Scene Through the Lens with photographer Tom Gralish.
The crowds are back visiting the Liberty Bell in Independence National Historical Park on Thursday. It was among the historic sites in Philadelphia closed amid the federal government shutdown.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
Many cities have universally recognizable symbols: the Statue of Liberty, St. Louis Arch, Sydney Opera House, Eiffel and leaning towers, and almost every building in Washington, D.C.
We have a few in Philadelphia too. For a photographer, the landmarks are a both a blessing and a curse. I want readers to know a picture is from their town — not a wire service or stock photo from Detroit or Dallas. But that doesn’t mean every photo made in Center City should have that ornate Second Empire style building at Broad and Market in the background.
Then, sometimes the landmark is the story.
After being closed for almost six weeks due to the federal government shutdown, I did include the just re-opened buildings and their signs in the news photos of the day — while still looking for moments of the connections between visitors and the returning furloughed federal workers.
Ranger Devynn Chester (right) talks with Linda Schrader, from Frankford, as visitors are back inside the Liberty Bell CenteChester said, “I’m so happy to be back at work. I'm glad that the public can witness our nation's treasures. I'm glad that we can give people the experience.”Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
National Park Service law enforcement ranger Johan Urena (left) greets park ranger John Dunlap. as visitors line up outside the Liberty Bell Center before the noon opening. Urena and other police rangers worked through the shutdown while this was the first day back for Dunlap. and his fellow rangers.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
Visitors line up to see the Liberty Bell. The center has been closed since Oct. 1 .Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
Park Ranger Christopher Acosta hangs onto his hat as he uprights a gate blown over by strong winds. He commented that “it was summer when we stopped, and now it’s winter. But it’s great to be back.”Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
The crowds are back visiting the Liberty Bell in Independence National Historical Park.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
Fourth grade teacher Toni Marie Eliasen photographs her students at the Liberty Bell. They were on a field trip from the Christian Academy in Brookhaven, Delaware County that was planned for weeks, and about the re-opening said, “we got so lucky.” Then corrected herself. “It’s because we prayed for it.” Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
Ranger John Dunlap (left) talks with visitors at the Liberty Bell Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 as the federal government returns to work after the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The Liberty Bell Center, closed since Oct. 1, reopened at noon.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
Students on a field trip from the Christian Academy pose for a group photo.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
Vladimir Maslyanchuk lines up his photo of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. He is an attorney from Spartanburg S.C. in town for a conference with the Ukrainian-American Bar Association and decided to “enjoy the city” as he arrived a day early, lucky he said that the Liberty Bell Center was open.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
Amanda Williams photographs her son Corwin, 13, in front of Liberty Bell. They and the rest of the family were on a field trip with their homeschooling co-op from the Lehigh Valley.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
Park ranger Torri Brouhard (left) and law enforcement ranger Sean Carey talk with tourists at the National Park's nformation desk in the Visitor Center, which is Visiowned by the city of Philadelphia and remained open.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
Ranger Natalie Ford talks with visitors outside Independence Hall. Other bulidings in the park were open, but Independence Hall will remain closed through late January due to preservation work ahead of Philadelphia’s Semiquincentennial celebrations next year.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
Since 1998 a black-and-white photo has appeared every Monday in staff photographer Tom Gralish’s “Scene Through the Lens” photo column in the print editions of The Inquirer’s local news section. Here are the most recent, in color:
