Simone Lawson
The National Constitution Center is a non-profit, state-of-the-art museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that is dedicated to the study of the U.S. Constitution. The center, which opened in 2003, is located at Independence Mall, just steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. It offers civic learning resources and features interactive exhibits, artifacts, and displays that explore and explain the Constitution. The center also serves as a national town hall, hosting government leaders, journalists, scholars, and celebrities for public discussions and events.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 525 Arch Street, Independence Mall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106 |
| Size | 160,000 square feet |
| Construction Materials | 85,000 square feet of Indiana limestone, 2.6 million pounds of steel, and a half-million cubic feet of concrete |
| Exhibits | High-tech, interactive displays, artifacts, and exhibits |
| Notable Exhibits | Original copy of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, one of twelve surviving copies of the original Bill of Rights, life-size bronze statues of the 42 signers of the U.S. Constitution, and the four-story-tall stone panel inscribed with the text of the First Amendment |
| Accessibility | Accessible and safe for all audiences, with facilities, exhibits, and programs designed for visitors of all ages |
| Transportation | Accessible by bus, trolley, subway, regional rail, and high-speed train; parking available in the adjacent garage |
| Opening Hours | The museum is open to visitors, with the parking garage open from 8 am to 5 pm daily |
| Founding | Established by the Constitution Heritage Act, approved on September 16, 1988, and signed by President Ronald Reagan; the groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 17, 2000, and it opened on July 4, 2003 |
| Purpose | Dedicated to the study and dissemination of information about the U.S. Constitution, serving as a national town hall and a hub for constitutional education and outreach |
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What You'll Learn
The centre is a non-profit institution
The National Constitution Center is a non-profit institution that is dedicated to the study of the Constitution of the United States. It is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Historic Philadelphia. 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 a non-partisan institution that would disseminate information about the United States Constitution to increase awareness and understanding among the American people.
The center is a state-of-the-art, 160,000-square-foot museum that brings the Constitution to life through high-tech exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays. It is also a national hub for constitutional education and outreach, offering civic learning resources onsite and online. Visitors can engage in deep thinking and analysis of the Constitution and America's founding principles through various programs and exhibits. The center also houses rare documents, including an original copy of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and one of only a dozen surviving copies of the original Bill of Rights.
The National Constitution Center is more than just a museum; it also serves as a national town hall. The center has hosted government leaders, journalists, scholars, and celebrities for public discussions, Constitution-related events, and even presidential debates. The center has become a cultural landmark in Philadelphia, attracting over a million visitors a year and hosting blockbuster exhibitions.
The center is made of American products, including Indiana limestone, steel, and concrete. The architectural firm of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners designed the building, with structural engineering by Leslie E. Robertson Associates. The address, 525 Arch Street, was specifically chosen because May 25 (5/25) was the date that the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia. The center's board of trustees appointed law professor and legal commentator Jeffrey Rosen as its president and CEO in 2013.
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It's an interactive museum
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia is an interactive museum dedicated to the study of the U.S. Constitution. It is a non-profit institution that serves as a national town hall, hosting government leaders, journalists, scholars, and celebrities for public discussions, including Constitution-related events and presidential debates. The center has become a cultural hub in the city, attracting over a million visitors annually.
The museum offers a variety of interactive programs and exhibits that bring the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages. It uses high-tech exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays to explore and explain the Constitution. One such interactive display is the American National Tree, which features touch screens providing information on citizens who have profoundly impacted the country. The museum also houses rare documents, including an original copy of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and one of only a dozen surviving copies of the original Bill of Rights.
The National Constitution Center is located just steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Historic Philadelphia. The address, 525 Arch Street, was specifically chosen because May 25 (5/25) was the date the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia. The center was designed by the architectural firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, with construction overseen by project manager Hill International. It opened on July 4, 2003, joining other historic sites in what has been dubbed America's most historic square mile.
The center has also become home to the Philadelphia Liberty Medal, an annual award recognizing individuals who strive to secure liberty and freedom worldwide. The museum is committed to accessibility and provides civic learning resources onsite and online, including videos, podcasts, blogs, and primary historical documents for visitors to engage with and learn about America's founding principles.
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It's located near Independence Hall
The National Constitution Center is a non-profit institution that is dedicated to the study of the U.S. Constitution. It is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in what has been called "America's most historic square mile". The address of the museum is 525 Arch Street, with the date-like address chosen because May 25 (5/25) was the date that the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia.
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 National Constitution Center as "within or in close proximity to the Independence National Historical Park". The center is designed to disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a non-partisan basis to increase awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people.
The National Constitution Center is a state-of-the-art, 160,000-square-foot museum that brings the Constitution to life through high-tech exhibits, artefacts, and interactive displays. Visitors can engage in deep thinking and analysis of the Constitution and America's founding principles. The museum also houses rare documents such as an original copy of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and one of only a dozen surviving copies of the original Bill of Rights.
The center is easily accessible by various forms of public transportation, including train, subway, bus, and trolley. It is also within walking distance of other historic attractions in Philadelphia, making it a popular cultural destination for visitors.
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It's home to the Philadelphia Liberty Medal
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia is home to the Philadelphia Liberty Medal. The Liberty Medal is an annual award that recognises leadership in the pursuit of freedom. It honours men and women of courage and conviction who strive to secure liberty for people worldwide. The award was founded by the Philadelphia Foundation and has been administered by the National Constitution Center since 2006.
The recipients of the Liberty Medal are chosen by the National Constitution Center and its board of trustees. The award ceremony is held at the Center, located just steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Historic Philadelphia. The National Constitution Center is a 160,000-square-foot museum that brings the Constitution to life through high-tech exhibits, artefacts, and interactive displays.
The Liberty Medal has been awarded to notable individuals such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Anthony M. Kennedy, Judy Woodruff, David Rubenstein, and Ron Chernow. The 2025 Liberty Medal ceremony will be held on October 17, honouring the Broadway musical "Hamilton" and its inspiration, Ron Chernow's biography.
The National Constitution Center also serves as an educational resource, providing videos, podcasts, and blog posts on constitutional topics. The museum houses rare documents such as an original copy of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and one of the few surviving copies of the original Bill of Rights.
The Philadelphia Liberty Medal and the National Constitution Center's programmes celebrate the ideals of liberty and constitutional values, honouring those who have made a significant impact in these pursuits.
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It offers civic learning resources
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia is a non-profit institution dedicated to the study of the US Constitution. The Center offers civic learning resources, both onsite and online, to help people understand the Constitution and America's founding principles.
The Center's museum features interactive exhibits, artefacts, and displays that bring the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages. It also houses rare documents, such as an original copy of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and one of only a dozen surviving copies of the original Bill of Rights. Visitors can also explore the American National Tree, a touchscreen display that provides information on citizens who have made a profound impact on the country.
In addition to its exhibits, the Center hosts public discussions, Constitution-related events, and presidential debates, welcoming government leaders, journalists, scholars, and celebrities to engage in conversations about the Constitution. The Center is also home to the Philadelphia Liberty Medal, an annual award recognising individuals who strive to secure liberty and freedom around the globe.
The National Constitution Center is committed to making its resources accessible to all. Their website offers a wealth of information, including videos, podcasts, blog posts, and primary texts related to the Constitution. Visitors can also take advantage of the "Ask a Government Question" feature, which allows them to submit questions and receive answers from experts.
The Center is located in Historic Philadelphia, just steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, contributing to the city's cultural offerings and attracting visitors from around the world.
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Frequently asked questions
The National Constitution Center is a non-profit, state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the study of the U.S. Constitution. It is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The museum uses high-tech exhibits, artefacts, and interactive displays to explore the U.S. Constitution. It 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. Visitors can also pose with life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers in Signers' Hall.
Yes, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority offers various transit services to get to the National Constitution Center, including buses, trolleys, subways, and regional rail. The Port Authority Transit Corporation also offers a high-speed train line between Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia, which stops close to the museum.
The center was created by the Constitution Heritage Act, approved on September 16, 1988, and signed by President Ronald Reagan. It opened on July 4, 2003, and has since become a cultural hub in Philadelphia, attracting a million visitors annually.
The National Constitution Center is located in what has been called "America's most historic square mile". It is within walking distance of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, which are other popular tourist attractions in Philadelphia.
