented and preserved
and a memorial erected to the nine slaves
Washington brought with him from Virginia.
(Adams flatly opposed slavery.) Two, including
ave
Date
Fairmount
the
Marc
Chagall and
His Circle
Opens March 1
Chagall was part of a
group of émigré artists
who gravitated to Montparnasse during the
early 20th century. This
exhibit explores their
works and paintings by
Chagall. Philadelphia
Museum of Art. 215-763-
8100; philamuseum.org
avenue oF the arts
In the Next
Room, or the
Vibrator Play
March 2–April 3
Playwright Sarah Ruhl
imagines a young doctor
in the 1880s who makes
use of a newfangled
stimulating machine to
treat the very Victorian
disorder of hysteria.
The Wilma Theater.
215-546-7824;
wilmatheater.org
CITY GUIDE
Philadelphia
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restaurant and hotel information,
visit arrivecityguides.com
Hercules, Washington’s chef, were said to have
escaped to freedom from Philadelphia.
However, the archaeologists discovered
more than they expected, including the foundation walls for Hercules’ kitchen and for the
bay window that inspired the White House’s
Blue Room and Oval Office. The dig lasted all
summer, and then the project stalled because
of debates about the memorial’s interpretation of the role of slavery in the new nation.
President’s House: Freedom and Slavery
in Making a New Nation finally opened to the
public in December. If the more than 300,000
tourists who took turns climbing the wooden
observation deck during the summer of 2007
to watch the excavation in progress is any
indication, it’s destined to be one of Philadelphia’s most popular historical sites. It’s certainly been one of the most controversial.
phila.gov/presidentshouse.
Outside the Box
the LOVE sculpture
by pop artist robert
indiana is an icon,
and to locals it’s the
inspiration behind the
informal name of John
F. Kennedy Plaza,
the square known
as love Park. many
recognize the piece,
but do they know it
was influenced by
indiana’s childhood
memory of a Phillips
66 gas station sign?
or that the tilting of
the o turns the sculp-
ture into a perfect
square?
Center City
Philadelphia
International
Flower Show
March 6–13
This year’s theme,
Springtime in Paris,
promises grand gardens
inspired by the Tuileries
and a Moulin Rouge
landscape with carousel
topiaries. Pennsylvania
Convention Center.
theflowershow.com
south PhiladelPhia
Philadelphia
Antiques Show
April 9–12
The show celebrates
its 50th anniversary
by inviting 50 lead-
ing dealers to show
their museum-quality
antiques. Philadelphia
Cruise Terminal at The
Navy Yard. 215-387-3500;
philaantiques.com
avenue oF the arts
Questlove of
The Roots
April 17
Along with surprise
special guests, the
expressive drummer, DJ,
producer and beloved
homegrown talent
explores music from the
Parisian belle epoque.
The Kimmel Center.
215-893-1999;
kimmelcenter.org
