An All American Celebration
Join the National Constitution Center for an array of patriotic festivities surrounding Independence Day, including the interactive Independence Day show, exploring the history of the Declaration of Independence and how the definition of “We the People” has expanded since Thomas Jefferson penned the famous words “…all men are created equal…” in 1776. Visitors can create Colonial-era arts and crafts and stop by the museum’s Revolutionary War encampment on the museum’s front lawn. Colonial musical performances will take place throughout the week as well as appearances by some other famous historical figures (in the form of reenactors).
The National Constitution Center will offer free admission on Wawa Hoagie Day, Thursday, June 29, courtesy of Wawa. Admission will also be free for our Finding the Founders event on Sunday, July 2, courtesy of the John Templeton Foundation.
Our weeklong All American Celebration is a part of the
Wawa Welcome American Festival
Independence Week Hours
Thursday, June 29: Open Late—9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday, June 30: Open Late—9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 1: Open Late—9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 2: Open Early—9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday, July 3: Standard Hours—9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday, July 4: Standard Hours—9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Special Events
Wawa Hoagie Day and Free Museum Day at the National Constitution Center
Thursday, June 29, 2017
FREE Admission Courtesy of Wawa
Celebrate the 25th annual Wawa Hoagie Day! Attendees will enjoy a 6-ton hoagie salute, free Wawa hoagies, a performance by the USO Show Troupe and a hoagie building competition between police and firefighters of enormous proportions! This year’s Wawa Hoagie Day honors some of our nation’s most inspiring history makers. The event will include the USO, Members of the Philadelphia Police and Fire department and will be hosted by WMMR’s Preston Elliott & Casey. In addition to honoring some inspiring individuals who have made a difference in the lives of our military members, this year’s Hoagie Day will recognize Wawa’s partnership with the USO. And as always, Hoagie Day will celebrate the love, precision and passion that Wawa associates put into building and serving every Wawa Hoagie. During Hoagie Day, Wawa associates will build and serve an enormous hoagie with total ingredients weighing more than six tons!
Wawa invites all visitors to enjoy a free day at the National Constitution Center, including Freedom Rising, the story of “We the People” and Signers’ Hall, as well as the new feature exhibition “American Spirits.” In addition, a display will feature Wawa’s history in the Philadelphia Region and the history of the famous Hoagie sandwich.
World Premier of Voices of a Republic
Thursday, June 29, 2017, 10:30 a.m.
Bank of America Theatre
An original play Inspired by the theatrical ideas of 12th grade student Orlando Hidalgo, winner of the 2017 Founding Freedoms Playwriting Competition. Sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation.
The production transports museum visitors to 1787 Philadelphia, where a town crier bellows a reading of the newly minted Constitution for the United States of America. Guests will watch as the cobblestone streets become abuzz with whispers, rumors, and questions about our new nation... our new republic. Elizabeth Powel, the Mayor's wife and a friend of General Washington, has always been at the center of the city’s political conversations, but this feels different! What voices ring out in song? Whose voices remain silent? And what can we the people learn from these early Voices of a Republic?
Finding the Founders Scholarly Talks and Walking Tours
Sunday, July 2, 2017
FREE Admission Courtesy of the John Templeton Foundation
Visit the National Constitution Center and neighboring sites throughout Historic Philadelphia to join fascinating conversations with scholars, who 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.
The 1776 Experience—Revolutionary War Encampment
July 2-4, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Front Lawn
Join Revolutionary War re-enactors as you step into a re-created military encampment right on the National Constitution Center’s front lawn. Stop by the medical tent to visit the surgeon, watch the blacksmith forge steel, and see Continental Army soldiers march and drill on the grounds. You can even practice being a soldier with a wooden musket and find out if a soldiers’ life is for you!
The National Constitution Center is pleased to once again partner with the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment to present our 7th Annual Revolutionary War Encampment.
Philadelphia’s Historic District Block Party
Monday, July 3, 2017, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On Monday, July 3rd, Philadelphia’s Historic District Block Party returns with an exciting line up of events celebrating our country’s independence! Now in its third year, Philadelphia’s Historic District Block Party, will bring together thousands of attendees throughout the day to enjoy a “Main Street Americana” block party!
A casual, relaxing environment filled with activities, entertainment, artists, crafters and a variety of foods waits all who attend. The event space will feature three performance stages for artists to showcase their freedom of expression; the arts, music and speech. Throughout the day talented artists will create works of art inspired by our country’s independence on the Artist’s Stage. The Musical Performance Stage will feature community groups with pop up performances from a strolling Dixieland band, barbershop quartet, fife and drum corps and many more! Over at the Freedom of Speech Stage, actors will recite portions of historical speeches which define our country; there will also be poets, storytelling and appearances by historical characters.
Daily Programs
Family Fun Activities
Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Families can enjoy make-and-take projects, colonial candle making demonstrations, Eighteenth Century games, Thank-A-Vet postcards, and more!
Flag Etiquette Workshop
Daily, 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
Grand Overlook Stage
Join the National Constitution Center staff each morning for a spirited Flag Raising Ceremony, and then again in the evenings as we reverently lower it. In special workshops, visitors will discover the history and symbolism of the American flag and learn all about the proper way to treat it.
Voices of a Republic
Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
Bank of America Theatre
An original play Inspired by the theatrical ideas of 12th grade student Orlando Hidalgo, winner of the 2017 Founding Freedoms Playwriting Competition. Sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation.
The production transports museum visitors to 1787 Philadelphia, where a town crier bellows a reading of the newly minted Constitution for the United States of America. Guests will watch as the cobblestone streets become abuzz with whispers, rumors, and questions about our new nation... our new republic. Elizabeth Powel, the Mayor's wife and a friend of General Washington, has always been at the center of the city’s political conversations, but this feels different! What voices ring out in song? Whose voices remain silent? And what can we the people learn from these early Voices of a Republic?
Independence Day Show
Daily, 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3 p.m.
Grand Hall Overlook Stage
From parades to protests, cannons to flag waving, explosive words to fiery demonstrations, this show takes an in-depth look at this exciting celebration of freedom from the early days of American independence to the present day.
The Star-Spangled Banner: A History of Our National Anthem Show
Daily, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m.
Grand Hall Overlook Stage
Learn the story of Francis Scott Key, the Battle of Fort McHenry, and the flag that inspired our national anthem.
Giant Flag Folding
Daily, 12:45 p.m.
Families can participate as members of the museum’s staff fold our 20X30 foot American flag!