Congratulations Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. | |
|
Happy New Year! We started 2024 with our annual Legacy Award Gala, which honored our friend, Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. Dr. Gates is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, literary scholar, journalist, cultural critic, and institution builder. We were proud to recognize his tireless work as an educator who helps people discover the stories that connect them to history and to each other.
You may be familiar with Dr. Gates' work on Finding Your Roots, the groundbreaking genealogy and genetics series, now in its tenth season on PBS. He is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University. Dr. Gates has published numerous books and produced and hosted an array of documentary films. It was a fantastic evening with wonderful friends and a truly dynamic guest of honor.
Read more below and enjoy some photos from the evening. A recording of the program featuring Dr. Gates and award-winning journalist Tracey Matisak can be viewed here.
| Poe After Hours: Thursday, January 18th | | |
|
Celebrate Edgar Allan Poe's 215th birthday with our friends at Yards Brewing Co. and enjoy a guided after-hours tour of the author's historic home in Philadelphia. | Tours of the Poe House will take place every 20 minutes and leave from Yards starting at 6:15pm; last tours at 7:35pm. Guests can sign up for a timed tour at the check-in table upon arrival. Your ticket includes (1) drink and 10% off your food purchase at Yards. | |
|
Happy 2024! Did Independence NHP make your list of must-visit places for the new year? Get a jump start on your travel to-do's and visit the Best Park in History! For all the latest on the Park's programs and events, check out the Park's calendar.
January Programs at Independence
Fee-Free Day: Free Admission to the Benjamin Franklin Museum
Commemorate the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday with free admission for all to the Benjamin Franklin Museum. The museum features artifacts, computer animations, and interactive displays about the life and character of Benjamin Franklin.
- Where: Benjamin Franklin Museum
- Dates: January 15
- Time: 9:00am to 5:00pm
MLK Jr. National Holiday Bell Ringing Ceremony
Join the Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Association for Nonviolence and Independence NHP for the annual bell ringing ceremony as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Watch it live on Facebook, courtesy of Philadelphia MLK Jr. Association.
- Where: Liberty Bell Center
- Dates: January 15
- Time: 11:15am
| | |
|
|
January Hours at Independence
Independence Visitor Center: 9am to 5pm
Liberty Bell Center: 9am to 5pm
Independence Hall: 9am to 5pm
Congress Hall: 9am to 5pm
Old City Hall and America's National Parks Store: 10am to 4:30pm
Ben Franklin Museum and Store: 9am to 5pm
Franklin Court Printing Office: 10am to 5pm (Fri-Sat)
Edgar Allan Poe NHS: 9am to 5pm (Fri-Sun; closed 12pm to 1pm)
Carpenters' Hall: 10am to 4pm (Wed-Sun)
| |
|
The following buildings at Independence NHP are closed: 318 Market Street, City Tavern, Declaration House, Free Quaker Meeting House, Germantown White House, Great Essentials Exhibit in the West Wing of Independence Hall, New Hall Military Museum, Second Bank Portrait Gallery, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, Todd and Bishop White Houses.
January & February Independence Hall Tours
In January and February (except holiday weekends), entrance to Independence Hall is by tour only, but no tickets are required. Entrance is first-come, first-served. Rangers will cap the line when the number of people in line equals the capacity of the remaining tours. Tours begin every 30 minutes, although additional tours may be added on weekends.
---
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.
| | |
|
In Case You Missed It: Welcome Park | |
On Monday, January 8th, Independence National Historical Park withdrew the review of a draft proposal to rehabilitate Welcome Park, located on 2nd Street, between Chestnut and Walnut. No changes to the William Penn statue are planned.
Read the full NPS News Release here.
As the philanthropic partner to Independence National Historical Park, the Trust is here to help support the mission of the National Park Service and assist in furthering the goals of Independence NHP. We firmly believe in the public process and giving a voice to the people. After all, these spaces belong to all of us.
| |
Ben Franklin's 318th Birthday! | |
A Philadelphia favorite, Benjamin Franklin, turns 318 this year! Looking for ways to celebrate? Our Historic District friends have you covered.
On Franklin's birthday, January 17th, the American Philosophical Society presents Bucking the Counterfeiters, a program on science behind Franklin's money printing.
Later in the week on January 19th, take part in the 2024 Ben Franklin Birthday Celebration: Craftsmanship and enjoy ice cream and hot chocolate from Franklin Fountain. The event is presented in conjunction with the 300th Anniversary of The Carpenters' Company.
| |
| |
|
|
We were saddened to learn about the passing of two friends of the Trust: Susan Detwiler, a former Executive Director of Independence Historical Trust and Herman Baron, a dedicated Twilight Tour Guide.
Susan Detwiler served as Executive Director in the early 1980's during the Trust's beginning stages of planning for the Bicentennial of the Constitution and the "Miracle at Philadelphia" exhibit that would go on to inspire the National Constitution Center.
Herman Brown shared his love of history with visitors to the Park as a Twilight Tour Guide, free walking tours offered by the Trust since 1979. His company, Diane Publishing Co., published Celebrations! a personal memoir of the Bicentennial Era by Park Superintendent, Hobie Cawood.
| |
Independence Historical Trust's Legacy Award Gala | |
|
We were delighted to honor Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. with our Legacy Award on January 4th. The Trust’s Legacy Award is given to a person who exhibits outstanding vision, innovation, hard work, and extraordinary achievements in our country and for promoting and championing its interests. It was an evening filled with laughs, thought-provoking stories, and great conversation. Many thanks to all who supported the event!
Watch a recording of our program with Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. and journalist Tracey Matisak, here.
| |
|
With Gratitude to our Gala Committee | |
|
Gregory Deavens, Committee Chair
Renee Allen
Gail Chavis
Harold and Kathy Epps
Oliver St. Clair Franklin
Derek S. Green and Sheila Mitchell-Green
Ivan Henderson
| |
|
Dr. Ashley Jordan
Bill and Randi Marrazzo
Gina Golson Nunery and Lee Nunery
Bernie and Jacquelyn Smalley
Howard and Shirley Trauger
Angela Val
Patricia Wilson-Aden
| |
Thank You to Our Sponsors | | |
|
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.
| | | | |
