Dignitaries gathered at 22nd and the Parkway to bury a time capsule to mark the occasion.
As the skies opened up, a modern-day Ben Franklin led a ceremony to bury a time capsule containing what quickly became soggy items from places like the Free Library and the Franklin Institute:
“We’ll ask each of the people from the institutions just to throw a little dirt!”
One hundred years ago, demolition to build the Parkway began.
Among those donning bowler hats for the event was state senator Vince Fumo, showing good humor despite facing federal corruption charges:
“I’m going to start charging a fee, I think, when I appear, so I can get the media with me all the time! I intend to continue to do my job as a senator. And I’ll be in Harrisburg on Monday, for those of you that care, working on the budget to make sure that Philadelphia gets more than its fair share.”
Officials also unveiled a new system of signs telling the story of the Parkway.
KYW: What Say We Put The Ben Impersonator In That Time Capsule And Seal For Freshness, Hmm?