Seeking David Rittenhouse Observatory

Featured from The Papermaker, the Newsletter of Historic RittenhouseTown
Volume 19, Number 1

On June 3, 2004, a team of archeologists from John Milner Associates, the same team which recently completed the Historic Structures Report on the Jacob Rittenhouse Home, began an excavation at the projected site of David Rittenhouse's 1769 observatory, erected to observe the Transit of Venus. This skilled group of archeologists was headed by Dr. Rebecca Yamin, who also serves on Historic RittenhouseTown's Board of Directors. Coincidently, their work began on the same date as the observation from the original 1769 transit.

For over one hundred years, attempts were made to locate this observatory which marked a significant milestone in the birth of American science and in the career of David Rittenhouse. The observatory may also have been the location of the July 8, 1776 first public reading of the Declaration of Independence behind the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. This project was able to commence because paving was being removed as part of the National Park Service's rehabilitation project of Independence Square. Although the results of this limited effort are not conclusive, in the continuing saga of the search for the 1769 observatory location, the subsequently discovered buried features remain the most likely candidate. As additional information becomes available on this exciting venture, we will post it within future editions of The Papermaker.

The Papermaker is the quarterly newsletter of Historic RittenhouseTown and is sent to all members.