Town Hall Program Policies

General Policies for On-site Programs

Please note: The National Constitution Center is not currently offering on-site America’s Town Hall programs. Join us for a series of online Town Hall programs for free which are accessible from your home computer, laptop, or any mobile device. See a full list of upcoming programs here

Registration

Registration is recommended for all programs. Reserve your seats today at our Admission’s Desk, online at constitutioncenter.org, or by calling 215-407-6700 during normal museum hours. Current museum hours can be found here.

Parking

For most programs, discounted parking is available in our parking garage on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking availability for each program will be posted on our website two weeks prior to each event.

Check-In

Seating begins one hour prior to the program start time and programs last approximately one hour unless otherwise noted. For faster check-in, present your eTicket at registration.

Standby Line

Although programs occasionally run out of advance tickets, tickets may still become available at the door. We will have a standby line at events that reach capacity and will release any unoccupied seats on a first-come, first-served basis once the program begins.

Latecomers

Please be aware that all programs start promptly at the scheduled start time. Late seating is not guaranteed and latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the event staff. 

Accessibility

The National Constitution Center is committed to making its facilities, exhibits, and programs accessible for all audiences. View our Accessibility Policy.

Electronic Equipment

Guests and staff are asked to silence all cell phones, watch alarms, and other sound-emitting devices before a Town Hall program. Flash photography and detachable lenses are not allowed. Photos permitted with non-professional point and shoot cameras and cell phones are permitted, unless noted otherwise. Filming or audio recording of events by audience members is strictly prohibited. 

Recording by the National Constitution Center

Guests attending an America’s Town Hall program consent to their likeness being used, without compensation, in museum collateral including but not limited to print, digital advertising, and social media whether now known or hereafter devised, for eternity, and they release the National Constitution Center, its successors, assigns and licensees from any liability whatsoever of any nature. Guests who would prefer not to be photographed should alert a National Constitution Center staff member.

Guests Under 18

The National Constitution Center is committed to providing educational experiences for audience members of all ages, although most America’s Town Hall programs may not be suitable for children under the age of 12. All children over the age of 5 must have a ticket and children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. We ask that all children attending a Town Hall program sit quietly throughout the discussion. The Center does present a variety of fun, engaging museum programs and Student Town Halls designed especially for children. 

Food and Drink

Complimentary coffee, tea, and water are available at most daytime Town Hall programs. Food and drink are not allowed in the Sidney Kimmel Theater. Drinks without lids and food are not permitted in the F.M. Kirby Auditorium.

Pre-Purchased Books

For many programs, guests have the option to pre-purchase copies of a featured speaker’s book with their ticket. All pre-purchased books can be picked up at registration. If a guest is unable to attend a program for which they have pre-purchased a book, please contact [email protected] within 72 hours following the program to arrange for book pickup. Books that are not claimed within 72 hours will be retuned and are not eligible for a refund. The National Constitution Center will not mail books to guests.

Code of Conduct for On-site, Off-site, and Online Programs

Code of Conduct

In an effort to provide an enjoyable and safe environment for all guests and employees, all guests and employees in attendance are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that respects others and does not bully, endanger, discriminate against, or harass anyone partaking in or attending National Constitution Center programs or events. The Center does not tolerate discrimination or harassment in any form.

The National Constitution Center reserves the right to remove and/or refuse entry to anyone who fails to abide by the Center’s rules and policies. This includes, but is not limited to, anyone who disrupts or threatens to disrupt a program or other guests’ ability to experience the program, or harasses another guest or Center employee.

All determinations are at the sole discretion of the National Constitution Center. A breach of the Code of Conduct may result in suspension from future America’s Town Hall programs, membership, or other Center programs or events. Individuals expelled due to violating the Code of Conduct will not be eligible for a refund or other consolation.                                                       

Reporting

If you or someone else is being discriminated against or harassed during a National Constitution Center program or event, please report it as soon as possible. You can make a report in person to Center staff, online, or by phone. Reporting may also be anonymous.

To make a report on-site and during business hours at the National Constitution Center, please see the Information Desk or any Center staff member for assistance. To make a report online or by phone, contact Lana Ulrich, senior director of Content, at [email protected] or 215-429-5585. If you need immediate emergency assistance, please contact 911.

This Code of Conduct applies to all National Constitution Center events, including events hosted at the Center, Center sponsored events hosted off-site, and Center sponsored events online.

Ticket Policy

All sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges. Topics and speakers are subject to change without prior notice; a change of topic or speaker is not cause for a refund. Inclement weather is not a cause for refund unless a program is canceled. In the event of severe rain or snow, program status is noted on the program’s event page.

Members

Only Members receive free tickets to our popular daytime programs and discounted tickets to our blockbuster evening events. Members at the Individual Patriot level are entitled to one ticket at the Member-rate. Members at the Freedom Family, Constitution Framer, Constitution Founder, and Constitution Guardian level are entitled to two tickets at the Member-rate. Become a Member today.

1787 Society

Members of the 1787 Society are entitled to two complimentary tickets to all paid Town Hall programs, hosted in Philadelphia and across the country, and one book per membership for programs with admission that includes a book. Learn more about the 1787 Society.

Teachers and Students

Teachers and students are entitled to one ticket at the teacher/student-rate per teacher/student. College teachers and students must present a valid teacher/student ID at registration for program entry.

Groups

Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounted admission to paid Town Hall programs. Contact Group Sales at 215-409-6800 or [email protected] for pricing and reservations.

Questions? 

America’s Town Hall Programs

For questions related to our Town Hall ticket policy or Town Hall programs in general, contact [email protected] or call 215-407-6700 during museum hours.

Membership

For questions related to National Constitution Center membership, contact [email protected] or call 215-409-6767 during museum hours.

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