The Philadelphia Contributionship
The Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire — the oldest fire insurance company in America, was founded by Benjamin Franklin and his friends in 1752 and designed by Thomas U. Walter, who designed the Capitol Dome in D.C.
The firm's firemark — four interlocked hands, and known as the hand-in-hand is displayed to this day on many homes and businesses. When volunteer fire companies responded to blazes in the city's early years, a firemark on the burning building meant the structure was insured — and that the insurance company would reimburse the fire company for a job well done. Sometimes rival companies would arrive at a fire simultaneously and fisticuffs would ensue in order to determine who had the honor of putting out the blaze — and who would receive the money from the insurance company.
Walk north along 4th, crossing Walnut St. Off to the right (east) you'll see Carpenter's Hall between Walnut and Chestnut
Independence Hall Area
- Welcome to the Independence Hall Area
- Welcome Park
- City Tavern
- Merchant's Exchange
- First Bank of the United States
- Old Visitor Center
- Bishop White House
- Walnut Street Garden and Houses
- The Philadelphia Contributionship
- Todd House (Dolley Madison)
- Carpenters' Hall
- New Hall (Military Museum)
- Pemberton House
- Franklin Court
- Second Bank
- Library Hall
- Philosophical Hall
- Independence Square
- Independence Hall, Congress Hall, Old City Hall
- Atwater Kent Museum
- Graff House
- President's House
- Liberty Bell
