News Releases

The National Parks of Philadelphia has started a project to improve the drainage on Independence Square and better prepare the area for the 250th anniversary in 2026 of the country's founding.

PHILADELPHIA - The National Parks of Philadelphia unveiled a newly restored guardhouse in the southeast quadrant of Washington Square. Restoration work included a new roof, exterior wood repairs, and exterior painting. The project was made possible by funds donated by the Independence Historical Trust, philanthropic partner to the National Parks of Philadelphia, and the Washington Square Committee of the Society Hill Preservation Foundation.

The National Parks of Philadelphia will host a job fair at the Independence Visitor Center (6th and Market Streets) on September 18, 2024, from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm.

PHILADELPHIA - Independence National Historical Park is excited to announce that Adrian Fernandez has been selected as Chief Ranger for the National Parks of Philadelphia. “Adrian's values and skill set match the National Park Service vision for the Semiquincentennial and beyond. He is a thoughtful leader who puts staff and visitor safety first” reported Park Superintendent, Steve Sims. Adrian has served as the National Parks of Philadelphia's deputy chief ranger since May of 2022. He begins his new duties effective September 8.

PHILADELPHIA — The Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site will close to the public for much needed upgrades to its fire detection and suppression system. The fire detection system will be replaced and a new fire suppression system will be installed throughout the complex. Consisting of two adjoining townhomes on North Seventh Street in the Spring Garden neighborhood, the site is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. Construction will begin on July 8th and be completed by the fall of 2024. The site will be closed to the public for the duration of the project.

PHILADELPHIA – The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with the Independence Historical Trust, is pleased to announce the addition of a mobility ramp on historic Independence Square. For the first time in over 20 years, visitors will not need to go through security screening for wheelchair access to the south side of the Square. “We strive to create an equal and accessible experience for all visitors to Independence National Historical Park. Now people with mobility needs can access Independence Square without going through security” said Superintendent Steven Sims. “We are excited to work with the Trust to expand direct access to more park visitors.”

Independence National Historical Park (INHP) has been awarded reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for a museum. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, the government, funders, outside agencies, and the museum-going public. It also means the park continues to meet National Standards and Best Practices for U.S. Museums and remains a member of a community of institutions that have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable to excellence. Through a rigorous process of self-assessment and review by peers, the park has shown itself to be a good steward of its resources held in the public trust and committed to a philosophy of continual institutional growth.

PHILADELPHIA — The National Park Service will soon break ground on a $14 million project at Independence National Historical Park to upgrade and replace the park’s extensive heating and cooling infrastructure and implement new energy conservation measures.

This week the National Park Service announced that 400 national parks reported a total of 325.5 million visits in 2023, an increase of 13 million or 4% over 2022.

Independence National Historical Park has withdrawn the review of a draft proposal to rehabilitate Welcome Park and closed the public comment period. The preliminary draft proposal, which was released prematurely and had not been subject to a complete internal agency review, is being retracted. No changes to the William Penn statue are planned.