5 places to visit at the Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia

Independence National Historical Park is a historical park in Philadelphia. It was built by the colonists in 1732 to serve as Pennsylvania’s State House and holds a lot of history It is the oldest urban national park in the United States and has more than 30 historic buildings. The park consists of both historical buildings and landmarks as well as modern attractions. There are plenty of activities to do at the park, such as visiting historic sites or taking a walk on one of the many trails, dining, taking photos, etc. Here are the key attractions at theIndependence National Historical Park.

Independence Hall

Independence Hall is the most iconic landmark in Philadelphia. The building has served as a meeting place for many historic events, such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence and drafting of the U.S. Constitution. The site is now home to National Park Service offices, which manage tours and provide information about what to see inside this important piece of American history. Visitors are able to explore exhibits that detail some aspects of early Philadelphia life or walk through an interactive 3D recreation of independence.

Christ Church 

Christ Church has been around since 1695, when it was established by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). The church’s first rector was William White, who also happened to be one of the signers on the Declaration of Independence. George Washington served as a vestryman for over 20 years before he became president. Other famous founding fathers that attended the historic church.

Congress Hall

For a quick and free tour of Philadelphia, there is no better place to go than Congress Hall. Congress Hall sits adjacent to Independence Hall and served as the chambers of Congress from 1790-1800. The building was designed by William Peters in 1787. In 1817, President James Monroe commissioned Charles Bulfinch to design an addition that would provide additional space for both the House and Senate Chambers. This expansion also provided rooms for legislative committees and offices. Today, visitors can take guided tours at the hall at fee.

Benjamin Franklin Museum

The Benjamin Franklin Museum is located in Franklin Court and is built underneath where Franklin’s house once stood. The museum holds the collections of books, artifacts, letters, and photographs which are associated with his life. It also has exhibits on a variety of topics such as women’s history, early printing techniques, the Great Fire of London in 1666 which devastated much of London’s city center including St Paul’s Cathedral and damaged or destroyed about 90% of all buildings.

The Liberty Bell

America’s most famous bell, the Liberty Bell, once stood in the bell tower of Independence Hall. The iconic symbol of American freedom was first cast in 1752 and is a prized artifact from our nation’s birth. Touring the historic landmark has been on hold for decades but now that it has reopened to visitors after undergoing extensive repairs it is time to see what all the fuss is about.

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