Eleanor Finch
The National Constitution Center is a non-profit institution located at 525 Arch Street, in the Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The center is America's first and only institution dedicated to bringing the U.S. Constitution to life through interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, and documents. The center is a state-of-the-art museum that serves as a national hub for constitutional education and outreach, hosting government leaders, journalists, scholars, and celebrities for public discussions and debates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Independence Mall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Address | 525 Arch Street |
| Date of Groundbreaking Ceremony | September 17, 2000 |
| Date Opened | July 4, 2003 |
| 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 | Interactive and themed exhibits, rare artifacts, historic documents, and live programming |
| Notable Exhibits | Original copy of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, one of a dozen surviving copies of the original Bill of Rights, Signers' Hall with life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers, Interactive American National Tree |
| Purpose | Dedicated to the study of the U.S. Constitution, increasing awareness and understanding of the Constitution among Americans, and serving as a national town hall for public discussions |
| Visitors | Approximately 1 million visitors per year |
| Health and Safety | During the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors must confirm good health and comply with mask and other safety requirements |
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What You'll Learn
- The National Constitution Center is located at 525 Arch Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- The center is a non-profit, interactive museum and national town hall
- It is the first and only institution in America established by Congress to increase awareness and understanding of the Constitution
- The center offers civic learning resources onsite and online
- The museum houses rare documents and artifacts, including an original copy of the Emancipation Proclamation
The National Constitution Center is located at 525 Arch Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The center was created by the Constitution Heritage Act, which was approved on September 16, 1988, and signed by President Ronald Reagan. The address was chosen because May 25 (5/25) was the date that the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia. The center opened on July 4, 2003, joining other historic sites and attractions in what has been called "America's most historic square mile". This is due to its proximity to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
The center has been described as a "modernist jewel of America's civic life" and has established itself as one of Philadelphia's cultural landmarks, attracting a million visitors annually. It offers engaging theatrical performances, high-tech exhibits, and interactive displays. Visitors can also pose with the Founding Fathers in Signers' Hall, which features life-size bronze statues of all 42 revolutionaries who signed the U.S. Constitution.
The National Constitution Center is more than just a museum; it serves as a national town hall, hosting government leaders, journalists, scholars, and celebrities for public discussions, Constitution-related events, and even presidential debates. The center has hosted the Philadelphia Liberty Medal since 2006, an annual award that recognizes individuals who strive to secure liberty and freedom around the globe.
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The center is a non-profit, interactive museum and national town hall
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia is a non-profit, interactive museum and national town hall. It is located at 525 Arch Street in the Independence Mall, in what has been called "America's most historic square mile". The address was specifically 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 center is a state-of-the-art, 160,000-square-foot museum that offers a unique and engaging way to explore and explain the Constitution through high-tech exhibits, rare artifacts, historic documents, and interactive displays. It is the only institution in America established by Congress to disseminate information about the Constitution in a non-partisan manner, with the goal of increasing awareness and understanding among the American people. The center does not house the original Constitution, which is stored at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. Instead, it features original documents of freedom, such as one of only a dozen surviving copies of the original Bill of Rights.
The National Constitution Center is also a national hub for constitutional education and outreach, offering civic learning resources onsite and online. It serves as a town hall, hosting 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 a million visitors annually and hosting blockbuster exhibitions.
The center's newest gallery offers an insightful look at the history and impact of the First Amendment. One of the must-see spots in the museum is Signers' Hall, where visitors can sign the Constitution alongside 42 life-size, bronze statues of the Founding Fathers. The interactive American National Tree is another highlight, providing touch screens with information on influential citizens who have shaped the country.
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It is the first and only institution in America established by Congress to increase awareness and understanding of the Constitution
The National Constitution Center is the first and only institution in America established by Congress to increase awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people. Located at 525 Arch Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the center is an interactive museum and national town hall that serves as a hub for constitutional education and outreach.
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's mission is to disseminate information about the United States Constitution in a non-partisan manner, making it accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
The National Constitution Center is a state-of-the-art museum that brings the Constitution to life through high-tech exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays. Visitors can explore 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 also features Signers' Hall, where visitors can sign the Constitution alongside 42 life-size, bronze statues of the Founding Fathers.
As America's town hall, the National Constitution Center hosts government leaders, journalists, scholars, and celebrities for public discussions, constitutional debates, and presidential debates. The center offers civic learning resources onsite and online, including timely constitutional seminars, discussions, and course materials. The center has established itself as a cultural destination in Philadelphia, attracting a million visitors a year with its educational and blockbuster exhibitions.
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The center offers civic learning resources onsite and online
The National Constitution Center, located at 525 Arch Street in the Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers a plethora of civic learning resources, both onsite and online. The center is the first and only institution in America established by Congress to educate and increase awareness and understanding of the United States Constitution among the people in a nonpartisan manner.
The center offers an immersive experience through its interactive exhibits, galleries, and displays. Visitors can explore rare artifacts, 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. They can also step into Signers' Hall, where they can sign the Constitution alongside life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers. The American National Tree, an interactive exhibit with touch screens, provides insights into the lives of influential citizens who have shaped the country.
The National Constitution Center also hosts a range of educational programs, seminars, discussions, and courses. These programs delve into constitutional history, exploring topics such as the First Amendment, executive orders, and citizenship. The center has become a hub for constitutional debates and discussions, attracting scholars, journalists, government leaders, and celebrities.
Additionally, the center provides online resources, including live virtual classes, interactive online events, and educational videos. Visitors can also access and read primary source documents that inspired the Founders and shaped modern thought about rights and liberties. These online offerings ensure that people from all over the world can engage with and learn about the United States Constitution.
The National Constitution Center, through its onsite and online resources, creates an engaging and accessible environment for individuals to deepen their understanding of the Constitution, fostering active and informed citizenship.
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The museum houses rare documents and artifacts, including an original copy of the Emancipation Proclamation
The National Constitution Center is located at 525 Arch Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is within or in close proximity to the Independence National Historical Park. The address was chosen because May 25 (5/25) was the date that the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia. The center is a non-profit institution that is devoted to the study of the Constitution of the United States. It is an interactive museum that serves as a national town hall, hosting government leaders, journalists, scholars, and celebrities who engage in public discussions, including Constitution-related events and presidential debates.
The freedom promised by the Emancipation Proclamation depended upon a Union (United States) military victory. Although it did not end slavery in the nation, it captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of Americans and fundamentally transformed the character of the war. The Emancipation Proclamation has assumed a place among the great documents of human freedom. The original document is carefully preserved and protected, and it is occasionally displayed for the public to view.
The National Constitution Center also houses one of only a dozen surviving copies of the original Bill of Rights. The museum features high-tech exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays that bring the Constitution to life. Visitors can explore the history of the First Amendment and its impact on modern times. Signers' Hall is a popular attraction, where visitors can sign the Constitution alongside 42 life-size, bronze statues of the Founding Fathers. The American National Tree is another interactive exhibit that allows visitors to learn about influential citizens who have shaped the country.
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Frequently asked questions
The National Constitution Center is located at 525 Arch Street in the Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The center is a 160,000-square-foot museum that explores the U.S. Constitution through high-tech exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays. Visitors can see 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 center also features Signers' Hall, where visitors can pose with life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers, and the interactive American National Tree, which provides information on citizens who have made a profound impact on the country.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the National Constitution Center was held on September 17, 2000, the 213th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. The center opened to the public on July 4, 2003.
