FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Merissa Blum, 215-409-6645
[email protected]
NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER QUARTERLY EVENTS CALENDAR, JANUARY – MARCH 2020
Philadelphia, PA (January 7, 2020) – Today, the National Constitution Center announced various special programs and events to kick off 2020. Featured programs include special performances in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the return of FOURTEEN: A Theatrical Performance, Presidents Day Weekend activities, 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 20, and free on Presidents Day, Monday, February 17.
Now through March 31, 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 February 4, FOURTEEN: A Theatrical Performance will return to the National Constitution Center Mondays through Fridays until March 27. The moving theatrical performance sheds light on the Reconstruction era and the ratification of the 14th Amendment, and is presented in conjunction with the Center’s newest exhibit, Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality.
In fall 2019, the National Constitution Center and the African American Museum in Philadelphia announced a partnership to offer visitors a joint ticket that includes admission to both institutions for a discounted price, as well as an exclusive group package. Located just a block from each other in Philadelphia’s most historic square mile, the two institutions aim to educate the public about the whole of the American experience and the individuals who comprise ‘We the People.’ Both institutions are devoted to telling the richness of American history through interactive exhibits, priceless artifacts, and compelling storytelling.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Presidents Day Weekend, Sunday, February 16 – Extended museum hours, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
January Events
Civil War and Reconstruction Onsite Educational Programming
Regular museum hours
Free with general admission
In conjunction with the Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality exhibit and the ongoing commemorations of the 150th anniversaries of the American Civil War and the Reconstruction period, the National Constitution Center offers various onsite educational programs to engage visitors of all ages with this pivotal era in constitutional history. The onsite experience introduces visitors to central topics, including slavery in the Constitution, the Civil War and the role of the federal government, citizenship, the goals of Reconstruction and its successes and failures, key figures of the era, and the legacy of Reconstruction today. A full list of special programs and schedules can be found here.
Saturday Teacher Seminar Series: Civil War and Reconstruction
Saturday, January 11, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Free, but registration is required
Teacher Seminars take place on select Saturdays throughout the 2019-2020 school year. This full-day seminar will focus on Civil War and Reconstruction.
Members-Only Guided Tours: Civil War and Reconstruction
Saturday, January 11, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, January 21, 11 a.m.
Free for Members
A museum educator will guide Members through the exhibit featuring key figures central to the era—from Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass to John Bingham and Harriet Tubman—and discuss how the equality promised in the Declaration of Independence was finally inscribed in the Constitution by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, collectively known as the Reconstruction Amendments.
Sensory-Friendly Days
Monday, January 13, regular museum hours
Free with general admission
The National Constitution Center offers Sensory-Friendly Days throughout the year to create an accessible learning experience for people of all abilities and their families. Sensory-Friendly Days at the 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. Through modified programming, emotionally safe spaces for families, and specialized staff training, Sensory-Friendly Days provide visitors with sensory processing challenges the opportunity to experience the museum in a secure and comfortable environment.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 20
$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 universities, and performances by “Two of a Kind,” an award-winning, nationally touring, husband-wife duo.Frances Ellen Watkins Harper: The Great Problem to Be Solved—a one-actor theatrical performance in the 14th Amendment section of the new Civil War and Reconstruction exhibit highlighting Harper, a key African American figure from the Reconstruction era—will also be offered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Additional programming includes craft projects, a story corner, and other family-friendly activities.
February Events
African American History Month
February 2020 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. Visitors can also take a self-guided tour of 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.
Members-Only Guided Tours: Civil War and Reconstruction
Saturday, February 1, 1 p.m.
Thursday, February 6, 11 a.m.
Free for Members
A museum educator will guide Members through the exhibit featuring key figures central to the era—from Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass to John Bingham and Harriet Tubman—and discuss how the equality promised in the Declaration of Independence was finally inscribed in the Constitution by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, collectively known as the Reconstruction Amendments. The guided tour on Saturday, February 1, will include an in-gallery theatrical performance highlighting abolitionist and suffragist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.
Sensory-Friendly Days
Monday, February 3, regular museum hours
Free with general admission
The National Constitution Center offers Sensory-Friendly Days throughout the year to create an accessible learning experience for people of all abilities and their families. Sensory-Friendly Days at the 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. Through modified programming, emotionally safe spaces for families, and specialized staff training, Sensory-Friendly Days provide visitors with sensory processing challenges the opportunity to experience the museum in a secure and comfortable environment.
FOURTEEN: A Theatrical Performance
Mondays through Fridays, February 4 through March 27; 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 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.
Saturday Teacher Seminar Series: The Presidency
Saturday, February 8, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Free, but registration is required
Teacher Seminars take place on select Saturdays throughout the 2019-2020 school year. This full-day seminar will focus on the presidency.
Members-Only Artifact Tour: Civil War and Reconstruction
Wednesday, February 12, 2 p.m.
Free for Members
Members will enjoy a private tour and behind-the-scenes look at the Civil War and Reconstruction exhibit’s artifacts and rare documents, led by National Constitution Center Exhibit Developer Elena Popchock and Registrar Theresa Altieri Taplin. They will discuss where the artifacts on display came from, why they were selected, and more.
Presidents Day Weekend
Regular museum hours, Saturday, February 15, and Monday, February 17
Extended museum hours, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, February 16
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.
1787 Society Program and Reception: FOURTEEN Performance and Discussion
Thursday, February 20, 6:30 p.m.
Free for 1787 Society Members
Members of the National Constitution Center’s 1787 Society can enjoy an exclusive performance of FOURTEEN, a moving theatrical performance that sheds light on the Reconstruction era and the ratification of the 14th Amendment. A discussion and reception with the actors and members of the production’s creative team—including Nora Quinn, National Constitution Center director of theatre programs, and Thavolia Glymph, professor of history and law at Duke University and a scholarly advisor on the project—will follow the performance.
Sensory-Friendly Days
Sunday, February 23, regular museum hours
Monday, February 24, regular museum hours
Free with general admission
The National Constitution Center offers Sensory-Friendly Days throughout the year to create an accessible learning experience for people of all abilities and their families. Sensory-Friendly Days at the 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. Through modified programming, emotionally safe spaces for families, and specialized staff training, Sensory-Friendly Days provide visitors with sensory processing challenges the opportunity to experience the museum in a secure and comfortable environment.
March Events
Women’s History Month
August 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which expanded the right to vote to women across the country. This year in honor of the anniversary, the National Constitution Center will offer a wide variety of programs and events celebrating this constitutional milestone. Programs will kick off in March for Women’s History Month and include the “Four Harriets” program, the “Votes for Women! The Making of an Amendment” interactive show, and an educational music video workshop that looks at the Women’s Suffrage Movement—inspired by the music of Lady Gaga. At special “story stations” throughout the museum, visitors can explore the legacy of women in constitutional history, from Abigail Adams, to Sojourner Truth, to Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Saturday Teacher Seminar Series: The Second Amendment
Saturday, March 7, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Free, but registration is required
Teacher Seminars take place on select Saturdays throughout the 2019-2020 school year. This full-day seminar will focus on the Second Amendment.
Sensory-Friendly Days
Monday, March 9, regular museum hours
Free with general admission
The National Constitution Center offers Sensory-Friendly Days throughout the year to create an accessible learning experience for people of all abilities and their families. Sensory-Friendly Days at the 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. Through modified programming, emotionally safe spaces for families, and specialized staff training, Sensory-Friendly Days provide visitors with sensory processing challenges the opportunity to experience the museum in a secure and comfortable environment.
Members-Only Guided Women’s History Tours
Tuesday, March 10, 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, March 22, 10:30 a.m.
Free for Members
A museum educator will guide Members through the National Constitution Center’s main exhibit, The Story of We the People, following the journey of women’s suffrage in America and the passage of the 19th Amendment.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: An American Life featuring Lori Ginzberg
Wednesday, March 11, 6:30 p.m.
Exclusive Members-only America’s Town Hall
In advance of the June opening of the Center’s new exhibit about the 19th Amendment, National Constitution Center Member and scholar Lori Ginzberg will discuss her book Elizabeth Cady Stanton: An American Life.
Scout Days: Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA
Saturday, March 14, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Merit Badge Counseling: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Scouts $14, Adults $12, one free chaperone for every 10 scouts
On Scout Days, scouts and their leaders can learn about American history and the importance of good citizenship—all while meeting merit badge or adventure requirements. Groups receive customized agendas featuring a wide variety of activities, including tours, workshops, and games. All scouts will receive a National Constitution Center Scout Day Fun Patch.
Members-Only Exhibition Preview: The 19th Amendment
Tuesday, March 17, 2 p.m.
Free for Members
National Constitution Center Manager of Exhibition Development Sarah Winski and Exhibit Developer Elena Popchock will discuss the content and design plans for the Center’s upcoming exhibit about the 19th Amendment.
Members-Only Guided Tours: Civil War and Reconstruction
Saturday, March 21, 1 p.m.
Thursday, March 26, 11 a.m.
Free for Members
A museum educator will guide Members through the exhibit featuring key figures central to the era—from Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass to John Bingham and Harriet Tubman—and discuss how the equality promised in the Declaration of Independence was finally inscribed in the Constitution by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, collectively known as the Reconstruction Amendments. The guided tour on Saturday, February 1, will include an in-gallery theatrical performance highlighting abolitionist and suffragist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.
National History Day: Citywide Competition
Wednesday, March 18, and Thursday, March 19, 9 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
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.
Scout Days: Girl Scouts of the USA
Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.,
Scouts $14, Adults $12, one free chaperone for every 10 scouts
Girl Scouts can participate in programs designed to meet requirements for their Citizen Legacy Badge, as well as select Journey requirements. Scouts will also journey back in time to learn about our nation’s greatest women heroes, from suffragists to Supreme Court justices, at programs including women’s history trivia games and a one-of-a-kind music video workshop. All Girl Scouts will receive a National Constitution Center Scout Day Fun Patch.
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.
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.
*Visit constitutioncenter.org for the most up-to-date ticket information.
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.
###
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 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.
