A Powerful Museum of We The People

The National Constitution Center – History of Philadelphia

‘We the People – Defining Our Government”

The National Constitution Center should not just be on your checklist of things to do in Philadelphia but should be an experience that you will not forget. The Center is a place for everyone to jump back into history, almost like experiencing the History of Philadelphia in real time.

The powerful experience of the National Constitution Center begins when you first decide to explore the ” We the People” exhibit, which is a permanent exhibit year round. When choosing this exhibit, you aren’t issued a ticket to enter, but a Delegate’s Pass. The Center wants to send a message that constitutional democracy demands participation. This pass wants you to think of yourself as”Founder”, making you a part of Philadelphia History, and feeling for the future of our Country.

The National Constitution Center Visitor Experience

What is unique about this museum is that the gallery is circular, which is not common in most museums. Another interesting fact is that the gallery does not highlight artifacts collected in display cases. It highlights ” people ” and “ideas,” giving an imaginary sense of how we started as a nation.

The National Constitution Center has three concentric rings to the ” We the People” exhibit. The outermost ring is the chronological story, 13 sections telling the constitutional story from 1765 until today. Remember that our Constitution has been a work in progress, and not just about 1776, these stories span from 1765 to the present.

The central ring of the gallery treats the subject differently. It is not a chronological journey but a thematic one, organized by the words of the Preamble itself. The exhibits in this ring are more interactive, allowing the visitor to not only participate but also feel like they are in the middle of something, a specific event or story.

The innermost ring of the gallery provides a third approach to the content. In this ring, you are asked broad questions that the Founders considered, such as,” What makes us Americans?” or”Have we established equal justice?”

The overall experience could give you shivers or chills just thinking about it—being a part of American history in a ” live” function. And this is just the beginning of the National Constitution Center.

Complete breakdown of the ” We the People” exhibit. More info on the ” We the People” exhibit.

The National Constitution Center Exhibits Experience

The National Constitution Center is more than just a museum. The Center offers programs, education, events, and daily activities. Outside of its permanent featured exhibits, the Center has several featured exhibits showcased for about 3 months per exhibit. So you always want to stay up-to-date on the most recent featured exhibits. National Constitution Center Featured Exhibits