Visit this unique museum for an interactive, multimedia experience of one of the most important documents in US history and the stories and events that go with it.
The four short pages of the US Constitution may be the star attraction here at the National Constitution Center, but there's nothing boring about a visit to this hands-on, interactive museum. Multiple multimedia displays and live performances get the entire family involved, the ultimate aim being to make civic history relevant and interesting for everyone who visits.The centre is situated in central Philadelphia, not far from Independence Hall, where the Constitution was originally signed way back in 1787. By 1791, 10 amendments had been ratified and became known as the Bill of Rights. The centre itself was opened slightly more recently, in 2003! It attempts to explain these events in detail in a way that brings centuries-old history to life.First stop on your visit should be the museum theatre. Here, a 17-minute film is shown on the theatre's 360° screen and tracks the historical relationship between the US and the notion of freedom. The film is narrated by a live actor, and covers the period from colonialism right up to today.The more traditional elements of the museum include models of the three most important branches of the US government: the Capitol, the White House and the Supreme Court. There are also displays of Civil War artefacts, and the Constitution itself. The museum's unique approach can be seen even here, with the appearance of the Giant Constitutional Board Game against which visitors can test their new-found knowledge. Other interactive exhibits include the chance to make judgments on Supreme Court cases, and recite the president's Oath of Office on the big screen.One room you should definitely visit before you leave the museum is the Signer's Hall. Filled with life-size replicas of the men who signed the Constitution, a visit here will transport you back to one of the defining moments of US history.Located in Independence Mall, the National Constitution Center is open every day, with the exception of Sunday morning. There is a café on site, and an ever-changing array of temporary exhibitions and events, so make sure to check for details of these before your visit.
