National Constitution Center

Background

The center was created by the Constitution Heritage Act. Approved on September 16, 1988, and signed by President Ronald Reagan, the act defined the National Constitution Center as "within or in close proximity to the Independence National Historical Park. The Center shall disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a non-partisan basis in order to increase the awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people." The center is at 525 Arch Street, an address chosen because May 25 (5/25) was the date that the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia.

The architectural firm of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners designed the center, and Leslie E. Robertson Associates were the structural engineers for the project. Witold Rybczynski of The New York Times wrote, "Quiet but assertive, respectful of its surroundings, considerate of its public, this building is destined to take its place among the nation's leading public monuments."

Ralph Appelbaum Associates designed the center's visitor experience and exhibition hall. The public space is 160000 sqft, including galleries. The center has 75785 sqft of exhibit space. The center is made of American products, including 85000 sqft of Indiana limestone, 2.6 million pounds of steel, and a half-million cubic feet of concrete. Construction of the center was overseen by project manager Hill International.

Prior to its closure in December 2019, the Newseum, a journalism-themed museum in Washington D.C., had featured a four-story-tall stone panel inscribed with the text of the First Amendment as part of its exterior design. The Freedom Forum, a nonprofit organization that created the museum, announced in March 2021 that the panel would be dismantled and donated to the National Constitution Center for display in its second-floor atrium.

Leadership

Jeffrey Rosen served as president and chief executive officer of the center from 2013 until stepping down in January 2026. Vice president Vince Stango serves as interim president and CEO and Rosen will serve as CEO Emeritus.

The honorary board chairs of the center include:

Civic education

Through its Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, the center offers onsite and online civic-education programs and a study center which develops and distributes teaching tools, lesson plans and resources.

Public engagement

The center has hosted several debates, including a 2008 Democratic presidential primary debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, a town hall meeting with Senator John McCain, and a 2006 Pennsylvania Senatorial debate between Republican incumbent Rick Santorum and Democratic challenger Bob Casey.

The center hosted the second 2024 Presidential debate on September 10, 2024. It was the first debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, after President Joe Biden exited the race in the weeks following the first debate of the cycle. Ironically, no mention was made of the US Constitution by either candidate during the entire 90 minute debate.

Liberty Medal

In 2006, the center became home to the Philadelphia Liberty Medal, an annual award established in 1988 to recognize "men and women of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe."

Reception

George Will wrote for The Washington Post, "At the other end of the mall sparkles a modernist jewel of America's civic life, the National Constitution Center". Jason DeParle wrote for The New York Times Learning Network, "Since opening in 2003, [the National Constitution Center] has put forward a vision of constitutional history both left and right have embraced." According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, "The National Constitution Center has established itself as one of the city's cultural celebs, attracting a million visitors a year, putting pizzazz into civic and educational offerings, hosting blockbuster exhibitions, and attracting the nation's intellectual cognoscenti and media elite like bears to honey."

Gallery

File:2012-07 ncc 01.JPG|alt=Large lobby, with state flags and bunting|State flags in the lobby File:2012-07 ncc 06.JPG|alt=Models of the U.S. Capitol and another building|Exhibits File:Statues of Constitution signers at the National Constitution Center.jpg|alt=See caption|Life-sized statues of the signers of the Constitution in Signers' Hall

References

References

1. (22 June 2003). "TRAVEL ADVISORY; Constitution Center To Open in Philadelphia – New York Times". The New York Times.
2. "Independence Visitor Center".
3. "The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia".
4. "Summary of INHP and Independence Mall Evolution".
5. "H.R. 1939 (100th): Constitution Heritage Act of 1988". www.govtrack.us.
6. "Pei Cobb Freed & Partners".
7. Rybczynski, Witold. (8 July 2003). "ARCHITECTURE REVIEW; More Perfect Union Of Function And Form – New York Times". The New York Times.
8. McGlone, Peggy. (18 March 2021). "Newseum donates its distinctive First Amendment facade to Philadelphia history center". The Washington Post.
9. "President and CEO – National Constitution Center".
10. "Jeffrey Rosen steps down from Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center".
11. Prosser, Maggie. (2026-01-18). "The National Constitution Center’s head departed after a leadership dispute, The New York Times reported".
12. Savage, Charlie. (16 January 2026). "Leadership Dispute Said to Spur Abrupt Exit at the National Constitution Center".
13. "Board of Trustees – National Constitution Center".
14. "Annenberg Foundation Awards $6.4 Million to National Constitution Center PND Foundation Center".
15. "Education {{!}} Constitution Center".
16. "Transcript: Obama and Clinton Debate – ABC News".
17. "McCain's town-hall meeting at Constitution Center 6abc.com".
18. O'Toole, James. "Santorum on the attack in final debate with Casey". [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]].
19. "Presidential debate to be held at National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, ABC News announces".
20. (2024-07-22). "President Joe Biden drops out of 2024 presidential race".
21. "THE LIBERTY MEDAL".
22. (14 August 2005). "George F. Will – Sense From the Hall of Framers". The Washington Post.
23. "Constitutional Lessons, Old and New, on Display". The New York Times.
24. "Philadelphia does history right So far, so good for the National Constitution Center. - Philly.com".