Fall Fun at Independence

October 2026

A new season means new adventures in and around the National Parks of Philadelphia!

This month the U.S. Navy turns 251! In honor of the celebration enjoy New Hall Military Museum on Saturday, October 10th and Sunday, October 11th from 12pm to 4pm.

October is also your last chance to visit the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial. At 0.02 acres, this historic home is the smallest unit of the National Park Service! Learn about the Polish freedom fighter and international champion of human rights, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, and how he contributed to the fight for American independence with his military engineering expertise.

There is plenty more happening this season. Find out more below!

October Programs

Hello Fall! It's the spookiest time of the year and this month there is plenty of seasonal fun happening around Independence National Historical Park.

Enjoy our last Movie on the Mall with Hocus Pocus, trick-or-treat your way through the Historic District, bring along your furry friend to our Howl-o-ween BARK Ranger Program, and celebrate the First Modern Detective Story at the Poe House on Halloween!

October 16: Movies on the Mall
October 18: Halloween in the Historic District
October 24: B.A.R.K. Ranger
October 31: Firstival at Poe House

More information on upcoming events and programs here.

52 Weeks of Firsts: October

The October Firsts are underway! Things kicked off at Eastern State for the First Penitentiary in America (1829) and there are more festivities to come:

First Peoples
First U.S. Navy & Marine Corps (1775)
First Public Showing of a Motion Picture (1870)
First Modern Detective Story (1841)

This weekend, learn all about the First Peoples with free admission at the Penn Museum; sail to adventure at Arch Street Meeting House with the Navy and Marines on 10/17; find out how the silver screen made it's debut at the Philadelphia Film Society on 10/24; and get on the case with the Trust and Park at the Edgar Allan Poe House for mystery and more on 10/31.

Independence NHP Updates

Fall is officially here! Take advantage of the milder temps and check out Independence National Historical Park. Plan your visit to America's most historic square mile and keep up to date on the latest happenings using the Park's calendar.

Park Programs at Independence

Independence NHP Walking Tour

Explore Independence National Historical Park with a Park Ranger. Get the inside scoop on the founding of the nation on this one-hour guided walking tour through some of the most iconic city blocks in the United States. No reservations needed. 1 hour.

Where: Meet outside the Liberty Bell Center
Date: Daily
Time: 10:00am

Ranger Talks at the First Bank

Join a ranger for a 15-minute tour of the First Bank of America; consider Hamilton's influence on banking in the early republic, discover stories from the State Department and Drexel University, or learn how the NPS worked to preserve and restore the 229-year-old building.

Where: First Bank of the United States
Date: Daily, during opening hours
Time: 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm

Ranger Talks in Franklin Court

Join a Park Ranger and discuss the life and times of Philadelphia's most famous founder - Benjamin Franklin.

Where: Franklin Court
Date: Daily
Time: 2:15pm and 3:15pm

Building Hours at Independence

Independence Visitor Center: 9am to 6pm

Liberty Bell Center: 9am to 5pm

Independence Hall: 9am to 5pm

Congress Hall: 9am to 5pm

West Wing Exhibit: 9am to 5pm

Old City Hall: 9am to 5pm

Benjamin Franklin Museum: 9am to 5pm

Franklin Printing Office: 10am to 5pm (Thu-Mon)

First Bank: 11am to 4pm (Thu-Mon)

Second Bank: 12pm to 5pm (Thu-Mon)

Carpenters' Hall: 10am to 4pm (Tue-Sun)

Visiting Independence Hall & Congress Hall

Independence Hall

9:00am to 10:30am - Open House (no tickets required)

10:40am to 4:00pm - Guided Tours (tickets required)

4:20pm - 40 min. Expanded Tour (tickets required)

Congress Hall

9:00am to 10:30am - Open House (no tickets required)

10:40am to 4:40pm - Guided Program (no tickets required)

Ranger-led tours every 20 minutes.

---

More of Philadelphia's National Parks

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial: 12pm to 4pm, Saturday & Sunday

(closes for the season on Saturday, October 31)

Gloria Dei Old Swedes' NHS: 5am to 11pm, grounds open daily

(for church hours and services, visit here)

America's National Parks Stores

Independence Square East Wing Store: 9:00am to 4:45pm, open daily

Old City Hall Store: 9:00am to 4:45pm, open daily

Benjamin Franklin Museum Store: 9:00am to 4:45pm, open daily

---

Tickets for Independence Hall are fully mobile. Tickets can be reserved in advance through https://recreation.gov or on the recreation.gov mobile app. Tickets are free and up to 9 can be reserved per account. There is a $1 administrative fee to reserve each ticket. Please visit the NPS information desk at the Independence Visitor Center if you need assistance.

Volunteers Opportunities: October & November

We're looking for volunteers to help with October and November events! We have seasonal programs, an end-of-year mailing, and the next installment of the Legacies of the American Revolution speaker series.

Commerce Street Connector Ribbon Cutting

Join Independence Historical Trust, Old City District, Old City Green, and the City of Philadelphia on Tuesday, October 20th at 11:00am as we celebrate the completion of the Commerce Connector!

RSVP

This capital improvement and pedestrian-focused project links N. 4th Street north of Market Street to Market. The revitalized walkway addresses accessibility and connectivity between the Independence Visitor Center and Carpenters' Hall and features brick paving, plantings, public seating, and enhanced lighting.

Trick-or-Treat Your Way Through the Historic District

Calling all ghouls and goblins! On Sunday, October 18th, bring the family to Halloween in the Historic District for a day of trick-or-treating fun!

Pick up your map and treat bag from Independence Visitor Center and explore historic locations for special programs, candy, and fun activities between 11am and 3pm.

Stop by the Trust's stations at the Visitor Center, Independence Mall, and Franklin Court for crafts and games.

And, don't forget to explore the national park for Ranger Programs and more!

The Trust Goes to the Rockies!

Last month, members of the Trust staff attended the annual National Park Friends Alliance Conference. This year's conference took place at Rocky Mountain National Park. We were lucky enough to be joined by Superintendent Steve Sims!

At the conference, Friends groups from across the nation shared best practices, unique programming ideas, and other ways to build strong partnerships between non-profits and the national parks they support. We can't wait to implement what we learned here in Philadelphia!

Reminder: We've Moved

Following the rehabilitation of the First Bank of the United States and its successful reopening, Independence Historical Trust has moved offices to the third floor of the historic landmark!

Our mailing address remains the same:

Independence Historical Trust

143 S. Third Street

Philadelphia, PA 19106

If you have any questions about our move or how to get in touch with us at our new location, please e-mail attn@inht.org or call us at 215-861-4971.

Last Month In Pictures

The Second Pennsylvania Regiment and 43rd Regiment of Foot joined the Trust to toast General George Washington during our fifth annual Washington's Farewell: A Constitutional Convention Send-Off. The event marked the end of the Constitutional Convention, where Washington served as a president.

During the 52 Weeks Firstival for the First Naming of the United States, visitors discovered what's in a name and learned their "Ranger Nickname."

The #1 sculpture by artist Kat Black was the perfect picture spot for our NPS Trading Card cutouts during the 52 Weeks Firstival.

Director of Development, Jonathan Burton, sat on a panel during the 2026 National Park Friends Alliance Conference in Rocky Mountain National Park. Jonathan presented on the Trust's partnership with Independence National Historical Park and the re-opening of the First Bank of the United States.

Another Twilight Tour season is in the books! This semiquincentennial season was a busy one with a record amount of visitors. Our wonderful volunteer Twilight Tour Guides braved the heat, rain, and crowds to make sure everyone had the opportunity for a free walking tour around their National Park!

Want the latest information about your favorite National Park? Download the NPS App for interactive maps, walking tours, recommendations, events, and the latest alerts for more than 400 national parks, including Independence NHP!

Available for iOS and Android devices.

Connect with Us!

Visit our website