This is one of the newer attractions in the city, located near the main visitor center, and is definitely something to check out. The first thing you will notice when you enter is the display of all 50 state flags of the US. It's interesting to walk around and see what they look like. You will probably be surprised to see what your own state flag looks like if you don't know beforehand. There is a theater that is used for an A/V presentation towards the rear. One piece of advice is to show up plenty early, purchase your tickets, then walk around the Center and look at the exhibits. This will save you some time waiting in line just prior to the show. The other main portion of the Center is called the Hall of Signers. This is a rather unique exhibit, as it houses life-size statues of all the signers of the Constitution. There are also several computer terminals around the Hall where you can learn more about the people who signed.

Philadelphia is a city steeped in American history: the Declaration of Independence was signed there in 1776, and it served as our nation’s first capital before the construction of Washington, D.C. Bowing to this history, the National Constitution Center opened in 2003. This well-done museum is currently running an exhibit on Benjamin Franklin, signer of the Declaration, founder of the University of Pennsylvania, and famous inventor. They also have a live show discussing the Constitution, an exhibit hall with many constitution-based exhibits, and a founder’s hall with life-size statues of all the signers of the Declaration of independence. If you want to learn about American history and government, add the National Constitution Center to your short list of places to visit, along with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

This 2-year-old museum is entertaining, informative, and really gets you thinking. If you, like me, have been out of school for many years and are not a reader of political books, you will find yourself rethinking history and current events in a whole new way. First, you enter a circular auditorium where a live speaker talks about what our founding fathers meant by "we the people," and questions what is meant by that phrase today. Afterwards, you are free to explore the museum itself which consists of numerous displays that are mostly interactive, or lively audio-visual debates that encourage you to think about current issues and how our government works (or should). Then, there is the special exhibit hall. Last fall, it was Lincoln. Currently, it is Ben Franklin. Incredible. Allow 2 to 3 hours to do it all. Not great for kids under 12 or so.

This superb museum opened on July 4, 2004, within sight of Independence Hall, where the United States Constitution, the world’s oldest (not including U.S. state constitutions), was signed in 1787. It presents the history of the American Constitution as well as exploring its legacy. If this description seems a bit broad, that’s deliberate, as the aptly named "Center" isn’t simply a museum in the conventional sense of the word but rather an interactive facility that hosts talks, scholars, and activities, as well as literally taking its show on the road. And a show it is, as the Center’s exhibitions primarily rely on both interactive and multimedia presentations, which serve to make what could otherwise be highly abstract concepts and seemingly dull documents extremely approachable.

The museum has an incredibly spacious feel throughout, beginning with the large lobby you pass through to buy tickets or pick up ones you’ve purchased in advance. Admission is timed at half-hour increments, because it begins with the interactive "Freedom Rising" show. Any waiting time you have is actually an opportunity in disguise to visit the "Hall of Signers" which features life-sized bronze statues of the Constitution’s signers. The two most notable absentees are Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence (who approved of the document but was serving as Minister to France at the time), and George Mason, the so-called "Father of the Bill of Rights." Mason refused to sign the Constitution because it did not contain an enumeration of personal freedoms (the so-called Bill of Rights which was added in 1791) or establish a date to abolish slavery (unfortunately, this did not happen until the Constitution’s 13th Amendment in 1865).

I personally find "Freedom Rising," whose live narrator oversimplifies various issues amid an admittedly impressive interactive display, a bit over the top, but given the reactions of the rest of the audience, I have reason to suspect I may be a curmudgeonly minority of one. In any case, try to arrive well before your ticket time as there tends to be a line and you’re best off taking one of the seats near the top to allow yourself an easy exit into the superb main exhibition galleries. Don’t worry too much if you can’t – every seat has a great view and they’re very comfortable!

The Center’s permanent exhibitions don’t shy away from difficult issues. They primarily consist of interactive displays (the Center’s website claims that it has "17 hours of interactive content") accompanied by contemporary historical artifacts. These enable you to explore any issue in whatever depth suits you, making it an absolute joy to visit whether your level of expertise is that of a child or one of the center’s resident scholars. This makes it an ideal family activity, and given the heat of Philadelphia’s summers and its proximity to Independence Hall National Historic Park, one that I suspect will continue to grow more ever popular, as well it should!

Further information: http://www.constitutioncenter.org

One of Philadelphia’s newest attraction is the National Constitution Center. It is in an attractive building behind the new visitor center. Walking into the large, open lobby, you are greeted by the flags of all 50 states. We had to ask for help to locate Connecticut, much to our chagrin. You need to walk all the way to the rear and purchase a ticket to the show. While you are waiting to get into the theater, you can visit the Hall of Signers.

The Hall of Signers features life-size bronze statues of all the signers of the Constitution. We learned something here that neither one of us knew - Thomas Jefferson didn’t sign the Constitution. He is an easily recognizable figure, so we looked for him. We did find Ben Franklin, James Madison (who is tiny), George Washington, and Roger Sherman (our signer). There are computer screens where you can get more information about any of the men in the room. There was a ranger walking around and helping anyone who looked confused. The concept is a very good one, and you really feel like you are one of them.

Get to the theatre before your ticket time, as we found the line of children quite daunting. There are some exhibits on the ground floor surrounding the theater where you listen to different people who were living in Philadelphia at the time the Constitutional Convention was going on, and they are giving their opinion. This was very interesting, as none of them had any idea what the outcome was going to be. We take the Constitution so for granted. There are also displays built into the wall that show off some of the archeological items found during the building of the center.

"Freedom Rising" is an audio-visual production that also has a live narrator. The Theater is impressive. Seating is not only comfortable, but the spacing is such that everyone has totally unobstructed view of the narrator, who is spotlighted in the center of the floor. You will be looking up, down, and around while listening to a very interesting narrative. No photographs are allowed in this part of the building, but their website has some very good ones. This whole production is well done and has enough music and stimulation to keep children well entertained.

After the show, you go up to the exhibits surrounding the theater on the second floor. There are exhibits to listen to, voting booths so that kids can actually try voting, and a whole lot more. One I particularly liked was what political candidates are saying about each other, Martin Van Buren and Andrew Jackson just to name two, and it was fascinating stuff, nasty too. If you haven’t visited the Hall of Signers, you exit right into it.