FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Merissa Blum, 215-409-6645 [email protected]
NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER QUARTERLY EVENTS CALENDAR, JANUARY – MARCH 2019
Enjoy $5 discounted admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and free admission on Presidents Day
Philadelphia, PA (January 9, 2019) – Today, the National Constitution Center announced a variety of family-friendly programming to kick off 2019. Featured programs include a full day of service projects and special performances in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day weekend activities exploring the role of the commander in chief, and interactive programming for African American and Women’s history months. Admission will be discounted to $5 on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 21, and free on Presidents Day, Monday, February 18.
Additionally, through March 31, 2019, visitors can enjoy discounted admission with the National Constitution Center’s Winter Warm Up sale. Admission prices will be discounted to $10 for adults (usually $14.50) and $7.50 for youth ages 6-18 (usually $11). This promotion is valid online only; tickets must be purchased in advance.
On March 24, 2019, the National Constitution Center will host its first Sensory-Friendly Sunday, which is a new initiative the Center has launched to offer a more accessible museum experience for individuals of all abilities and their families. Learn more here.
Through its popular America’s Town Hall program series, the National Constitution Center continues to bring the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to explore the most important constitutional issues facing our country. Winter 2019 programs include an Intelligence Squared Debate on social media companies and the First Amendment, a conversation on leadership with General Stanley McChrystal, and a discussion on religious liberty in partnership with Interfaith Philadelphia.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Presidents Day Weekend, Sunday, February 17 – Extended museum hours, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
January Events
Members’ Event: Film Screening of On the Basis of Sex
7 – 9:30 p.m., Monday, January 14
$25 Members & 1787 Society
Members of the National Constitution Center are invited to a private screening of the new Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic, On the Basis of Sex, starring Felicity Jones and Armie Hammer. Following the movie, Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center and author of the forthcoming Conversations with RBG, will moderate a conversation with Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer movie critic emerita and senior book critic at Film Quarterly, Kelsi Corkran, a partner in the Supreme Court & Appellate Practice at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe and former law clerk to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Marty Moss-Coane, host of WHYY’s weekday program Radio Times. This event will take place at the Landmark Ritz Five located at 214 Walnut Street, between Second and Third Streets.
General Stanley McChrystal: History’s Greatest Leaders
6:30 p.m., Thursday, January 17
Free for 1787 Society Members, $10 Members, teachers & students, $18 Non-Members
What makes a leader? In his new book, Leaders: Myth and Reality, four-star general and former commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, profiles 13 of history’s greatest leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, and McChrystal’s former hero Robert E. Lee, to show that leadership is not what you think it is—and never was.
School Supplies Drive
Through Monday, January 21
$2 off admission
Now through Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 21, 2019, the National Constitution Center invites visitors to donate newly purchased school supplies such as pens, pencils, crayons, copy paper, folders, and age appropriate books for Philadelphia schools. Visitors making a school supply donation will receive $2 off admission through Sunday, January 20, 2019. Donations can be dropped off at the Center’s box office during museum hours and will become part of the Center’s activities marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Monday, January 21
$5 admission
The National Constitution Center will honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s lifelong dedication to justice, equality, and service for the greater good. Special programs include a moving reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, performed by a diverse ensemble of local actors and students from local colleges, and concerts by “Two of a Kind,” an award-winning, nationally touring, husband-wife duo. Additional programming includes craft projects, a story corner, and other family-friendly activities. The Center is also organizing the donation of books and school supplies for Philadelphia school students. Visitors will be invited to help museum staff and Alex Holley, co-host of FOX 29’s “Good Day Philadelphia,” sort the supplies in preparation for delivery to the schools and other facilities. Items can be dropped off at the Center’s box office through January 21.
Members’ Event: Hamilton Exhibit After Hours Gallery Talk
5:30 p.m., Thursday, January 24
Get an in-depth look at Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped a Nation with a Members-only guided tour. An educator from the Center will lead you through this exhibit, offering insight into Alexander Hamilton’s role in the debates that formed the new nation and how his legacy continues to be a part of national discourse.
Teacher Seminar Series: Alexander Hamilton
8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday, January 26
Free, but registration is required.
In December 2018, the National Constitution Center launched a series of Teacher Seminars which take place on select Saturdays throughout the 2018-19 school year. The seminars welcome Philadelphia classroom teachers currently working with grades 5, 8, 10, and 11. The full-day programs include exhibit tours, modeled classroom activities, and training in civil dialogue techniques—totaling four reportable hours of professional development. The topic of this January 26 seminar is Alexander Hamilton.
February Events
African American History Month
Throughout February, the National Constitution Center will host a variety of programs in honor of African American History Month. Visitors can explore the museum’s The Story of We the People exhibit to discover key milestones in African-American history and then test their knowledge at the Center’s giant game board activity. Visitors will learn about the history of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil War, and the background of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.
Michael Tomasky: How to Fix Political Polarization in America
12 p.m., Wednesday, February 13
Free for Members, $5 Teachers & students, $8 Non-Members
In his new book, If We Can Keep It: How the Republic Collapsed and Might be Saved, Daily Beast special correspondent Michael Tomasky offers an original account of the deep roots of political polarization in America and—in a refreshing and hopeful twist—offers an agenda for how to fix it.
Presidents Day Weekend
Regular museum hours, Saturday, February 16, and Monday, February 18
Extended museum hours, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, February 17
General admission Saturday and Sunday
Free admission on Monday, courtesy of TD Bank
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, programming includes a Kids Town Hall with Presidents George Washington, 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.
Members’ Event: Hamilton Exhibit Gallery Talk
10:30 a.m., Friday, February 22
Get an in-depth look at Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped a Nation with a Members-only guided tour. An educator from the Center will lead you through this exhibit, offering insight into Alexander Hamilton’s role in the debates that formed the new nation and how his legacy continues to be a part of national discourse.
Teacher Seminar Series: Separation of Powers
8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday, February 23
Free, but registration is required.
In December 2018, the National Constitution Center launched a series of Teacher Seminars which take place on select Saturdays throughout the 2018-19 school year. The seminars welcome Philadelphia classroom teachers currently working with grades 5, 8, 10, and 11. The full-day programs include exhibit tours, modeled classroom activities, and training in civil dialogue techniques—totaling four reportable hours of professional development. The topic of this February 23 seminar is Separation of Powers.
March Events
Women’s History Month
Throughout March, the National Constitution Center will host a variety of special programs in honor of Women’s History Month. Visitors can explore the museum’s The Story of We the People exhibit to discover defining moments in women’s history and then test their knowledge at the Center’s giant game board activity. Visitors can also participate in a fun and educational music video workshop that looks at the Women’s Suffrage Movement, inspired by the music of Lady Gaga. Artifact highlights include a collection of items from the movement for women’s suffrage and the effort to pass an Equal Rights Amendment.
Intelligence Squared U.S. Debate: Can Constitutional Free Speech Principles Save Facebook from Itself?
6:30 p.m., Monday, March 4
Free for 1787 Society Members, $30 Members, teachers & students, $38 Non-Members
Some are calling for Facebook, Twitter, and other social media companies actively to police content on their platforms while others caution that enforcing content moderation would violate First Amendment principles—even if the First Amendment itself doesn’t bind private companies. Top legal scholars and social media representatives join the Center for a constitutional debate about whether or not free speech principles can save Facebook from itself. This program is presented in partnership with Intelligence Squared U.S. and sponsored in-part by a generous grant from the Charles Koch Foundation.
Scout Day: Girl Scouts of the USA
8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday, March 9
Scouts $14, Adults $12, one free chaperon for every 10 scouts
Girl Scouts from Brownies to Seniors will participate in programs and workshops that explore the ins and outs of our government, elections, and jury system, all designed to meet requirements for their Citizen Legacy Badge. Girls of all ages will also have the opportunity to explore women’s history with trivia games and a one-of-a-kind music video workshop. During these special programs, scouts will journey back in time to learn about our nation’s greatest women heroes, from suffragists to Supreme Court justices. All scouts will receive a National Constitution Center Scout Day Fun Patch.
National History Day: Citywide Competition
9 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., Wednesday, March 13, and Thursday, March 14
The National Constitution Center will host this year’s citywide National History Day competition for Philadelphia. Each year, thousands of middle and high school students and teachers across the United States participate in National History Day, a yearlong educational program that culminates in a national contest every June. Students compete in a local contest, the winners move on to a state competition, and those winners move on to the national competition in Washington, D.C. Along the way, every participant gains first-hand experience conducting historical research and producing a documentary, exhibit, essay, performance, or website.
Members’ Event: New Member Open House and Tour of Signers’ Hall
10 a.m., Saturday, March 16
New and renewing Members are invited to enjoy coffee and conversation with other Members, and learn more about the National Constitution Center and the education programs made possible through Member support. The event will conclude with a tour of the iconic Signers’ Hall, featuring 42 life-size bronze statues of the signers of the Constitution.
Free Speech on Campus: Where Should Universities Draw the Line?
6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Monday, March 18
Free for 1787 Society Members, $10 Members, teachers & students, $18 Non-Members
What are the key challenges facing universities today in supporting free expression on campus? This event includes back-to back panels with former university presidents Teresa Sullivan of the University of Virginia and Mark Yudof of the University of California, current president Tom Sullivan of The University of Vermont, and others exploring current debates about the First Amendment on campus. Panelists will address such topics as the heckler’s veto and related challenges involving campus disruption and violence; possible tensions between protecting free expression and promoting inclusion and diversity; the complicated relationship between academic freedom and free speech on campus; and more. This program is presented in partnership with the Academic Engagement Network.
Scout Day: Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA
8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Merit Badge Counseling: 1 – 5 p.m., Saturday, March 23
Scouts $14, Adults $12, one free chaperon for every 10 scouts
With an action-packed day at the National Constitution Center, scouts can enjoy learning about American history and the importance of good citizenship—all while meeting merit badge or adventure requirements. Programs include flag raising ceremonies, mock trials, trivia games, primary source workshops, and more. All scouts will receive a National Constitution Center Scout Day Fun Patch.
Sensory-Friendly Sunday
Regular museum hours, Sunday, March 24
General admission
Sensory-Friendly Sundays at the National Constitution Center incorporate a variety of programs and learning techniques developed for visitors with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorders, intellectual disabilities, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities into the everyday visitor experience. Learn more here.
Challenges to Religious Liberty Today
6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 27
Free for 1787 Society Members, teachers & students, $10 Members, $18 Non-Members
From nuns seeking exemptions from health care mandates to a baker who refused to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple, questions about religion and the Constitution are at the center of our national debate. Legal experts from differing perspectives, including Stephanie Barclay, Elizabeth Clark, Tobias Wolff, and Robin Fretwell Wilson, explore what happens when religious liberty collides with anti-discrimination laws and regulations protecting LGBTQ and other minority groups. This program is presented in partnership with Interfaith Philadelphia and as part of their year-long civil dialogue series, A Year of Civil Conversations.
Please note: All programs are subject to change. Please call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org for the most up-to-date program information.
Feature Exhibits
Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped a Nation explores Hamilton’s fraught relationships with James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Aaron Burr. Examining the personalities and constitutional debates that shaped America, the exhibit provides an intimate look into Alexander Hamilton’s enduring role in the constitutional and political arguments that continue to create sparks to this day.
Alexander Hamilton Experience at the National Constitution Center
Regular museum hours, now through April 2019
Free with general admission
Visitors can learn about Founding Father Alexander Hamilton with the ultimate Hamilton museum experience. Visitors will:
- View the Center’s iconic exhibits through a new lens as museum staff share favorite tales of Alexander Hamilton at STORY STATIONS throughout Signers’ Hall and The Story of We the People.
- Stop by the lobby for a riveting, interactive SHOW about Hamilton’s early life.
- Put their knowledge to the test at the Center’s Hamilton TRIVIA game.
American Treasures: Documenting the Nation’s Founding explores the drafting of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, highlighting the key proposals and significant compromises that influenced the early drafts and shaped the document’s final text. Visitors are introduced to the crucial figures who played a role in shaping the Constitution—from James Madison to James Wilson, America’s most important champion of popular sovereignty, or government by “We the People,” and Gouverneur Morris, often credited as the primary writer of the Constitution’s final text.
Constituting Liberty: From the Declaration to the Bill of Rights
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are the three most important documents in American history. They express the ideals that define “We the People of the United States” and inspire free people around the world. Experience these historic documents in Constituting Liberty.
Ticket Information
General Admission: Adults $14.50; Youth (6-18) $11; Students w/ID and Seniors $13. Members, active military personnel, and children ages 5 and under are free. Admission for 15 or more is $7.50 for student and youth groups; $9 for adult and senior groups.
The National Constitution Center is located at 525 Arch Street on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall. The Center is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
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About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia inspires citizenship as the only place where people across America and around the world can come together 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 center for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire, excite, and engage citizens about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
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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.
