Description: Independence National Historic Park is 45 acres of numerous historical sites situated in downtown Philadelphia. The sites preserve the history when this country’s forefathers created the Constitution and signed the Declaration of Independence. Independence Park is operated by the National Park Service and in 1979 was designated a World Heritage Site.
A visit to the park will begin at the Independence Visitor Center where you can begin your orientation to the many different sites. There are films to educate anyone about the beginnings of the nation and the Revolutionary War. Maps are available as well as park rangers to provide one on one advice on what to do and where to go. There is no admission to the park; however, you will need a timed ticket to tour Independence Hall.
While there are many historical sites to explore, there are two which will be a disappointment if you fail to see them. The first site is the Liberty Bell which is located at the Visitor Center in the secured section. The Liberty Bell which was once housed in the tower of Independence Hall is known for its large crack and its most famous ringing when it alerted the citizens of Philadelphia to the reading of the Declaration of Independence. All visitors will have to submit to a security checkpoint, similar to those at an airport. Long lines can develop so the best times to go are usually before 11am and after 3pm.
The second important site is Independence Hall, where the Continental Congress met, and where the Constitution was created and the Declaration of Independence was signed. This is the only site in the park which requires a timed ticket. Tours are offered every twenty minutes from 9am to 4:30pm. Tickets can be obtained on the day of your visit or can be ordered online in advance for a nominal fee from www.recreation.gov. The guided tour allows you to see the rooms where the Declaration was signed and where many of our great leaders met to form the basis of this great nation.
Another interesting site is Christ Church located across the street from the Visitor Center. The church was founded in 1695 and was visited by such people as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Franklin and his wife are buried at Christ Church and visitors throw pennies on his grave as a sign of luck. There are nineteen other sites within the park that is open to the public
There are four sites located outside the park’s area but under control of the NPS. Edgar Allan Poe’s house, which is the only surviving house lived in by Poe, is free to the public to tour. Thaddeus Kosciusko National Memorial commemorates the life of this Polish patriot and hero of the American Revolution. The Gloria Dei Church is preserved as the second oldest Swedish Church founded in 1677. The last site is a statue of Benjamin Franklin located in the rotunda of the Franklin Institute.
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