Monday, July 5, 2021

National Constitution Center, Philadelphia

One of the first places we visited in Philadelphia was the National Constitution Center at the north end of Independence Park. The exterior is fairly modern-looking which fits with the high tech exhibits inside.

Approaching from the north

National Constitution Center entrance

The center features a two-story lobby with flags from all of the states and territories that make up the United States of America.

Grand Hall Lobby

View from upstairs

A theater-in-the-round presentation covers the history of the American Constitution from the American War for Independence through the failure of the Articles of Confederation to the hard debates at the Constitutional Convention (held here in Philadelphia). One employee narrated the seventeen-minute multimedia presentation. The story continued through the Bill of Rights and many of the more famous amendments to the Constitution.

After learning the history of the Constitution, we walked through the upstairs exhibits describing American history after the constitutional convention and the impact of the Constitution on our government. 

Models of the homes of the three branches of government

One exhibit wasn't there!

Cute sign

Just beyond was an interactive area about the president, including the chance to be sworn in by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

If elected, I will not be happy

I guess if I don't swear in, I'm not the prez

The first female president!

The TV coverage, so you know it's true

The below exhibit shows that paperwork involved as a court case moves from local courts (on the right) on up to the Supreme Court. Our legal system is a tree killer!

Read it right to left

If that wasn't bad enough, a lawyer donated his set of reference books for another dramatic example of how much recording goes on in our legal system.

Do not lean on this exhibit

Another exhibit has Ben Stein explaining various issues and odd situations that arise in our legal system.

Ben Stein on government

The abortion controversy acknowledged

A sculpture depicts Eisenhower's interstate project.

Learning about the roads that got us here

The most fun part of the center is the Signers' Hall, with thirty-nine life-size bronze statues of the men who met and drafted the Constitution.

Ben Franklin

My son confabbing with Maryland delegates

Considerations

At one table, visitors can sign the Constitution.

Adding their John Hancocks

George Washington with my wife

Hamilton and me

A "no photography" display area has one of the two hundred copies of the Declaration of Independence made for the fiftieth anniversary of the signing. 

On our way out, we had a good view of the building where the Declaration and the Constitution were worked out.

View to Independence Hall

Cheesy Frame where my kids blocked out the historic building

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