Malcolm Rivera
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia is a great place to learn about the history of the U.S. Constitution and explore America's founding principles. Located just steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the museum offers a wealth of interactive and multimedia exhibits, artifacts, and displays. Visitors can also experience the Kimmel Theater's Freedom Rising production, which combines film and live actors to bring the story of We the People to life. If you're looking for other attractions near the Constitution Center, you can easily access Philadelphia's historic attractions and cultural institutions via the Phlash, a bright purple trolley that stops near the museum. So, whether you're interested in exploring more of the city's history or seeking out other cultural experiences, Philadelphia has plenty to offer beyond the National Constitution Center.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106 |
| Nearby Attractions | Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Old St. Augustine's |
| Transport | PATCO Speedline, Amtrak, SEPTA public transit, Phlash |
| Exhibits | Rare artifacts, historic documents, interactive galleries, live programming, Freedom Rising |
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What You'll Learn
Visit Independence Hall
Independence Hall is a must-visit site when in Philadelphia. Located at 520 Chestnut Street, it is just a stone's throw away from the National Constitution Center. The building is steeped in history and is considered the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
The Assembly Room is the heart of Independence Hall, where delegates from the original 12 colonies debated and ultimately voted for independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776. A month later, the Declaration of Independence was signed in this very room. The room is meticulously preserved, with the original 18th-century configuration intact, including a stunning antique chandelier. Visitors can also view artefacts from that era, such as George Washington's famed "rising sun" chair.
The West Wing of Independence Hall is another fascinating area. Here, you'll find the Great Essentials exhibit, which showcases original printed copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution. These documents are presented alongside artefacts like the silver Syng inkstand, which the 56 delegates of the Second Continental Congress used to author these historic documents. The West Wing is freely accessible and open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, except on major holidays.
Beyond the West Wing and the Assembly Room, Independence Hall is part of a larger historical complex. It is one of over two dozen sites within the Independence National Historical Park, many of which are within walking distance of each other. Just across the street is the iconic Liberty Bell, and a little further is The President's House, an outdoor museum dedicated to the lives of the enslaved people who once worked for George Washington. With so much to explore, a visit to Independence Hall offers a profound understanding of American history and the foundations of its democracy.
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See the Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell is one of the most iconic symbols of American independence. Located in Philadelphia, the Liberty Bell is just a short walk from the National Constitution Center and Independence Hall, in the Independence National Historical Park.
The Liberty Bell was rung on July 8, 1776, to mark the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. The bell itself is made from 70% copper and 25% tin, with small traces of lead, gold, silver, zinc and arsenic. It weighs over 2000 lbs and has a distinctive crack running across its body, which has been there since its first strike.
The Liberty Bell was commissioned in 1751 by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly from the London firm, Lester and Pack. It was cast with the now famous inscription: "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof", taken from the Bible, specifically Leviticus 25:10. The bell was intended to be used to mark the anniversary of William Penn's Charter of Privileges, which served as Pennsylvania's constitution until 1776.
Today, the Liberty Bell is a popular tourist attraction, with visitors able to view the bell up close and learn about its history and significance. The Liberty Bell Center is open daily and offers free admission, with timed entry tickets available online. The Center features exhibits and artefacts detailing the history of the bell and its role in American history, including its use as a symbol of freedom and democracy. Visitors can also enjoy a 360-degree theatrical production, 'Freedom Rising', which tells the story of the American people's struggle for liberty and civil rights.
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Take a trip to Old St. Augustine's
In the 1840s, a rise in religious intolerance, including nativism, anti-immigrant sentiment, and anti-Catholic sentiment, led to the Nativist Riots of 1844. On May 8, rioters attacked St. Augustine's, and despite the presence of city troops and the mayor, the church was burned down. The congregation was allowed to use Old St. Joseph's Church temporarily until St. Augustine's was rebuilt.
In December 1992, a storm severely damaged the church's steeple, which had to be disassembled and removed. The insurance money paid for a new steeple, which was erected in October 1995, along with the restoration and repainting of the ceiling frescoes that had been damaged by water.
Today, Old St. Augustine's is a thriving congregation with a rich history. It has been featured in several films, including The Sixth Sense (1999), Shooter (2007), and 21 Bridges (2019). The church also houses a shrine to Santo Niño, an exact replica of a 450-year-old statue from the Philippines, which was dedicated in 1992 and is a focal point for the Filipino Catholic community in Philadelphia.
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View the Emancipation Proclamation
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia is home to a rare original copy of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. The museum, located just steps from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, is wholly devoted to honouring and exploring the U.S. Constitution.
The Emancipation Proclamation, issued on January 1, 1863, declared "that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are, and henceforward shall be free". Despite its sweeping language, the proclamation was limited in scope, applying only to states that had seceded from the Union and exempting certain parts of the Confederacy.
The document, covering five pages, was originally bound with other proclamations in a large volume preserved by the Department of State. It was transferred to the National Archives in Washington, DC, in 1936, where it is now on display. The original proclamation was written in ink and tied with red and blue ribbons, with parts of the seal still visible today.
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia offers visitors a chance to view this rare document, alongside other important historical artefacts, through its interactive exhibits and displays. The museum is typically open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, with tickets available for purchase online, by phone, or in person.
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Explore Signers' Hall
Signers' Hall is a must-see spot in the National Constitution Center. It is one of the museum's most popular and iconic attractions. Visitors can walk alongside 42 life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers—the framers of the Constitution—and relive the moment that launched a government ruled by "We the People". The statues depict the revolutionaries who signed the U.S. Constitution on 17 September 1787, as well as those who dissented.
The statues in Signers' Hall were created by artists at Studio EIS in Brooklyn, who used numerous historical sources, including portraits and written descriptions, to create the most accurate likenesses possible. Visitors are invited to sign the Constitution themselves, alongside these statues.
Signers' Hall is just one part of the National Constitution Center's mission to bring the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. The museum, built exclusively with American materials, explores and explains the U.S. Constitution through high-tech exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays.
The Kimmel Theater, a 350-seat, star-shaped theater, features Freedom Rising, a multimedia production combining film, a live actor, and video projection on a 360° screen to tell the story of "We the People". The museum also houses rare original copies of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and the Bill of Rights.
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Frequently asked questions
The National Constitution Center is located near many other attractions, including:
- Independence Hall
- The Liberty Bell
- The Liberty Bell Center
- Old St. Augustine's
The National Constitution Center is a 160,000-square-foot museum devoted to honouring and exploring the U.S. Constitution. It features high-tech exhibits, artefacts, and interactive displays.
The museum houses a rare original copy of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and one of only a dozen surviving copies of the original Bill of Rights. It also features a 350-seat theatre, the Kimmel Theatre, which hosts a multimedia production combining film and live actors.
The museum is accessible via train, trolley, and car. The PATCO Speedline will take you to 8th Street Station, while Amtrak provides train service to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. The Phlash, a bright purple trolley, stops at 6th and Market Streets near the museum.
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