My spouse and I
visited Independence Hall on a Sunday afternoon in late December 2017. We
reserved our complimentary tickets the day prior to our visit, selecting the 35-minute
time slot that best fit our schedule. Independence Hall tours run daily (except
for some holidays), departing every 15 – 20 minutes from about 9:00 am until
5:00 pm. Admission is free; however, you must pick up tickets from the national
park rangers who staff the nearby Visitor’s Center. Allow at least 10 minutes
to leisurely walk from the Visitor’s Center to the Independence Hall. You will
need additional time to pass through the security checkpoint that consists of a
metal detector and bags scanner. A small park (with walking paths and benches)
adjoins the secure area of the Hall. Note that if you reserve tickets online, a
handling fee of $1.50 per ticket is assessed for each free ticket; still, to us
it was worth the small charge in order to be assured that we could visit
exactly when we desired. Remember to set aside some additional time to view the
numerous displays and the films in the Visitor’s Center itself.
Constructed between 1732 and 1756 as the Pennsylvania State
House, this famous red brick building contains the most historic building in
the United States. In it, the delegates from the Second Continental Congress
met in the hall's Assembly Room after British troops fired on citizens in
Concord, Massachusetts. Other historic events occurred there: George Washington
was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, Thomas Jefferson's
Declaration of Independence was signed, and the Constitution of the United
States was adopted. An adjacent wing contains an exhibit of nation's founding
documents, including the Constitution, the Articles of Confederation, and the Declaration
of Independence.
We enjoyed our
brief refresher of history during our tour of Independence Hall.
