Looking for an interesting vacation idea involving historical Americana and a little bit of carbonation?  Look no further than "The Roots of Root Beer" exhibit at Philadelphia's Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, which is running through June 27.

Root beer was one of the first beverages enjoyed by the settlers of America, a low-alcohol concoction flavored with dandelion root, juniper berries, sassafras and sarsaparilla.  The drink, then known as "root tea," was introduced in 1876 by Charles Hires, a local Philadelphia pharmacist.  Hires introduced the drink at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, the first official World's Fair held in the United States which commemorated the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The "Roots of Root Beer" exhibit features a documented history of this classic beverage, as well as a number of Hires Root Beer artifacts courtesy of Franklin Fountain.  Check it out!