Malcolm Rivera
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a non-profit organization that serves as a platform for constitutional education and debate. The center was created by the Constitution Heritage Act of 1988 and officially opened its doors on July 4, 2003. The construction of the center, which spans 160,000 square feet, including galleries, and 75,785 square feet of exhibit space, began in 2000 and was completed in 2003. While I cannot find the exact cost to build the Constitution Center, the center did receive a $15 million donation in 2025, which was the largest in its history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia |
| Construction Start Date | September 17, 2000 |
| Opening Date | July 4, 2003 |
| Cost of Construction | N/A |
| Donor | Kenneth C. Griffin |
| Donation Amount | $15 million |
| Building Height | 140 feet (43 m) |
| Number of Floors | 10 |
| Building Materials | Indiana limestone, steel, concrete |
| Square Footage of Limestone | 85,000 sq. ft. (7,900 sq. m) |
| Weight of Steel Used | 2.6 million pounds |
| Volume of Concrete Used | 0.5 million cubic feet |
| Number of Founding Fathers Statues | 42 |
| Number of Artists Involved | 50 |
Explore related products
$22.49 $35
What You'll Learn
- The National Constitution Center cost $15 million to renovate in 2025
- The center opened in 2003 and was built with American products
- The center is 160,000 sq ft, including galleries and exhibit space
- The center was created by the Constitution Heritage Act of 1988
- The center is located at 525 Arch Street in Philadelphia
The National Constitution Center cost $15 million to renovate in 2025
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia is a non-profit organization that serves as a platform for constitutional education and debate. The center was created by the Constitution Heritage Act of 1988, which was signed by President Ronald Reagan. The act directed the establishment of the center within or close to the Independence National Historical Park. The National Constitution Center broke ground on September 17, 2000, 213 years after the Constitution was signed, and it opened on July 4, 2003. The center has since become a cultural hub in the city, attracting a million visitors annually.
The center's address at 525 Arch Street was specifically chosen because May 25 (5/25) is the date the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia in 1787. The building is constructed from American products, including 85,000 square feet of Indiana limestone, 2.6 million pounds of steel, and half a million cubic feet of concrete. The limestone used is from the same quarry as the Empire State Building's materials. The center features 42 life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers in Signers' Hall, created by artists at Brooklyn's Studio EIS.
In May 2025, the National Constitution Center received a $15 million donation from Kenneth C. Griffin, the largest single gift in the organization's history. The donation will fund the center's first major renovation of its main exhibit, "The Story of We The People." Two new galleries are planned: "The Founding Principles," exploring how Americans declared independence and formed a new constitutional government, and "Separation of Powers," examining how the Constitution defines and balances power. These galleries will open in February and May 2026, respectively, and will showcase rare documents and interactive displays.
The $15 million gift from Kenneth C. Griffin demonstrates his commitment to preserving America's constitutional history and making it accessible to all. Griffin, a frequent and generous donor to charities and cultural organizations, has expressed pride in partnering with the National Constitution Center to share these sacred documents with Americans. The renovation will enhance the center's educational offerings and further establish it as a prominent cultural destination in Philadelphia.
Constitutional Balance: Rules and Regulations
You may want to see also
The center opened in 2003 and was built with American products
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, America's leading platform for constitutional education and debate, first opened its doors on July 4, 2003, and was built with American products. The center was created by the Constitution Heritage Act of 1988, which was signed by President Ronald Reagan. The act stipulated that the center should disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis to increase awareness and understanding of the Constitution among Americans.
The center's address, 525 Arch Street, was specifically chosen because May 25 (5/25) is the date that the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia in 1787. The center's design received critical acclaim from several notable publications, including The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. The building is constructed from American products, including 85,000 square feet of Indiana limestone, 2.6 million pounds of steel, and half a million cubic feet of concrete. The limestone used is from the same quarry as the Empire State Building's materials.
The center features an exhibition hall and public space spanning 160,000 square feet, with 75,785 square feet dedicated to exhibits. The Signers' Hall contains 42 life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers, created by artists at Brooklyn's Studio EIS. Approximately 50 artists, including sculptors, designers, costumers, and mold makers, contributed to the project. The center has hosted several notable debates, including a 2008 Democratic presidential primary debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and a 2024 presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
The National Constitution Center is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a platform for constitutional education, civic learning, and nonpartisan debate. It offers interactive programs, exhibits, and online resources to engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. The center has become a cultural hub in Philadelphia, attracting a million visitors annually and hosting blockbuster exhibitions. In 2025, the center received a $15 million donation from Kenneth C. Griffin, the largest single gift in its history, to support its first major renovation of its main exhibit, "The Story of We The People."
The US Constitution: Its Core Principles and Values
You may want to see also
The center is 160,000 sq ft, including galleries and exhibit space
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a 160,000-square-foot space that includes galleries and exhibit space. The center was created by the Constitution Heritage Act of 1988, which was signed by President Ronald Reagan on September 16, 1988. The act directed the establishment of a nonpartisan institution to increase awareness and understanding of the US Constitution among Americans.
The center broke ground on September 17, 2000, and opened on July 4, 2003, joining other historic sites in what has been dubbed "America's most historic square mile." The building is constructed from American materials, including 85,000 square feet of Indiana limestone, 2.6 million pounds of steel, and half a million cubic feet of concrete. The limestone used is from the same quarry as the materials for the Empire State Building.
The center features 75,785 square feet of exhibit space, including interactive galleries and exhibits that bring the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages. The center also includes a four-story stone panel inscribed with the text of the First Amendment, which was donated by the Freedom Forum, a non-profit organization. The center's newest gallery offers a fresh perspective on the history of the First Amendment and its impact on modern times.
The National Constitution Center has become a cultural hub in Philadelphia, attracting a million visitors annually with its educational offerings, blockbuster exhibitions, and interactive programs. The center has also hosted several notable debates, including a 2008 Democratic primary debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and a 2024 presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
Constitutional Court Judges: How Long Do They Serve?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The center was created by the Constitution Heritage Act of 1988
The National Constitution Center is a non-profit organisation that serves as a platform for constitutional education and debate. It is located at 525 Arch Street in Philadelphia, and its address was specifically chosen because May 25 (5/25) is the date that the Constitutional Convention began in the city in 1787.
> an institution “within or in close proximity to the Independence National Historical Park” that “shall disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a nonpartisan basis in order to increase awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people.”
The National Constitution Center broke ground on September 17, 2000—213 years to the day after the Constitution was signed. The building is made of American products, including 85,000 square feet of Indiana limestone, 2.6 million pounds of steel, and a half-million cubic feet of concrete. The limestone used is from the same quarry as the materials for the Empire State Building. The center opened on July 4, 2003, and has since become a cultural hub in Philadelphia, attracting a million visitors annually.
The center has hosted several debates, including a 2008 Democratic presidential primary debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, a town hall meeting with Senator John McCain, and a 2024 Presidential debate. In 2006, the center became home to the Philadelphia Liberty Medal, an annual award established in 1988 to recognise those who strive to secure liberty around the globe.
The Constitution: Limiting Rule by the People
You may want to see also
The center is located at 525 Arch Street in Philadelphia
The National Constitution Center is located at 525 Arch Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The address was specifically chosen because May 25 (5/25) is the date that the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia in 1787. The center is dedicated to the four most powerful pages in America's history and is wholly devoted to honouring and exploring the U.S. Constitution. It is the leading platform for constitutional education and debate in the country, serving as America's Town Hall and Headquarters for Civic Education.
The center offers civic learning resources onsite and online, including interactive programs and exhibits, as well as onsite and online civic-education programs and a study centre that develops and distributes teaching tools, lesson plans, and resources. The center has hosted several debates, including a 2008 Democratic presidential primary debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, a town hall meeting with Senator John McCain, and a 2006 Pennsylvania Senatorial debate.
The National Constitution Center opened in 2003, joining other historic sites and attractions in what has been called "America's most historic square mile". The center was created by the Constitution Heritage Act, which was approved on September 16, 1988, and signed by President Ronald Reagan. The act defined the center as "within or in close proximity to the Independence National Historical Park".
The center's building is made of American products, including 85,000 square feet of Indiana limestone, 2.6 million pounds of steel, and a half-million cubic feet of concrete. The limestone used is from the same quarry as the Empire State Building’s materials. The center features a 350-seat, star-shaped theatre, the Kimmel Theater, which showcases Freedom Rising, a multimedia production combining film, a live actor, and video projection on a 360° screen.
The Constitution's Role: Democracy and Republics
You may want to see also
