Privy Pit?

We took a picture of this interesting thing in Philadelphia. I had a suspicion of what it might be but wanted to check it out. I thought surely nobody would memorialize something like this. I mean I am all for seeing where famous people slept, ate, walked, and lived their lives. However, this seems like a bit much. Am I missing something? If anyone has any more insight on this unusual thing feel free to let me know. I am curious.

In case you haven't figured out what this is yet I will give you the answer.

I found the following information at the "Chamberpot Glossary" Did you ever think you would need a glossary? You should check it out too because you will be shocked at how much there is over there. Just click here.

Privy pit

The cesspool used for the temporary or permanent storage of human waste from a pit privy. Under favorable soil conditions, the pit can be dug, used for a period, and then filled in while the privy is moved elsewhere.

Yuck! We are now immortalizing THAT?

I am having a strange image in my head now. In the future, will there be bronzed toilets saying something like this?

Rosie O'Donnell

Her Toilet

circa 2007

New York

Does this seem strange to anyone else or is it just me?

I also read that they found some ceramic items and other things in the privy pit. Now I am really wondering how that happened. Were they hiding it there becuase, heck, I sure wouldn't have looked there for valuables!

In case you are wondering who John Read is, let me tell you. He was born on Chestnut street across the street from Independence Hall (hey, we were there!!). After being home schooled he went to The University of Pennsylvania. He was a lawyer, a politician and one of the founders of the Republican Party. He also served in the Continental Congress. He was born in 1797. He died in his home in Philadelphia in 1874.

See this next picture makes sense to me. This one is really saying, "hey, these two famous guys drank some water here". I can handle that. After visiting the Holy Land (Israel) you see this kind of thing everywhere. Every time you turn around the tour guide is showing you another persons well. I am amazed that after all this time they can still figure out where individual people went to get a drink.

This next one is even more interesting to me.

The idea of actually WALKING right where Benjamin Franklin walked was enchanting. To think I was walking along the very passage the he walked was amazing. I think most of us would agree that we would like to do that. After all these years I have no interest in actually drinking WHERE someone famous actually drank or actually going.....well, you know what I mean. Have we gone too far with these famous landmarks? I sure hope that John Read has another much more appealing land mark than just his privy pit.