Does the name Thaddeus Kosciuszko ring a bell? Don't feel bad if it doesn't: He was a Polish immigrant-turned-freedom fighter and buddies with Thomas Jefferson, but the national memorial dedicated to him in Philadelphia is one of the least popular national parks in the country.
That's according to the U.S. National Park Service's recently released 2015 Visitor Spending Effects Report, which found that the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial was the second least lucrative national park in the country last year year.
There were just 1,261 visits in 2015 and $7,220 in visitor spending here.
It's easy to see why Kosciuszko's home at 301 Pine Street generated so little visits and revenue: It's only open on the weekends from 12 to 4 p.m. from April to October, and it's totally free.
And at 0.2 acres, it also happens to be the smallest national park in the entire country.
Some background: Kosciuszko was a Polish military engineer who fought in the American Revolution and was considered a military hero in Poland. He moved to Philadelphia in 1797 to 301 Society Pine Street, where he entertained guests like Thomas Jefferson. The two comrades were bros, and Jefferson wrote of Kosciuszko, "He is as pure a son of liberty as I have ever known."
In fact, Kosciuszko named Jefferson as the executor of his will, stating that his property was to be sold to free slaves and allow them to live independently. Unfortunately, that never happened as his will got tied up in courts when Jefferson plead that he was unable to act as executor due to old age.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and became part of the national parks system in 1972.
So while we love the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall as much as the next person, if you want to avoid the hordes of tourists around this time of year, consider checking out the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial.
- Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial [Official]
- 2015 Visitor Spending Effects Report [NPS]
- The 10 least popular National Parks [Outside Magazine]
- Philadelphia Parks: Then and Now [Curbed Philly]
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