National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Independence National Historical Park Drawing of Proposed President's House
view map
text size: largest larger normal
printer friendly
Independence National Historical Park
Places To Go
 

Explore Independence National Park, Click here for all the details.



Independence National Historical Park was born to preserve the story of the birth of American democracy and stands, even today, as an icon of freedom for people around the world. Spanning over 55 acres on 20 city blocks within the City of Philadelphia, the park preserves and interprets resources associated with the establishment of the United States of America, including the site of the meetings of the first and second Continental Congresses and the site at which the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States of America were debated and signed. In Independence Square – now a world heritage site – the Declaration of Independence was read publicly for the first time on July 8, 1776. The park also encompasses the home of Benjamin Franklin and the First and Second Banks of the United States. Additionally, Independence is the steward of four discrete park units: the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and the Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church National Historic Site. Most notably, the park manages and displays one of the country's best-known and most enduring symbols of freedom and liberty: the Liberty Bell.

Plaques and Statues throughout the park

You are exiting the National Park Service website

Thank you for visiting our site.

You will now be redirected to:

We hope your visit was informative and enjoyable.

Last Updated: November 06, 2010 at 14:33 MST