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Seven strangers and I did something extremely cool on Saturday November 10th. We were members of Captain Brett’s team of explorers. The object of our study was Independence Historic National Park, a National Park right here in Philadelphia that encompasses Independence Hall and much more. Like many explorers before us, we set out from the American Philosophical Society at 104 South Fifth Street.

The Society assembled us in an upstairs room for orientation. After Captain Brett reviewed the team’s skills and talents, we were equipped with gear for measuring data and recording observations. We then set off around Independence Park to record what we found in the here and now (well at this writing, the then and there). The exploration lasted about 90 minutes. The APS Website describes You Are Here as “Intriguing to anyone interested in contemporary performance practices, these journeys are riffs on early explorers’ expeditions. Partly scripted and partly improvisational, they bow to chance encounters and the whims of nature.” Unlike past explorations, we didn’t see any hawks close up, but we did see some of their handy work up in a tree.

There were the eight of us, plus Park Ranger Cosgrove, expedition videographer Roderick Coover, and Captain Brett. We made for a lively, friendly, diverse, interested, and interesting group. We all had a really jolly time and were very glad we chose to join the expedition.

Brett Keyser is a performance artist who has been involved with the American Philosophical Society for about 6 years. He will be leading 14 expeditions around Independence Historic National Park, and you can join him, for free. It’s too late to join Captain Brett in 2007, the explorations begin anew in 2008.

You Are Here
February 23, 24; March 29, 30; April 26, 27; May 17, 18; June 21, 22.
Cost: Free

Museum of the American Philosophical Society
104 South Fifth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 440-3440

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