The Quiet Garden Across from Independence Hall

Across Fifth Street from Independence Square, beside Library Hall at 105 S. 5th Street, the American Philosophical Society (founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743) keeps a small garden, the Jefferson Garden. It opens to the public only during certain programs, but it can be seen from the sidewalk, and most visitors heading for Independence Hall walk right past it. The society itself — the oldest learned society in America — still has its headquarters and museum in Philosophical Hall, across the street on Independence Square.