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It's finally here... 2026! We are ready for a year full of celebration, commemoration, and contemplation in honor of America's 250th birthday. From the 52 Weeks of Firsts and parades to Twilight Tours and special programs, this year is going to be awesome with something for everyone!
We would not be able to plan such an ambitious year with our Board members, staff, volunteers, partners, and friends at the National Park Service.
Please join us in congratulating our 2026 Governing Board Officers:
- Bill Marrazzo, Chair
- Lee Woolley, Vice Chair
- Karen Kaufman, Treasurer
- Tom Spencer, Secretary
They are joined by Governing Board Members Flora Becker, Tom Caramanico, Oliver St. Clair Franklin, Alan Mandeloff, Adrian Mantini, Tom Morr, Ros Remer, Jon Sirlin, and Bernie Shields. We look forward to a great year with everyone!!!
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We would like to offer our sincere thanks and well wishes to Ed D'Alba, who recently retired from the Trust's Board of Directors after 15 years of service.
During his time on the board, Ed has been involved in projects like the Independence Hall decorative scrim during the tower's 2011-12 restoration. He was also instrumental in making the Trust's 40th anniversary gala a memorable event for hundreds of guests. Thank you, Ed, and we hope to see you around the park for 2026!
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It's here - the semiquincentennial!!! Start of your 2026 celebrations with a visit to the National Parks of Philadelphia and America's most historic square mile! Plan your visit and find out the latest on Park programs and special events Park's calendar.
Important Independence Hall Notice
Independence Hall will be closed to visitors from November 13, 2025, to January 28, 2026, to enable preservation teams to complete comprehensive interior work to prepare the site for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. The temporary closure of the entire building will expedite completion of the project and resumption of public tours.
Independence National Historical Park remains committed to providing a meaningful visitor experience. The park will provide alternate experiences for the public to learn about Independence Hall and the foundational documents debated and signed inside the historic structure. Those planning to visit the park during that time period should check the park website for updated information and closure alerts, as well as notifications on Recreation.gov.
Read the full News Release here.
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Building Hours at Independence
Independence Visitor Center: 9am to 5pm
Liberty Bell Center: 9am to 5pm
Congress Hall: 9am to 5pm
Old City Hall: 9am to 5pm
Ben Franklin Museum: 9am to 5pm
Franklin Printing Office: 10am to 5pm (Sat-Sun)
Carpenters' Hall: 10am to 4pm (Wed-Sun)
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More of Philadelphia's National Parks
Gloria Dei Old Swedes' NHS: 5am to 11pm, grounds open daily
(for church hours and services, visit here)
America's National Park Stores
Independence Square East Wing Store: 9:30am to 4:30pm, open daily
Old City Hall Store: 10:00am to 4:00pm, open daily
Benjamin Franklin Museum Store: 9:00am to 5:00pm, open daily
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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.
| | Americana Corner & American Battlefield Trust: Preserving America Conference | |
Last month, Trust staff members traveled to Tennessee to attend the Preserving America Conference, sponsored by Americana Corner and American Battlefield Trust!
The conference was designed to empower partners of historical sites and battlefield parks with the necessary tools for success and sustainability.
The Trust was among 20 organizations selected to participate. Attendees learned best practices in development, fundraising, and programming as well as how to increase public awareness of their historical sites. We're looking forward to putting all that we learned to good use!
| | | Rescheduled: Volunteer & Supporter Appreciation Event | | |
We are so excited to announce that our annual Volunteer and Supporter Appreciation Event has been rescheduled for Thursday, January 29th at 5:30 pm!
We'll be celebrating volunteer milestones, recognizing the Independence Historical Trust's Volunteer of the Year, and enjoying food, refreshments, and comradery. This is our opportunity to express gratitude to all our wonderful volunteers and supporters for their generous contributions throughout the year. Your time, talents, dedication, and support help keep our mission going and make the Park a better place!
| | Our appreciation event will be held in Riverside Hall at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes) National Historic Site. Please RSVP by Friday, January 16th or reach out to us at attn@inht.org if you have any questions. Hope to see you there! | | Ben Franklin 320th Birthday Celebration! | |
Franklin Birthday Celebration's annual event celebrating the life and legacy of Benjamin Franklin will be held on Friday, January 16th. This year's theme is The Role of Military in a Democracy. A free morning seminar at the American Philosophical society will be followed by a procession to Franklin's grave at Christ Church Burial Ground.
A ticketed luncheon will honor General H.R. McMaster with the 2026 Franklin Founder Award.
| | | | | 2026 APT Job Fair on January 23rd | |
2026 promises to be a BIG year! To help prepare Philly for the 250th anniversary, the the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) is hosting its second Tour Guide & Docent Job Fair.
Join APT, Independence Historical Trust, and other great Philadelphia organizations to learn about paid and volunteer positions in the museum, history, tourism, and hospitality industries. Hope to see you there!
- Friday, January 23rd
- 11am to 2pm
- Free Library of Philadelphia @ 1901 Vine Street
Free to attend. Please register here.
| | 250 Speaker Series with the Park and Independence Historical Trust | |
In honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the nation, Independence National Historical Park and Independence Historical Trust are co-hosting a 4-part speaker series: Legacies of the American Revolution!
The first installment, The Global Legacy of the Declaration of Independence, is presented in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. The program will feature a panel led by Harvard historian David Armitage and will examine how the Declaration inspired independence movements across the world. More information, including registration, here.
| | | | | Greater Philadelphia: A New History for the 21st Century | |
Have you had a chance to flip through Greater Philadelphia: A New History for the Twenty-First Century yet? We have and it's absolutely charming. But don't just take our word for it. Kimberly Haas at Hidden City Philadelphia, and moderator for our recent book event, has more to say about this landmark 3-volume set that highlights hidden stories about Philadelphia from history to pop culture!
Read her full review here! And check out the set from Penn Press.
| | Thank you for your FY25 Donation to Independence Historical Trust! | |
Did you make a charitable donation to Independence Historical Trust last year? If you did, keep an eye on your mailbox or inbox for a 2025 Donation Summary from the Trust team. These records can be very useful during the upcoming tax season!
If you have any questions, please reach out to our Development Associate, Sarah Sutton, at sarah@inht.org.
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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.
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