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HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS / INDEPENDENCE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

Known as “America’s most historic square mile,” Independence Park in Philadelphia is often called the birthplace of our nation and preserves some of our nation’s most important historical sites. This 45-acre expanse features approximately 20 buildings that are open to the public. Highlights include the international symbol for freedom, the Liberty Bell; the World heritage Site of Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were created, and a Ben Franklin memorial where the statesman and inventor’s home once stood. Maps, directories, and introductory films are available at the Independence Visitor’s Center located in the heart of the district at 3rd and Chestnut Streets. The following is just a brief listing of available attractions. For more complete information or answers to your questions, contact:

Independence Visitor’s Center
215-925-6101
800-537-7676
www.phlvisitorcenter.com

Independence Mall Highlights

African American Museum
701 Arch Street
215-574-0380
www.aampmuseum.org
Founded in 1976 during the U.S. Bicentennial, this outstanding museum collects, preserves, and interprets the African American culture of the Americas.

The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
219 South 6th Street
215-925-2688
www.philaathenaeum.org
Extraordinary in its scope, this museum founded in 1814 preserves materials connected with the history and antiquities of America.

Atwater Kent Museum
15 South 7th Street
215-685-4830
www.philadelphiahistory.org
Founded more than 60 years ago as the city’s history museum, this important venue offers interactive experiences for all ages.

Bartram’s Garden
54th Street & Lindbergh Boulevard
215-729-5281
www.bartramsgarden.org
The homestead of America’s first botanist John Bartram (1699-1777) honors a towering scientific figure with the nation’s oldest living botanical garden.

Betsy Ross House
239 Arch Street
215-686-1252
www.ushistory.org/betsy
Seemingly as tidy and quaint as it must have been in 1740, the home of the nation’s most famous seamstress is one of the most visited in the park.

The Bourse
111 South Independence Mall East
215-625-0300
http://bourse-pa.com
The Philadelphia Bourse was the first in the world to house simultaneously a stock exchange, maritime exchange, and grain-trading center.

Carpenters’ Hall
320 Chestnut Street
215-925-0167
www.carpentershall.org
This historic treasure filled with antiques has been owned by the oldest trade guild in America since 1770 and was used in 1774 by the First Continental Congress.

Christ Church & Burial Ground
Market at 2nd Street
215-922-1695
www.christchurchphila.org
Serving as an architectural landmark, the church welcomed many prominent worshipers. The adjoining burial ground features the graves of Benjamin and Sarah Franklin and five signers of the Declaration of Independence.

City Tavern
138 South 2nd Street
215-413-1443
www.citytavern.com
Enjoy lunch at the same tavern where delegates to the First and Second Continental Congresses and Philadelphia’s elite once met and conversed.

Congregation Mikveh Israel & Cemetery
44 North 4th Street
215-922-5446
www.mikvehisrael.org
One of the nation’s oldest Jewish congregations with Spanish-Portuguese traditions also claims Philadelphia’s oldest Jewish cemetery.

Congress Hall
6th and Chestnut Streets
800-537-7676
Both the U.S. House and Senate met in this richly embellished Federal-style building from 1790 to 1800.

The Curtis Center
601 Walnut Street
215-923-1610
https://www.facebook.com/TheDeliAtTheCurtisCenter/
Don’t miss the glass mosaic Dream Garden in the lobby of the birthplace of publications like the Ladies’ Home Journal, Jack and Jill, and the Saturday Evening Post.

Declaration (Graff) House
599 South 7th Street
215-965-7676
http://www.theconstitutional.com/blog/2014/08/18/declaration-house-graff-house
Renting a room from Jacob Graff, Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence and entertained other members of Congress in the sitting room.

Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site
532 North 7th Street
215-597-8780
www.nps.gov/edal
The famous poet and author’s six years in Philadelphia from 1838 to 1844 were some of his most productive.

Elfreth’s Alley & Mantua Maker’s Museum House
124-26 Elfreth’s Alley
215-574-0560
www.elfrethsalley.org
The oldest residential street in the nation showcases 33 historic homes, many that were built prior to our nation’s birth.

Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
Ten Independence Mall
215-574-6000
www.phil.frb.org
At 5th and Arch streets, the mint produces 1.8 million coins an hour or 13.5 billion coins every year.

First Bank of the United States
120 South 3rd Street
215-965-2305
www.history.com/topics/bank-of-the-united-states
This historic bank was originally founded by Alexander Hamilton to handle the Revolutionary War debt and create standard currency.

Fireman’s Hall
147 North 2nd Street
215-923-1438
http://firemanshall.com
This restored 1898-1902 firehouse showcases the history of firefighting in America from 1731 to the present.

Franklin Court
322 Market Street
215-965-2305
www.phlvisitorcenter.com/attraction/franklin-court
One the site of Ben Franklin’s home, the court today features the U.S. Postal Service Museum, the Franklin Print Shop, and the Franklin Museum.

Independence Hall
520 Chestnut Street
215-965-2305
www.nps.gov/inde/index.htm
Appropriately named, the Declaration of Independence was adopted in this hall where the U.S. constitution was written.

Liberty Bell Pavilion
6th and Market Streets
215-597-8974
www.ushistory.org/libertybell
The entire building was specifically designed to give an unrestricted 24-hour view of the nation’s symbol of freedom, which is glass-enclosed.

Library Hall
105 South 5th Street
215-440-3400
www.amphilsoc.org
Founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin and his friends, the Library Company became the first collection available to the public.

Independence Seaport Museum
Penn’s Landing
Philadelphia 215-413-8655
www.phillyseaport.org
Enjoy the region’s colorful maritime heritage with family-oriented interactive exhibits, ship models, artifacts, and art.

National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street
215-409-6600
www.constitutioncenter.org
This groundbreaking new museum invites guest to review important moments in our nation’s history through interactive media.

National Liberty Museum
321 Chestnut Street
215-925-2800
www.libertymuseum.org
This outstanding tribute to liberty features four floors of wall displays, interactive touch-screen computers, and dazzling glass artwork.

National Museum of American Jewish History
101 South Independence Mall East
215-923-3811
www.nmajh.org
Don’s miss the only museum dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting artifacts relating to the American Jewish experience.

New Hall Military Museum
320 Chestnut Street
800-537-7676
www.ushistory.org/tour/new-hall.htm
This modest two-floor museum is devoted to the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marines as well as early American military history.

Old City Hall
5th & Chestnut Streets
800-537-7676
www.ushistory.org/tour/old-city-hall.htm
Master carpenter David Evans was the architect of this majestic home of the Supreme Court from 1790 to 1800.

Old St. Joseph’s Church & National Shrine
321 Willings Alley
215-923-1733
www.oldstjoseph.org
Philadelphia’s first Catholic Church; serves as the National Shrine of Religious Freedom.

Olde St. Augustine Church
Fourth & New Streets
215-627-3911
www.ushistory.org/tour/st-augustine.htm
This Italian Revival church excels in historic significance including the birthplace of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the forerunner of Villanova University.

Penns Landing
Columbus Avenue between South & Vine Streets
215-928-8801
www.ushistory.org/tour/penns-landing.htm
Brimming over with tourist attractions and encompasses the site where William Penn first touched ground in his “greene country towne.”

Pennsylvania Hospital
800 Spruce Street
215-829-3000
www.pennmedicine.org/pahosp/
The nation’s first hospital was founded in 1751 through the efforts of a caring group of citizens led by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond.

Physick House
321 South 4th Street
215-925-7866
www.ushistory.org/tour/physick-house.htm
Built by Henry Hill, this elaborate 32-room home served as the 1800s residence of the “Father of American Surgery,” Philip Syng Physick.

Polish American Cultural Center Museum
308 Walnut Street
215-922-1700
www.polishamericancenter.org
This modest venue celebrates American patriot Thaddeus Kosciuszko along with a host of other Polish-American, Polish, and American heroes.

Powel House
244 South Third Street
215-627-0364
www.ushistory.org/tour/powel-house.htm
Wealthy Samuel Powel welcomed George and Martha Washington frequently and met dignitaries in the company of Voltaire, the Pope, and the Duke of York.

President’s House
Market Street near 6th Street
800-537-7676
www.ushistory.org/presidentshouse/
The home of presidents Washington and Adams also saw Benedict Arnold begin his treacherous plotting with the British.

St. George’s United Methodist Church
235 North 4th Street
215-925-7788
www.historicstgeorges.org
Celebrated as America’s oldest Methodist church in continuous service, this historic site includes a museum and historic center adjoining the church.

Second Bank of the United States
420 Chestnut Street
800-537-7676
http://www.ushistory.org/tour/second-bank.htm
Formed in response to the War of 1812 debt, this Greek Revival building circa 1824 displays the “Portraits of the Capital City” exhibit.

Society Hill
Washington Square to Delaware River
800-537-7676
www.ushistory.org/districts/societyhill/index.htm
Showcasing the Hill-Physick-Keith House and other handsome historic structures, this area appeals to the senses with its serpentine walkways, abrupt angles, and tiny alleys.

Todd House
4th & Walnut Streets
800-537-7676
www.ushistory.org/tour/todd-house.htm
Before she was widowed and married former president James Madison, Dolley Madison shared this Georgian home with her first husband, lawyer John Todd.

Washington Square & Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Center of Walnut Street & 7th Street
215-965-2305
www.ushistory.org/tour/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier.htm
Once home to the nation’s oldest publishing house, the city’s five original squares now encompasses a medley of housing, the Athenaeum, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and several historic businesses.

Welcome Park
2nd Street & Samson Street Alley
800-537-7676
www.ushistory.org/tour/welcome-park.htm
Built in 1982, this open-air museum is the only site in Historic Philadelphia that celebrates the life and contributions of William Penn.