FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FREE ADMISSION, HISTORICAL RE-ENACTMENTS, AND A 9-TON HOAGIE SALUTE PART OF THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER’S INDEPENDENCE WEEK PROGRAMMING AND WAWA WELCOME AMERICA
Admission to the museum is FREE on Tuesday, July 2, courtesy of Wawa Hoagie Day, and $5 after 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3
Philadelphia, PA (June 19, 2019) – Today, the National Constitution Center announced a full lineup of programming for its annual All-American Celebration on Independence Mall, Saturday, June 29, through Thursday, July 4. Family-friendly programs include historic character meet and greets where visitors can interact with famous figures from history such as Founding Father John Adams, 18th century games, arts and crafts activities, colonial dress up stations, and more. Visitors can join the National Constitution Center staff each morning for a spirited flag raising ceremony, and then again in the evenings as they lower the flag.
The National Constitution Center will participate in Wawa Hoagie Day on Tuesday, July 2. Admission to the museum is free on July 2, courtesy of Wawa, and includes access to the Center’s main and feature exhibits, including the new Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality gallery and Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped a Nation, as well as a display featuring Wawa’s history in the Philadelphia region and the history of the famous hoagie sandwich. In addition to Wawa Hoagie Day, the National Constitution Center will participate in events around the historic district all week long, including Philadelphia’s Historic District Block Party and Go 4th & Learn, as part of the Wawa Welcome America festival. A full listing of Wawa Welcome America events can be found here.
Additional All-American Celebration programs include the National Constitution Center’s Finding the Founders Scholarly Talks and Walking Tours on July 2. These conversations provide an expanded understanding of Independence Day—one that sees the holiday as both a celebration and an acknowledgment of America’s ongoing struggle to achieve the ideals expressed in the nation’s founding documents.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Wawa Hoagie Day with FREE ADMISSION, Tuesday, July 2 – Extended museum hours, 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 3 – Extended museum hours, 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. with $5 admission after 5 p.m.
Special Events
Free Admission Courtesy of Wawa Hoagie Day
Tuesday, July 2, 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Free admission courtesy of Wawa
The National Constitution Center and Wawa celebrate the 27th annual Wawa Hoagie Day honoring America’s troops. Attendees will enjoy a nine-ton hoagie salute of free Wawa hoagies served at noon to the crowd on Independence Mall, a performance by the U.S. Army Field Band, and a hoagie building competition between military teams, police, and firefighters.
Wawa invites all visitors to enjoy FREE ADMISSION to the National Constitution Center. In addition to the museum’s exhibits and family-fun Independence Week programs, special programs celebrating Hoagie Day will include:
What America Eats: The History of the Hoagie Show
11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 5 p.m., Grand Hall Overlook Stage
This engaging program explores the history of the American hoagie and the many names “We the People” use for this sandwich.
USO Campaign to Connect – Message Writing Stations
10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Grand Hall Overlook
Visitors can send virtual messages of support to U.S. Troops currently serving around the world at these digital message writing kiosks.
Hoagies for Heroes Displays
10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Grand Hall Overlook
At these special displays, visitors to the Center can learn about Wawa, their history of supporting the U.S. troops, and their partnership with the USO.
Finding the Founders Scholarly Talks and Walking Tours
Tuesday, July 2, 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The National Constitution Center is partnering with neighboring sites throughout Historic Philadelphia for the annual Finding the Founders event. Scholars will share their insights on equality and freedom through the lens of the American Revolution. The program will provide an expanded understanding of Independence Day—one that sees the holiday as both a celebration and an acknowledgment of America’s ongoing struggle to achieve the ideals expressed in the nation’s founding documents.
Historic “Mulberry Street” Walking Tour with Dr. George Boudreau
10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Meet at the National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, tour will conclude at Elfreth’s Alley
Dr. George Boudreau is a Postdoctoral Fellow at George Washington’s Mount Vernon and the author of Independence: A Guide to Historic Philadelphia.
Octavius Catto’s Philadelphia: Walking Tour with Joe Becton
11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Meet at Washington Square Park, 6th and Walnut, tour will conclude at the African American Museum in Philadelphia
Joe Becton is a premier tour guide and historic interpreter based in Philadelphia.
Reminder Day and the LGBT Rights Movement with Bob Skiba
11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street
Bob Skiba is the archivist and curator for the William Way Community Center
The Reconstructed Constitution with Dr. Matthew Pinsker
11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Independence Visitors Center, 6th and Market Streets
Dr. Matthew Pinsker is an associate professor of history and the Pohanka Chair in American Civil War History at Dickenson College.
Revolutionary Women with Sandra Lloyd
12 p.m. and 3 p.m., Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street
Sandra Lloyd is the historian at Historic Philadelphia, Inc.
The Future of the 14th Amendment and the Supreme Court with Dr. Bruce Murphy
12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street
Dr. Bruce Murphy is the Fred Morgan Kirby Professor of Civil Rights at Lafayette College.
A reading of Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Negro is the 4th of July?” Speech with Orator Carlo Campbell and Tours of The African American Museum in Philadelphia
Speech at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., museum tours at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. African American Museum in Philadelphia, 7th and Arch Streets
Revolutionary War Encampment
Tuesday, July 2 – Thursday, July 4, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Front and Side Lawns and Grand Hall Lobby
At the recreated military encampment at the National Constitution Center, visitors can step back in time to watch a blacksmith forge iron, practice being a Revolutionary-era soldier with a wooden musket, stop by the medical tent to visit the surgeon, and observe Continental Army soldiers march and drill on the grounds. Presented in partnership with the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment.
Meet and Greet with John Adams
Wednesday, July 3, 12:30 p.m., F.M. Kirby Auditorium
Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Thursday, July 4, 1 p.m., Front Lawn
Independence Week Concert
Wednesday, July 3, 2 p.m., Front Lawn
Visitors can enjoy a festive, free, outdoor concert performed by the USAF Heritage of America Concert Band. The Concert Band is comprised of over 40 professional Airman-musicians who captivate audiences on regular tours throughout the East Coast with a variety of renditions of great orchestral classics, marches, Broadway hits, jazz standards, movie music, and patriotic favorites. Presented in partnership with the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band.
$5 After 5 p.m. Trivia Night
Wednesday, July 3, 5 – 8 p.m.
After 5 p.m., visitors can participate in an evening of trivia, based on iCivic’s popular online, educational games, like “Do I Have the Right?” Admission to the museum is $5 after 5 p.m. Presented in partnership with iCivics.
Daily Programs
Family Fun Activities
Saturday, June 29 – Thursday, July 4, All Day
Visitors can:
- Don colonial outfits and pose for one-of-a-kind photos.
- Play graces, hoop and stick, nine pin, and other games popular during the Revolutionary era.
- Step inside an actual voting booth and cast their vote for their favorite founding figure. Presented in partnership with the Philadelphia City Commissioner’s Office.
- Create arts and crafts projects to take home.
Independence Day Show
Saturday, June 29 – Monday, July 1, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Tuesday, July 2, 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m.
Wednesday, July 3 – Thursday, July 4, 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m.
Grand Hall Overlook Stage
From parades to protests, cannons to flags waving, explosive words to fiery demonstrations, this show takes an in-depth look at the celebration of freedom from the early days of American independence to the present day.
Giant Flag Folding Challenge
Saturday, June 29 – Thursday, July 4, 3:30 p.m., Front or Side Lawn
Visitors can help members of the museum’s staff fold a giant 20-by-30-foot American flag.
Hamilton’s Early Life
Tuesday, July 2 – Thursday, July 4, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., Main Lobby
In conjunction with the Center’s feature exhibit, Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped a Nation, this interactive lobby show introduces visitors to the story of Alexander Hamilton’s early life. Visitors will learn about his experience growing up in the Caribbean and his journey to the United States, his struggle to obtain an education, and his time as a Revolutionary soldier at the right hand of George Washington.
The Road to Freedom: The Story of Slavery in America
Tuesday, July 2 – Thursday, July 4, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., Main Lobby
At this interactive program, visitors will learn about the story of slavery in America, from the period of the Constitution’s signing in 1787 up to the beginning of the American Civil War. The program will examine how the initial clauses and compromises over slavery were built into the original union and how these fractures would eventually become so wide that the nation as it had previously stood ceased to exist.
FOURTEEN: A Theatrical Performance
Tuesdays through Saturdays; please check the daily program guide upon arrival for that day’s show times. Free with general admission, group reservations recommended
Visitors can experience FOURTEEN, a moving theatrical performance that sheds light on the Reconstruction era and the ratification of the 14th Amendment. Through dramatic interpretation of original texts, such as Frederick Douglass’s open letter “To My Old Master,” the 35-minute performance will bring to life the leaders, influential figures, and everyday Americans who were central to the era. This production has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.
Admission during Independence Week includes access to the National Constitution Center’s new permanent exhibit, Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality; the interactive main exhibit, The Story of We the People; the signature multimedia, theatrical performance of Freedom Rising presented in the Sidney Kimmel Theater; and the iconic Signers’ Hall, featuring 42 life-size, bronze statues of the Founding Fathers.
Visitors also have access to the Center’s feature exhibits, including American Treasures: Documenting the Nation’s Founding, an intimate look at the rarest early drafts of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights; Constituting Liberty: From the Declaration to the Bill of Rights, highlighting the three most important documents in American history; and the Center’s Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped a Nation exhibit, which highlights the competing ideas of Alexander Hamilton and his legendary rivals.
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About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
About Wawa, Inc.
Wawa, Inc., a privately held company, began in 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey. Toward the end of the 19th Century, owner George Wood took an interest in dairy farming and the family began a small processing plant in Wawa, PA in 1902. The milk business was a huge success, due to its quality, cleanliness and “certified” process. As home delivery of milk declined in the early 1960s, Grahame Wood, George’s grandson, opened the first Wawa Food Market in 1964 as an outlet for dairy products. Today, Wawa is your all day, every day stop for freshly prepared foods, beverages, coffee, fuel services and surcharge-free ATMs. A chain of more than 840 convenience retail stores (over 600 offering fuel), Wawa stores are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington, D.C. The stores offer a large fresh foodservice selection, including Wawa brands such as custom prepared hoagies, freshly-brewed coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, specialty beverages and an assortment of soups, sides and snacks. In 2018, Wawa was recognized in Forbes as one of The Best Employers for New Grads and one of The Best Employers for Women, and as the Top-Rated Workplace for Veterans by Indeed. In 2019, Wawa was designated by Forbes as a Best Employer for Diversity.
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About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
