Independence Hall

The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed here.

NPS photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Chestnut Street, between 5th and 6th Streets

Significance:

The birthplace of the United States

Designation:

National Historical Park

Amenities

5 listed

Assistive Listening Systems, Audio Description, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Wheelchair Accessible

Open daily 9 am to 5 pm. All visitors enter the security screening area on the south side of Independence Hall. Visitors can access the security entrance using the stairs or accessiblity ramp loacted on 5th Streeet, between Chestnut and Walnut Streets. Security screening closes 15 minutes before the building closes for the evening.

Hours:

• 9:00 am to 9:50 am—the Independence Hall experience is self-guided. Park rangers will be available to answer questions. Plan to arrive early—due to building capacity limitations, not all visitors are guaranteed entry.
• 10:00 am to 4:00pm—20 minute guided tours, every 20 minutes, tickets required on rec.gov
• 4:20 pm—40 miniute extended tour, tickets are required on rec.gov

The security screening area closes 15 minutes prior to the building closure time, or earlier if all tours are full.

In 1776, the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence here. Eleven years later, in the same room, delegates to the Constitutional Convention created and signed an enduring framework of government—the United States Constitution. Generations since have gathered in this building to test the meaning of the words "We the People" and explore the documents' relevance to their own lives. Although known today as Independence Hall, the building was constructed to be the Pennsylvania State House. It once housed all three branches of Pennsylvania's colonial government.

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  Birthplace of Freedom: A Tour of Independence Hall

  Let this film guide you through the building where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed.

  Duration:

  3 minutes, 31 seconds

Independence Hall

13 Images

In 1776, the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence here. Eleven years later, in the same room, delegates to the Constitutional Convention created and signed an enduring framework of government - the United States Constitution. Although known today as Independence Hall, the building was constructed to be the Pennsylvania State House. It once housed all three branches of Pennsylvania’s colonial government.

Independence Hall Interior Arc...

4 Images

Explore the design vocabulary of Georgian architecture as it appears in the Central Hall and Tower Stair Hall of Independence Hall. These rooms retain many of their 18th century features, such as carved masks, stair ornamentation and a Venetian window.