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Independence Square Improvement Project

Two story brick building with white clock tower and cupola and a statue of a man in a tricorner hat standing on a pedestal
Independence Square

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Project Overview

The Independence Square Improvement Project (ISIP) at Independence National Historical Park will rehabilitate and preserve key historic structures and features on Independence Square. The buildings undergoing improvement include:
  • Independence Hall
  • Congress Hall
  • Old City Hall
These iconic landmarks collectively attract around three million visitors every year.
In March 2025, the National Park Service (NPS) initiated the project. The work is being carried out with the help from skilled NPS maintenance assistance teams from the Historic Preservation Training Center and the Historic Architecture, Conservation & Engineering Center.
Peeling paint on Independence Hall
Damaged wood and peeling paint on a historic building.

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Key tasks of the ISIP include:

  • Designing and constructing accessible ramps
  • Masonry and monument restoration
  • Restoring interior and exterior wood elements
  • Repairing interior plaster work
  • Preserving metal finishes
  • Applying historically accurate paint finishes to the ceilings, walls, and trim
These efforts will enhance the park's infrastructure, improve accessibility, and preserve the historic fabric of the site, ensuring that Independence Hall—where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were debated and signed—remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of American freedom.

Timeline

The project will be completed by the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in July 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Independence National Historical Park

Last updated: April 25, 2025