Independence National Historical Park

Independence Hall is perhaps one of the most important and iconic buildings in American history. It was the place where the very concept of independence was debated, sometimes vehemently, and ultimately approved. Later it was where one of the world’s longest-lasting constitutions was written and sent to the states for ratification.

I would have liked to see exhibits on the people involved in creating these documents and on the process and debate about them. Instead, it seems that the Park Service has dedicated this site to the issue of slavery in America.

I in no way mean to downplay or dismiss the evil of slavery in this country. Anyone who has read my previous blogs from former plantation sites and some Civil War sites should know my feelings. Those parks are the perfect place to discuss slavery, those that supported it, those that opposed it, and what impact it had on the nation. I’ve only been to 30+ sites so far and several of them did do just that – where it was appropriate.

However, I did not feel it to be appropriate as the primary theme across Independence National Historical Park. I went to the site of the President’s House (precursor to the White House). The house is long gone, but an exhibit of several placards discussing slavery by some of the early presidents is there. I moved on to see the Liberty Bell. It is at the end of a long hall. After passing through security, I passed around six large display areas lining this long hall, all discussing slavery at different points in American history. There was one small area about the history of the Liberty Bell.

I was unable to get into Independence Hall as access is limited and requires tickets, which were already sold out, so I do not know what information was in there. But through the Visitor’s Center and other areas I did visit, I found almost no information about the signers of the Declaration of Independence, nor those who eleven years later debated a new constitution.

The Visitor’s Center is a nice, large building, but a gift shop, overpriced snack bar, a repeating movie on what else to see in Philadelphia, and a city information counter took much of the space. There is a small theater with a repeating movie about the park itself. Sadly, it was one of the poorest movies I’ve seen from any National Park unit. Even much smaller sites like Hopewell Furnace NHS or William Howard Taft NHS had much better produced movies that were far more informative.

All in all, I was extremely disappointed in what should have been the National Park Service’s star historical park. To date in my travels, I can honestly say that I have learned at least one or two things at every park I have visited. But that streak stopped at Independence. I learned nothing new here even though I have no doubt there is much information behind the people and events that could have been presented but wasn’t.

Steve