Visit Independence National Park

Step inside Independence Hall. This courtroom served as the seat of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in the 18th century. It stands as a powerful symbol of the judicial branch of government and early American jurisprudence, where principles of law and justice were defined for a developing nation.

Located on the ground floor of Independence Hall, this courtroom was where the colonial and early national Pennsylvania Supreme Court held session. Just beyond the wooden balustrade sits the judges' bench, topped by a 1785 painting of the Pennsylvania Coat of Arms. 

On the upper floor of Independence Hall, this elegantly appointed room served as the meeting place for the royal Governor and his influential executive council during the colonial era. Complete with a long conference table, period-accurate writing desks, and a grand fireplace.

This grand entrance hall on the ground floor of Independence Hall serves as the central thoroughfare connecting the Assembly Room and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chamber.

Looking north across the grassy expanse of Independence Square, visitors are treated to a clear view of Independence Hall’s iconic south facade. Historically designated as a "public greene and walk forever" in 1732, this very square hosted the first public reading of the Declaraion.

This view highlights the architectural legacy flanking the park. In the background stands Old City Hall—which served as the home of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1791 to 1800—alongside the American Philosophical Society's Philosophical Hall.

Standing prominently in Independence Square with the south facade of Independence Hall rising in the background, this bronze monument honors Commodore John Barry. Known as the "Father of the American Navy," the Irish-born Revolutionary War hero was appointed by George Washington.

The entry corridor inside the modern Liberty Bell Center features a curved granite wall inscribed with the words "America's Liberty Bell." This hallway guides visitors through a series of historical exhibits and multi-media displays detailing the bell's origins.

Suspended in a glass chamber at the culmination of the exhibit trail, the Liberty Bell rests with its iconic fracture prominently on display. Through the floor-to-ceiling glass wall behind it, visitors are offered a dramatic, aligned view looking south toward the steeple.