Independence Hall Philadelphia

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is one of the most important landmarks in US history, being the site where the nation declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain on 4 July 1776 by signing the Declaration of Independence.

Independence Hall Philadelphia history

Built to be the Pennsylvania State House, the building originally housed all three branches of Pennsylvania’s colonial government.

The Pennsylvania legislature loaned their Assembly Room out for the meetings of the Second Continental Congress and later, the Constitutional Convention. In this room, George Washington was appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in 1775 and the Articles of Confederation were adopted in 1781.

Independence Hall is sometimes referred to as ‘the birthplace of America’ as both the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were signed in the Assembly room.

These events, which took place respectively in 1776 and 1787, were conceived in a national context, but the principles of freedom and democracy set forth in these two documents have had a significant impact on lawmakers and political thinkers around the world.

Although the original copies of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are now both housed at the National Archives in Washington, visitors can still see the places where these historic documents were each signed.

Independence Hall was designed by Andrew Hamilton in collaboration with master builder Edmund Woolley to house the Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Begun in 1732 and finished in 1753, it is a dignified brick structure with a wooden steeple that once held the Liberty Bell.

The building has undergone many restorations, notably by architect John Haviland in the 1830s and under the direction of the National Park Service beginning in the 1950s, returning it to its appearance during the years when the new country’s Declaration of Independence and Constitution were debated and signed.

Independence Hall Philadelphia today

Independence Hall is now part of Independence National Historical Park, which also encompasses a myriad of important sites such as Congress Hall and Liberty Bell Centre sprawled over 55 acres within the City of Philadelphia.

Visitors can choose from a variety of guided walking tours as well as various indoor and outdoor activities. Across the road is the Liberty Bell Centre, housing the famous Liberty Bell, one of the most significant symbols of the American Civil War and formerly hung in Independence Hall’s tower. Congress Hall is next door to Independence Hall.

This site features as one of our Top 10 Tourist Attractions in the United States.

Getting to Independence Hall Philadelphia

Independence Hall is located on Chestnut Street, between 5th and 6th Streets. Entrance is through a security screening area on Chestnut Street, just west of 5th Street. After passing through security, visitors line up behind Independence Hall for a tour. The GPS address for Independence Hall is 520 Chestnut Street.