American Learning Library Overview

Harrisburg This video shows the state capitol Playing time: 3 min
Independence Hall, Philadelphia This video shows historic images and modern footage of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and adopted. The building was originally a state house in colonial times, and it was later the first home of the Liberty Bell. Playing time: 2 min
Liberty Bell This video tells the story of Pennsylvania's Liberty Bell, which is in Philadelphia. Playing time: 2 min
City Hall, Philadelphia This videos shows City Hall in Philadelphia, which is part of Penn Square and has a statue of William Penn at its top. Between 1894 and 1908, it was the tallest habitable building in the world, and was the tallest in Philadelphia until 1987. Playing time: 2 min
Historic downtown Philadelphia A walk through the residential streets of downtown Philadelphia, focusing on early housing. These houses were built in the 17th century, when people walked or used horses and carts to get about, which led streets now too narrow for automobiles. Playing time: 2 min
Federal Philadelphia A drive through downtown Philadelphia, showing historic colonial and federal housing. Playing time: 2 min
Waverly Street, Philadelphia Shows Waverly Street in downtown Philadelphia, where 18th-century hitching posts that were used for tying up horses can still be seen on the sidewalks. Playing time: 1 min
Snowstorm in Philadelphia Shows Philadelphia after a snowstorm in January 2016. Playing time: 5 min
Reading Terminal Market A walk through the covered market at Reading Terminal, which was built in the 19th century. Today, over 100 stall owners sell artisan food products to downtown Philadelphians. Playing time: 2 min
Pittsburgh As we drive into the center of Pittsburgh, the history of this industrial center is explained to help understand the geography of the settlement and how and why it developed into what we see today. Playing time: 9 min
Upper Ohio River In this video we cross the Upper Ohio River several times exploring how towns developed along this steep-sided part of the river valley. As the frontier moved west, forts were built at strategic points along the river, which was important for communication and transport. Towns and industry grew up around these early forts, and there are still power plants in the area today. Playing time: 6 min
Lancaster A drive through the historic district of Lancaster, America's oldest inland town, explaining the history and geography of the settlement as we pass features such as 19th-century row houses. Playing time: 5 min
Bellefonte Victorian Village A drive through Bellefonte, a Victorian village off Route 99, featuring late 19th-century houses and important buildings such as the Courthouse. Bellefonte is in the Ridge and Valley Appalachians, where the towns and roads mostly run up and down the valley sides. Playing time: 5 min
Benjamin Franklin Bridge Crossing Benjamin Franklin Bridge, a suspension bridge across the Delaware River between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Camden, New Jersey. In the video we first cross towards Philadelphia, then back towards Camden,e xplaining the history of the bridge, and how cities often develop opposite each other across rivers because of easy transportation and trade. Playing time: 5 min
Washington's Crossing Tells the story of George Washington's crossing of the Delaware on Christmas Night 1776, and shows the place where the crossing happened and the fort at Trenton which was captured from the British. Playing time: 3 min
Gettysburg Historic drawings and paintings and footage from the Gettysburg Memorial Park are used to tell the story of the Battle of Gettysburg. It took place in July 1863 over three days, and produced one of the highest casualties of any battle during the Civil War. This was the battle that prompted Abraham Lincoln to deliver his Gettysburg address on November 19, 1863. Playing time: 5 min
Mining in snow, 1904 Historic footage of mining operations at Pennsylvania Fields in 1904. Playing time: 2 min
Coil winding, Pittsburgh, 1904 Historic footage of coil winding machines at the Westinghouse Works in Pittsburgh, 1904. Playing time: 2 min
The history of America An introductory video about the history of America, from Native American peoples to the present day, through early settlers, colonial times, revolution and independence, Civil War, the Gilded Age, Immigration, the Great Depression, and more. Designed to support our 'History of America' book. Playing time: 15 min