There are many traces in Philadelphia of stirring events from American history. The Independence National Historic Park maintains over 20 museums and other sites that celebrate Philadelphia’s role in American history, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
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Independence Square
Independence Square, now part of Independence National Historical Park, has been a hub of information since colonial times. This open space lay next to the State House, the main government building.
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Citizens gathered here to debate whether the North American colonies should break with Great Britain and, in 1776, to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. During the summer of 1789, the framers of the United States Constitution strolled here when they needed fresh air.
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State House (Independence Hall)
Independence Square faces the State House (Independence Hall), the birthplace of the United States of America. It was here that the nation’s founders signed the Declaration of Independence and delegates from 13 new states met to craft the Constitution.
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John Barry Statue
This statue honors John Barry (1745–1803), who has been called “the father of the American navy.” At the start of the Revolution, Barry helped to organize the first Continental fleet. Ships under his command captured over 20 British vessels.
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Philosophical Hall
Philosophical Hall, next to Independence Hall, housed the American Philosophical Society and now contains the American Philosophical Society Museum. Benjamin Franklin and some friends founded the society in 1743. Their goal was to study “natural philosophy” (aka science).
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American Philosophical Society Library
The modern building across the street from Philosophical Hall is the American Philosophical Society’s library. The building sits where the Library Company was founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731. This was the first free library in North America.
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Independence Hall
Independence Hall is the birthplace of the United States of America. It was here, in 1776, that the nation’s founders signed the Declaration of Independence. In 1781, Congress drew up the Articles of Confederation, the nation’s first constitution.
Signers' Hall (2003) by National Constitution CenterNational Constitution Center
In 1789, delegates from 13 new states met here to debate and shape the U.S. Constitution. This building and the adjoining Congress Hall were the nation’s political center until 1800, when the U.S. government moved to Washington, D.C.
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Congress Hall
Completed in 1789, this building soon became the capital of the nation. The U.S. Congress met here between 1790 and 1800. The downstairs chamber was for the House of Representatives, and the upstairs assembly room was for the Senate.
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Assembly Rooms
The delegates to the Second Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention met in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania legislature, on the State House’s first floor. Both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were adopted here.
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The Liberty Bell Center
The Liberty Bell Center showcases the Liberty Bell, a well-known symbol of American freedom. This bell once hung in the State House’s tower and it rang out to announce important news, including the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
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National Constitution Center
At the far end of the mall is the National Constitution Center, a museum, library, and learning center devoted to the U.S. Constitution. Its attractions include Signers’ Hall, which has 42 life-sized statues of the signers of the Constitution.
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Library Hall
Built in 1958, this building is a partial recreation of the original Library Hall, built in 1789-90 on the site of the Library Company of Philadelphia. The Library Company was founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin, and Library Hall was the first free library in North America.
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Today the library functions as an independent research library and houses an important collection of rare books and manuscripts as well as photographs and prints. It is open to the public free of charge.
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Statue of Benjamin Franklin
This statue honors Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), a United States founding father who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He was also a printer, a writer, a scientist and inventor, and a founder of Philadelphia institutions like the American Philosophical Society and the Library Company.
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Old City Hall
The building on the corner of 5th and Chestnut Streets was built to serve as Philadelphia City Hall. It was completed in 1791. The United States Supreme Court used a chamber in this building between 1791 and 1800.
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American Philosophical Society Museum (Philosophical Hall)
This 18th-century building was the headquarters of the American Philosophical Society. Today it contains a museum with over 12,000 books, scientific instruments, patent models, maps, and other objects. Additional treasures include a copy of the Declaration of Independence.
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Franklin Court
Benjamin Franklin’s house was located on Market Street, near the corner of Fourth Street. There are only traces left of the original structure. To see these traces, visitors can walk through the arched doorway.
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In the interior court, a “ghost building” outlines where the house once stood. The Benjamin Franklin Museum is also accessed through this interior court.
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Post Office
This is a replica of an 18th-century post office, similar to the post offices that Benjamin Franklin operated. Franklin was appointed Postmaster-General for Philadelphia in 1737. In 1753, he was appointed deputy postmaster-general for all the colonies.
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Printing Office
Through hard work and talent, Franklin made his fortune in printing. He printed newspapers, hymnbooks, sermons—even paper money. He also printed Poor Richard’s Almanack, a popular periodical for which he did most of the writing.
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Home of Benjamin Franklin Bache
Benjamin Franklin Bache (1769–1790), Benjamin Franklin’s grandson, lived in the house next to the printing office. Bache was a writer and newspaper publisher who, as a Republican, opposed many of the policies of Presidents George Washington and John Adams.
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Market Street
Market Street, once called High Street, was an important artery in Old Philadelphia. Benjamin Franklin walked down this street on his very first day in Philadelphia. Within a few weeks, young Benjamin had a job as a printer’s assistant.
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Carpenters’ Hall
Carpenters’ Hall was and is owned by the Carpenters Company of the City and County of Philadelphia, a society of builders. This building is a reconstruction of the original building. Carpenters’ Hall was the site of the First Continental Congress, which convened here in 1774.
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The purpose of the Congress was to discuss how Britain’s 13 American colonies should respond to the Intolerable Acts, a new set of British laws that the colonists considered unfair.
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Military Museum at New Hall
This museum introduces visitors to the history of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps during the American Revolution and America’s first years. The circa-1791 original building contained the office of Henry Knox, the first Secretary of War.
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Cobblestone Streets
The neat cobblestoned streets and bricked sidewalks of Philadelphia’s historic district are yet another legacy of Benjamin Franklin. During the 1750s, he led a campaign for paving streets and sidewalks and keeping them clean.
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President’s House Site
During their office terms, Presidents George Washington (1790–1797) and John Adams (1797–1800) lived in a 3-story brick house at the corner of Sixth and Market Streets.
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Although the original building is no longer there, the public can now walk through a reconstruction and imagine the lives of the presidents and their households. Washington’s household bustled with over 30 occupants, including enslaved people.
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Adams did not own slaves. He kept a smaller household and lived simply.
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Greek Revival Architecture
The original house was a 3-story mansion built in Greek revival style. The classical columns and simple pediment are characteristic of this style. The house’s owner was Robert Morris (1734–1806), a wealthy merchant who helped finance the American Revolution.
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State House (Independence Hall)
Independence Hall (formerly the State House), built between 1732-1756, is representative of the Greek Revival architectural style. Its rows of regular windows and its 2 arched passageways are symbolic of this style, which stressed symmetry and simplicity of form.
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Independence Visitor Center
The Independence Visitor Center provides services for the thousands of visitors who come to Independence National Historic Park. The center has background exhibits and provides public restrooms and food services. Walking tours of the park begin here as well.
