Celebrate Bible History at America 250 in Philly

Celebrate the Bible during the Semiquincentennial

LISTEN NOW (10 Minutes):

Listen as Francis Douglas tells about the America 250 Semiquincentennial

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT:

If you’re a Bible-believing Christian and plan to visit Philadelphia during the America250 semiquincentennial celebration (in 2026), here are a few places you should consider visiting.

These places, located in the historic district, are related to the history of the Holy Bible in the United States of America:

Please keep in mind that several of the following addresses no long contain the print shops or book stores that were there in the 1700 and 1800’s. However, you can still see where the history took place at each.

If you are listening to this as a podcast, and would like to view photos, as well as resources associated with this episode, please go to celebratethebible250.com. Just type America250 into the search box, and the web page will be returned to you.

The author stands by the Robert Aitken historical marker in Philadelphia.

Robert Aiken Print Shop: You’ll find its location at 22 Market Street.
Robert Aitken became famous for printing the Aitken Bible, known as the Bible of the American Revolution. And the first and only Bible ever recommended by Congess.

He initially set up a bookstore and print shop on Front Street, down by the Delaware river. He later moved to 22 Market Street. Like so many other historic sites, if you visit today, you will not find his print shop. But there is an historical plaque located in the 100 block to commemorate the Bible history made there.

In 1782, Congress passed a resolution stating: “Resolved. That the United States in Congress assembled highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitken, as subservient to the interest of religion, as well as an influence of the progress of arts in this country, and being satisfied from the above report (by the congressional chaplains), they recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States, and hereby authorize him to publish this recommendation.”

The Liberty Bell, shown on a mid- 1800’s stereo view card. Collection of the author.

The Liberty Bell: You’ll find its location at: The Liberty Bell Center; 526 Market Street. If you look closely, you’ll see that the Liberty Bell already declared Liberty from the day that it was cast in 1751 — to commemorate William Penn’s 1701 Charter of Privileges: which granted residents religious and other liberties. The bell contains Biblical Scripture about Liberty permanently cast onto the bell itself. The scripture is taken from the book of Leviticus, chapter 25, verse 10: Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.

Here is a link to the Liberty Bell Center

A scarce Donnelly facsimile of the Dunlap Broadside / Declaration of Independence. Collection of / shown with the author.

Independence Hall: You’ll find its location at: 520 Chestnut Street. Independence Hall is so named after the Declaration of Independence. Considered the Birth Certificate of the United States. There are four references to God in the Declaration: 1) The Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God; 2) Created and Creator; 3) The Supreme Judge of the World; 4) Divine Providence.

Here is a link to Independence Hall

Christ Church: You’ll find its location at: 20 N American Street. Christ Church was founded in 1695 as a condition of William Penn’s Charter. Historical names noted in attendance included members of the Continental Congress; Presidents Washington and Adams; Benjamin and Deborah Franklin; Betsy Ross and John Penn; along with various signers of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

Here is the church website: Christ Church

Matthew Carey Print Shop: Matthew Carey printed many Bibles. However, his most famous is the first Catholic Bible printed in the United States. The closest location that I can give, is that it was located a few doors down from Benjamin Franklin’s print shop. Since it states “a few doors down”, I assume this is toward the river, rather than moving away from it. So we will say “a few doors down from 113 Market Street”. Matthew Carey’s book shop was near 3rd and Walnut Streets.

I covered this topic at this link: The First Catholic Bible Printed in America

Thomas Jefferson’s House (also known as the Graff House). You’ll find its location at: 700 Market Street. In this home of Jacob Graff, Jr., in 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the draft of the Declaration of Independence. The house is open to the public, but double check for times and dates to be sure.

Here is more information: Visit the Declaration House

Benjamin Franklin: Bible Merchant. You’ll find his National Park Service print shop location at 320 – 322 Market Street. You can visit this site. According to a broadside in my collection (printed on Franklin’s own press), Franklin offered “Bibles of all sizes. Testaments. Greek and Latin testaments. Pilgrim’s progress in three parts. Ditto large edition. Penn’s No Cross No Crown. Buchanan’s psalms. Clark’s Erasmus”. Benjamin Franklin’s initial book shop was located at the corner of Fifth and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia. The Library Company of Philadelphia shared this location. His initial print shop was located at 113 Market Street.

I covered this topic at this link: Benjamin Franklin: Bible Merchant

The signature of american printer Jane Aitken. First woman to print the Holy Bible.

Jane Aitken Print Shop: You’ll find its location at 71 N. Third Street. This is where she printed the Thomson Bible — although her print ship itself is long gone. This achievement made her the first woman to print the Holy Bible. She is also noted for her binding skills. I have uncut press sheets of this Bible from her press work, and I also have raw twine that she used for her book binding.

I covered this topic at this link: Jane Aitken: First Woman to Print a Bible

Here’s an additional resource on Jane Aitken: The Women’s Print History Project

While you’re at the address of Jane Aitken’s print shop, don’t forget that the Betsy Ross House is just around the corner. Here is a link to: Betsy Ross House

William Penn at City Hall. You’ll find its location at: 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd. William Penn stands atop city hall tower overlooking Philadelphia. He was an English Quaker, politician, and the founder of the Province of Pennsylvania. He established Pennsylvania as a colony known for its religious tolerance and democratic principles. He is the author of the famous work: No Cross, No Crown.

You can travel up to the observation deck (at the feet of William Penn): City Hall Observation Deck

John Thompson printed the first Hot Press bible in America in 1798: John Thompson and Abraham Small’s print shop was located at 113 Market Street. This was the former printing address of Benjamin Franklin, founded in 1729.

I covered this topic at this link: America’s First Hot-Pressed Bible

There are many more places that could be visited, both surrounding Philadelphia on the Pennsylvania side, across the Delaware River on the New Jersey side, and south into the state of Delaware.

Celebrating the semiquincentennial 250th birthday of the United States of America in 2026.

For now, I am keeping my information local, to a few square block area of the historic downtown. It’s all within walking distance of Independence Hall.

So, until we meet again, and for celebratethebible250, this is Francis Douglas. If you would like to learn more about the history of the people, places, and events surrounding the Christian Holy Bible in America, please like, share and subscribe for updates.

If you would like me to give a presentation and exhibit to your church group, school, or organization, on the History of the Christian Holy Bible in America, I’ll place contact information below as the 2026 semiquincentennial year approaches.

I will be available for Southern New Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware.

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