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The brick structure we now
know as Independence Hall originally
served as the State House of the Colony
of Pennsylvania. The events that occurred
here provided the building with its new
name. Independence Hall is best known as
the place where the Declaration of
Independence was adopted by the
Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It
was also where the Continental Congress
met again eleven years later and wrote
the United States Constitution.
What You Will See
Independence Hall is open for tours
from 9 AM to 5 PM daily (hours may be
extending during the summer). Taking a
tour is the only way you are allowed to
see the interior of the building. Tours
begin every 15 minutes and last for about
a half hour. Park Rangers provide a brief
orientation to the historical importance
of the building before taking you through
it.
The highlight of the tour
for many people is Assembly Hall, where
the Second Continental Congress met
behind closed doors and drawn curtins (in
the midst of summer heat!) to discuss
their desire for independence from the
British. This is where the Declaration of
Independence was signed and where George
Washington was chosen as
Commander-in-Chief of the Continental
Army.
Try to imagine what it would
have been like for our "founding
fathers" as they sat in a darkened,
hot room and plotted treason against
Britain. Remember that there was no air
conditioning in 1776 and that July can be
mighty hot in Philadelphia during June
and July. Remember also that the 56 men
who signed the Declaration of
Independence put themselves at
considerable risk when they signed Thomas
Jefferson's document since treason was
punishable by death. (To read more about
the risks they took, click here.)
Independence Hall also
houses the courtroom where the accused
would literally "stand trial"
and the elegant second floor "Long
Room" where banquets, balls and
similar events were held.
What You Won't See
Many people associate
Independence Hall with the Liberty
Bell -- and so they
should since the bell hung in the bell
tower until it was cracked beyond repair
in 1846. For many years it was displayed
in a glass case in the lobby of
Independence Hall, but in 1976 it was
moved to the Pavilion across the street.
Be Prepared for Long
Lines
Independence Hall is one of
Philadelphia's most popular attractions
and only a limited number of visitors can
be accomodated by the tour at one time.
As a result, you will be issued a free
ticket for a specific time (March through
December; tickets are not timed in
January and February) at the Visitors'
Center. You must then go through a
security screening process before being
escorted to Independence
Square. Be
prepared to wait in line for up to an
hour during the busiest months of the
year (summer and school vacations). While
you wait, admire the symmetry (a hallmark
of the architecture of the period) of Old
City Hall and Congress Hall, which flank
Independence Hall.
Getting There
For detailed driving directions and
other logistical information, please see
the write-up of Independence
National Historic Park.
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