Month: April 2022

When I moved into my college dorm at Temple University, I knew I was going to have a hard time. I grew up in a suburban area that was pretty close to Philadelphia, but I was never given the chance to explore the city. Switching from a quiet, suburban town to a college that sat in the heart of a city was rough, and I felt like I was unprepared.

My first experiences in Philly were fun, but unhelpful. In elementary school, my class went on a trip to The Franklin Institute. My chaperone took my group to the Heart Exhibit, and we were only allowed to go inside the giant heart. I got scared by the constant heartbeat and ran to my chaperone’s side. I wasn’t allowed to play with anything else until we went home.

Years later, I returned to Philly to watch my cousin graduate from Temple. This seems like the perfect opportunity to explore the city, but that chance disappeared instantly. The ceremony took place at Temple’s multipurpose venue, the Liacouras Center. So I was only able to see a quarter of the campus. Everyone was tired from the ride there, so we went home right after the ceremony ended.

At the time, I wasn’t fully committed to going to Temple. So I felt like I didn’t need to go into Philly just to explore and adjust. Plus, I didn’t want to go anywhere due to COVID-19. I thought that visiting Philadelphia twice would help me adjust to college life. But when I moved into my college dorm, reality hit me hard. 

I felt like I was not ready to become a college student, let alone an adult. My knowledge of Philly was so slim, I felt like I had no idea where I was, even when I was walking on campus. That was when I heard about Collegefest from a friend. I saw a chance to test my maturity. So I gathered some friends and revisited The Franklin Institute.

I was able to go to places in the museum that I was never able to go to before. It almost felt like I was at a completely different museum. But eventually, I ended up at the Heart Exhibit once more. I’ve decided to have a rematch with the giant heart. I was more scared of getting stuck than the constant sound of a heart beat. 

A live dissection was about to take place, but that caused a rift in the group. One of the girls was squeamish and didn’t want to see it, but she also didn’t want to go anywhere alone. So, I stepped in and split the group in half for the time. Everyone was able to enjoy themselves in the museum. Once we were done, we visited the Philadelphia Museum of Arts until Collegefest ended.

Before we went back to campus, we decided to go to the Reading Terminal Market for lunch. Someone in our group wanted to take the lead and guide us there. It turned out that they had no idea where they were going. None of us did. So I decided to pull out my map and help the group get there safely. I also remembered certain landmarks, so we didn’t get lost later.

After I took the lead, everyone was at ease. I started to feel like I can be a person that others can depend on. When we reached the market, one of my friends told me that most of the money made there was given back to Philly’s residents. It was hard to pick something for lunch because I wanted to support everyone there. After I chose to eat a sandwich, we took a train back to Temple.

When I stepped back into my dorm room. I felt a lot better about myself. I am proud that I am able to say that I am confident in myself and my ability to be an adult. I am looking forward to what college life has to offer me. And when I finally go home, my parents will smile at me, knowing that their daughter has become an independent adult.

By Kieran Cunningham

The city of Philadelphia, PA boasts an expansive, rich atmosphere that residents of the city cherish throughout their lives. Cultural powerhouses, such as “Rocky” and John Coltrane create a unique, identifying culture that resonates with the public. With its expansive history and iconic landmarks, it is no wonder that supernatural associations permeate into the perceptions of The City of Brotherly Love. By effect, a major controversy comes to light. Avid believers find it essential to describe the city’s haunted landscape in tandem with its history and skeptics miss the correlation between the two. One thing, however, is for certain. Through social interactions and perceptions, Philadelphians foster the haunted perceptions of the city, which strengthen the connection they have to their home.

Dark Events of the Past

Tragic events of the past are able to change the way people perceive an abundance of areas around the city. When dreadful affairs happen in a specific area, the public’s perception regarding the image of that location can shift towards ghostly assumptions. The Eastern State Penitentiary, for instance, encapsulates the haunted Philadelphia scene. Stories of the prisoners associated with the world’s first penitentiary are enough to cause a chill down anyone’s spine.

An NPR news article discusses the dismal past of the former prisoners by discussing the harsh punishment inflicted on them by the institution. Individuals can learn about stories of ice forming on the skin of prisoners and gruesome solitary confinement, which allow them to empathetically connect to the prisoners. Through learning about Eastern State’s past, like the events of previous article, city residents actively seek out information which broadens their scope of Philadelphian history. By effect, these people are able to create an emotional bond to a Philadelphian location and witness the impact those landmarks have on the city.

Philadelphia’s Influential Characters

Another method Philadelphia residents express their belief of paranormal activity revolve around the notable figures that have shaped the foundation of the city’s history. Through the passing down of folklore, individuals echo the great accomplishments of these people and their ability to affect the social landscape of today. By seeing apparitions of well-known people, the public is able to push the otherworldly mindset of one of the nation’s oldest cities.

Philly Ghosts, one of Philadelphia’s best known ghost tour companies, discusses this ability of historical ghosts leaving an impact on individuals. An account of a frantic Ben Franklin ghost pushing past someone to get to a bookshelf and Betsy Ross spotted at the foot of her bed intrigue believers everywhere. These ghost sightings allow witnesses to connect to notable places and appreciate the major contributions of these figures on their mutual living space. This, in essence, strengthens Philadelphia’s position as a “haunted” city, while simultaneously peeking the historical interest/connection of individuals.

Personal Paranormal Parables

One of the most effective avenues that allows Philadelphians to push the occult narrative of the city involves the personal anecdotes of residents. To rationalize strange occurrences with no visible explanation, people can point towards the supernatural for an answer. Believers can connect to their unique experience, evoking strong emotions, which builds up the perception of the city.

A New York Times article demonstrates the strong feelings a young sociologist, Margee Kerr, feels while trekking through the halls of Eastern State Penitentiary with a group of professional ghost hunters. Specific sensations and uncanny emotions allow the author to build the foundation of an eerie presence within the city. This encapsulates the image she associates with the building and the overall Philadelphian experience. Her personal encounter with a very active paranormal site creates an exclusive appreciation for The City of Brotherly Love that many people do not experience.

An Overview of Philadelphia’s Haunted Atmosphere

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania boasts a dynamic history and substantial culture that residents can perceive as a perfect mixture for a paranormal landscape. Speculations surrounding site locations, instances of notable apparitions, and personal accounts of ghostly images prompt a growing appreciation, among residents, of the city and its important history. The controversial opinions of ghosts prompts an internal connection to their home, which keeps the Philadelphian spirit alive.

Source Material:

Dalrymple, L. (2013, October 24). Is Eastern State Penitentiary really haunted? NPR. Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://www.npr.org/2013/10/24/232234570/is-eastern-statepenitentiary-really-haunted

“Eastern State Penitentiary.” Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site. Retrieved April 12, 2022, from https://www.easternstate.org/.

Kerr, M. (2015, October 31). My Philadelphia ghost story. The New York Times. Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/31/opinion/my-philadelphiaghost-story.html

“The American Philosophical Library.” The American Philosophical Library – Philly Ghosts, 6 Nov. 2021, https://phillyghosts.com/the-american-philosophical-library/.

“The Betsy Ross House.” The Betsy Ross House – Philly Ghosts, 15 Dec. 2021, https:// phillyghosts.com/the-betsy-ross-house/.