Relive History Through the Independence National Historic Park

Independence National Historic Park offers visitors the opportunity to go back in time and journey through some of the most important landmarks in the development of the nation.

Independence Hall serves as the center of the city of Philadelphia as well as the history of the nation. It was in the Assembly Room of Independence Hall that the Declaration of Independence as well as the U.S. Constitution was created.

The National Constitution Center is one of the newest additions to the Park. This 160,000 square foot facility offers insight into the Constitution through artifacts, exhibits and interactive displays.

Carpenter's Hall is home to the site where the First Continental Congress met. A visit here will help you understand the environment in which the founding fathers met when deciding the fate of the soon to be United States. The First Continental Congress, consisting of delegates from 12 colonies, met at Carpenters' Hall. There, they met and voted in support of a trade boycott against England. This was one of the first unified acts of defiance from the colonies against England. Today, visitors can view the original banner that was carried during the Constitutional Parade in 1788 as well as the delegates' original chairs.

Congress Hall was actually the home of the United States Congress from 1790 until 1800; at which time the capital was moved to Washington D.C. This two-story brick Georgian building housed the House of Representatives on the first floor and also served as the site for John Adams' inauguration in 1797. The United States Senate was housed on the second floor of Congress Hall. Visitors today can view the carpeting which features the American eagle flanked by the seals of the original 13 states. Committee rooms adjacent to the Upper House feature large portraits of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, which were presented to the new nation from France.

A visit to Franklin Court will help you learn more about Benjamin Franklin. Here, you will find numerous exhibitions and a museum dedicated to Franklin. Not far away you will find Franklin's Print Shop. Some of the words that inspired the founding of a nation were printed in this 18th century shop.

While we may all associate the white mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as the home of our presidents, that famous building was not the home of our first president. That honor was bestowed on the Deshler-Morris House; where George Washington lived while serving as President. Although the home may seem simple by today's standards, at the time it was one of the most elegant homes in the area.

The Graff House, also known as the Declaration House, is the site where the words that created the United States were first written by Thomas Jefferson. At the time, Jefferson rented two rooms on the second floor from the owner of the home, Jacob Graff, Jr.; a prominent bricklayer in Philadelphia. Exhibits and a short film that highlights Jefferson's work on the Declaration of Independent are on display.