Learning American History — 21^st Century Style

by Marilyn Loeser

I work in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

And, everyday I pass the National Constitution Center.

I watched as the ground was broken, as the building began to take shape and now, every day as I drive toward Chestnut Street, I often glance through the glass-fronted center and see state flags hanging over the Grand Hall.

But what I hadn’t done, until just recently, was visit the center that opened to the public July 4, 2003. Finally, when out-of-state friends visited, I played tourist and was amazed at what I had been missing — a monument to the document, the men who penned it and the men and women who sacrificed their lives to follow its law.

The National Constitution Center is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established by Congress in 1988 to increase understanding of the U.S. Constitution. The first museum of its kind in the world, the center visually — through film, art and artifacts — tells the story of the Constitution from Revolutionary times to the present day and its relevance to our daily lives.

As soon as you enter the center, you’re ushered into the circular Kimmel Theater where Freedom Rising — a 17-minute show combining a live actor and multimedia elements — vividly illustrates our nation’s beginning and its struggle for independence.

Dramatic, passionate, patriotic.

Even if American history wasn’t your best subject in school, you’ll have a clear understanding of the Revolutionary War and what our forefathers went through to ratify the Constitution.

You enter the theatre on the first floor and exit on the second into Richard and Helen DeVos Hall's American Experience.

There are three pathways through the exhibition.

The story of “We the People” is told along the Outside Wall illustrating millions of individual actions have upheld and shaped our constitutional practices and freedoms. Wherever possible, personal stories have been chosen as entry points into the content. The Constitution itself is etched on glass above the display cases and circles the entire exhibit gallery. 

The central pathway, Preamble Path, was designed with families in mind. Here children have the opportunity to “participate” in some of the great rites of democracy including voting, serving on a jury or becoming President of the United States. Exhibits along this path are the most interactive in the museum.

The Inside Wall is where visitors are asked to express their feelings by answering a series of questions about war, justice and other major issues.

The exhibition provides “talk-back” photo essays asking visitors to consider the sort of broad questions the founders considered: What makes us Americans? Have we established equal justice? What makes us feel free?

Signers’ Hall is a stylized version of the Assembly Room where the signers of the Constitution met on September 17, 1787. The room in the Pennsylvania State House, today called Independence Hall, is occupied by life-sized bronze statues of 42 men: the 39 delegates who signed as well as the three who dissented.

Walking among the statues is like being transported back in time to one specific moment in American history. An alcove adjacent to Signers’ Hall houses a rare first public printing of the Constitution.

The Pennsylvania Packet Constitution was published on September 19, 1787, just two days after the Constitution was signed in Independence Hall. There are fewer than 20 known copies of this document in the world.

As you leave Signers' Hall, you have a direct view of Independence Hall through a wall of glass 40-feet high — the perfect way to end your American experience.

If you go:

The National Constitution Center is located at 525 Arch Street in Philadelphia.

In the Shahara Ahmad-Llewellyn and J. Bruce Llewellyn Citizens' Cafe you can e-mail your congressmen, participate in discussions about their experience or watch up-to-the minute Constitutional issues unfold on a giant video wall. The Café specializes in lighter fare including pastries and beverages.

The Delegates' Restaurant serves a variety of dishes including grilled items, salads and sandwiches.

For information on visiting the National Constitution Center, changing exhibits, the Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, the Visiting Scholars program and programs tailored specifically for adults, families and schools, check the website at www.constitutioncenter.org.
For additional information about visiting Philadelphia, visit the website www.gophila.com.

For local news and information check the website www.philly.com.