FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Merissa Blum, 215-409-6645
[email protected]
NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER CELEBRATES PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, THROUGH MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17
TD Bank underwrites FREE admission to the Center on Presidents Day, Monday, February 17
Philadelphia, PA (February 6, 2020) – Visitors can celebrate Presidents Day Weekend at the National Constitution Center with a variety of special presidential-themed programs and activities. Visitors will learn about the role of the president and what it takes to be commander in chief while participating in entertaining, educational programs, including presidential trivia where visitors can test their knowledge of America’s 45 presidents, craft stations, story corners, and more.
On Presidents Day Monday, visitors will experience free admission thanks to TD Bank. Special programming includes a Kids Town Hall with Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt; the Center’s annual kids presidential costume contest; and a voting booth activity, where visitors can step inside an actual voting booth to cast a vote for their favorite president.
February also marks African American History Month, and this year marks the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment, which said the right to vote could not be denied based on race. The National Constitution Center will honor that milestone all month long with special educational programs and performances in conjunction with the new Civil War and Reconstruction exhibit, including “The Road to Freedom” show, the “Four Harriets” program, and theatrical performances of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper: The Great Problem to Be Solved and FOURTEEN. African American History Month is generously sponsored by TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®. This year marks the seventh consecutive year that TD Bank has generously underwritten free admission to the Center on Presidents Day and sponsored African American History Month.
PLEASE NOTE: On Sunday, February 16, the museum’s hours will be extended, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., in celebration of Presidents Day Weekend.
Special Programs for Presidents Day: Monday, February 17
Presidential Costume Contest
9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Registration in Grand Hall Lobby
Children are encouraged to come to the National Constitution Center dressed as a U.S. president or first lady to enter the Center’s Presidential Costume Contest. Children ages 12 and under are eligible to participate. The most original costume, as judged by a panel of presidential reenactors, will be awarded a family membership, valued at $95. Winners will be selected during the 12 p.m. Kids Town Hall program.
History’s Heroes: Story Corner
9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Signers’ Hall
At the National Constitution Center’s Story Corner, the Center’s education staff will engage the youngest visitors with fascinating tales about presidents and African American heroes.
Voting Booth Activity
9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Grand Hall Lobby
Visitors will have the opportunity to step inside an actual voting booth to learn about the election process and cast their vote for their favorite historic president. This activity is presented in partnership with the Philadelphia City Commissioner’s Office.
FOURTEEN: A Theatrical Performance
10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., Bank of America Theater inside the Main Exhibit
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 brings 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. Group reservations recommended.
Kids Town Hall: Meet the Presidents
12 p.m., F.M. Kirby Auditorium
Visitors can participate in a special Kids Town Hall with some very famous guests—Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Theodore Roosevelt. The presidents will be available for photo opportunities and to sign autographs before and after the program.
Weekend Long Programming: Saturday, February 15, through Monday, February 17
Constitution 101: The Presidency and Article II
10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m., Grand Hall Lobby
At this interactive show, visitors explore Article II of the Constitution and the duties and requirements of the executive office, take part in “Who am I?” questions, as well as presidential role-play scenarios.
The Road to Freedom: The Story of Slavery in America Program
11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 2:15 p.m., Grand Hall Lobby
This interactive program explores the story of slavery in the United States through a constitutional lens, taking visitors on a journey from the time of the Constitutional Convention to the start of the Civil War. It will spotlight historic figures—like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ona Judge, Angelina Grimke, Harriet Tubman, William Still, and Abraham Lincoln—and key events—such as the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Dred Scott case, and the secession of the South.
“Four Harriets” Program
12 p.m. and 2 p.m., Main Exhibit
Visitors can explore the lives of four American women—Harriet Robinson Scott, Harriet Tubman, Harriet Jacobs, and Harriet Beecher Stowe—who confronted slavery through literature, lawsuits, and direct action in their efforts to free themselves and others from bondage.
Hail to the Chief Trivia Game
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Main Exhibit
Visitors can learn about the role of the president and the history of the executive branch during the Hail to the Chief Quiz Game. Participants will race against the clock to answer questions from a variety of categories, including “Before They Were President,” “Elections and Inaugurations,” and “Presidential Pets.”
African American History Self-Guided Tour
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Main Exhibit and Civil War and Reconstruction Exhibit
Visitors can pick up a flier at the Information Desk to take a self-guided museum tour highlighting important moments in African American history.
Giant Game Board Activity
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Grand Hall Lobby
As part of the Center’s interactive daily programming in February, visitors can test their knowledge of African American history.
Arts and Crafts Activity Tables
9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Grand Hall Lobby
Visitors can make and take home crafts, including Washington and Lincoln hats, magnets featuring heroes from African American history, campaign buttons, and more.
Admission during Presidents Day Weekend 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.
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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 TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®
TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank® is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., with over 27,000 employees and deep roots in the community dating back more than 150 years. The Bank offers a broad array of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services to more than 9 million customers through its extensive network of approximately 1,250 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida.
In addition to banking products, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth® and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance.
TD Bank is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol “TD”. For more information visit www.td.com/us.
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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.
