History repeated

As the clock tower at Independence Hall struck 3 on a Thursday afternoon, Continental Army trooper Robert Hare stood next door in Signer's Garden, enlisting volunteers for the impending Revolution. The new soldiers, some missing front teeth, others waving flags taller than they were, headed down Fifth Street to the beat of Hare's drum.

Historic Philadelphia's twice-a-day reenactment of a military muster is just a small part of its successful Once Upon a Nation program, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this summer. The initiative, a partnership with the National Park Service, not only puts Philadelphia's historic sites in context, but also drives visitors to the city and dollars into the economy.

Since it began, nearly 2.5 million people have participated in Once Upon a Nation activities, which include walking tours that lead groups down cobblestone streets and trained actors in tricorne hats and colonial bonnets who transport visitors back in time. This summer, for the first time, families can meet Ben Franklin at the Historic Philadelphia Center.

"Over the past 10 years, Historic Philadelphia has prided itself on telling the stories not only of our country's founders, but all of the people that made history," said Amy Needle, Historic Philadelphia's president and CEO. The nonprofit, which began in 1994 as the Philadelphia Heritage Project, also runs the Betsy Ross House and Franklin Square, which it restored in 2006.

Once Upon a Nation's storytelling benches, where listeners can hear true tales from history for free, decorate the city's historic sites and Valley Forge. On the bench behind Independence Hall, Robert Branch tells the story of Frank Johnson, a free African American musician who lived in Philadelphia before the Civil War. Like many of the Once Upon a Nation stories, "it has relevance today," Branch said. At the Betsy Ross House, visitors can hear about Esther Reed, who organized Philadelphia women to raise money for the Continental Army.

Each of Once Upon a Nation's 150 stories is true. Historian Sandy Lloyd researches and writes them.

In honor of Once Upon a Nation's 10th anniversary, children ages 7 to 12 can try their hand writing stories about heroes or heroines from history. Details of the contest, which closes July 15, can be found at historicphiladelphia.org. Winners will get to share their stories at one of the Once Upon a Nation benches on Aug. 8.

Here's to hoping the program's next decade is as effective as its first in bringing American history to life.