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The swag is up, the bunting is draped, and the countdown is on! Independence National Historical Park is getting ready to welcome visitors from around the corner and across the globe for all things 2026!
Leading up to July 4th, there are free community events and programs, the reopening of the First Bank of the United States, the Historic District's 52 Weeks of Firsts and Red, White, & Blue To-Do, special exhibits, and more!
There is so much going on around America's most historic square mile for you to enjoy.
Want to know more about what the Trust has been up to for 2026, tune in to a special presentation with our Executive Director, Tom Caramanico, and our Director of Operations, Maiti Gallen.
P.S. The Trust is looking for volunteers for June and July! Read more below!
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Summer programs are in full swing for the 2026 season! Experience your favorite national park in new ways through free community programs.
Join us on Friday, June 19th for a special Juneteenth Edition of Movies on the Mall. In partnership with Wawa Welcome America, Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation, and the Park, we will be showing Harriet, starring Cynthis Erivo.
And don't miss out on our other programs!
Daily: Twilight Tours
June 20: Yoga at Independence
Explore all the Trust's upcoming events and programs on our website!
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Bring on June's 52 Weeks of Firsts! There is so much to celebrate during this first month of summer... Don't miss out on these Philly Firsts:
- First American Flag: 1777
- First U.S. Army: 1775
- First Annual Reminder Demonstration: 1965
- First Paper Maker in America: 1690
Just in time for the celebratory month of June... join Historic Philadelphia at the Betsy Ross House on 6/6; learn about American heroes at the Museum of the American Revolution on 6/13; discover Philly's trailblazing place in LGBTQ history at the Philly Pride Visitor Center on 6/20; and for fans of physical media and handmade things, check out Rittenhouse Town on 6/27.
| | | All 52 Weeks Firstivals take place on Saturdays from 11:00am and 1:00pm. | | |
Less than one month until we celebrate the nation's semiquincentennial right where it all began! Summer hours at the park are officially underway with plenty of opportunities to enjoy all the cultural and historical resources of Independence National Historical Park. Plan your visit today and keep up to date on the latest happenings using the Park's calendar.
Park Programs at Independence
History Hang-Out at the Liberty Bell
Take a break, drop-in, and hangout with a Park Ranger in the Liberty Bell Center as they dive deep into one of the many fascinating stories of Independence NHP. Enjoy casual conversation and hands-on activities for people of all ages.
- Where: Liberty Bell Center
- Date: Daily
- Time: 10:00am, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm
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 Second Bank
Join a ranger for a 15-minute tour of the Second Bank of America; consider banking in the early republic, discover portraits of 18th-century notables, or notice geological evidence from eons before the country was founded.
- Where: Second Bank of the United States
- Date: Daily
- Time: 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, and 4:00pm
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
Ranger Talk on Independence Square
Join a Park Ranger for a lively, short conversation about the significant events that have taken place on Independence Square.
- Where: Behind Independence Hall
- Date: Daily
- Time: 4:30pm
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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
Old City Hall: 9am to 5pm
Second Bank: 12pm to 5pm (Thu-Sun)
Ben Franklin Museum: 9am to 5pm
Franklin Printing Office: 10am to 5pm (Thu-Mon)
Free Quaker Meeting House: 11am to 4pm (Tue-Sat)
Carpenters' Hall: 10am to 4pm (Tue-Sun)
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Visiting Independence Hall & Congress Hall
Independence Hall
9:00am to 10:00am - Open House (no tickets required)
10:00am to 4:00pm - Guided Tours (tickets required)
4:20pm - 40 min. Expanded Tour (tickets required)
Congress Hall
9:00am to 10:00am - Open House (no tickets required)
10:00am to 4:40pm - Guided Program (no tickets required)
Ranger-led tours every 20 minutes.
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More of Philadelphia's National Parks
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial: 12pm to 4pm, Saturday & Sunday
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
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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.
| | June + July Volunteer Opportunities with the Trust | |
Join the Trust for an unforgettable summer and be part of history!
We are looking for volunteers to assist with all the upcoming semiquincentennial festivities and celebrations in June and July. Volunteers are needed to help in the office with prep work, join us at activity tables, staff events and ceremonies, and help create fun, memorable experiences!
Read more about our volunteer opportunities and sign up here!
| | | | | You're Invited: First Bank Ribbon Cutting on July 1st | |
We are so excited to announce that the First Bank is reopening on July 1, 2026!
In partnership with Independence National Historical Park, the Trust is hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on July 1st at 9:30am to celebrate the multi-year restoration of a historic landmark that housed the nation's first federally chartered bank. This event is free and open to the public.
Don't miss out on other events happening during the First Bank's opening week, including the Red, White, and Blue To-Do and a 52 Weeks of Firsts Firstival!
| | Becoming American: Philadelphia's Story | |
Becoming American: Philadelphia's Story - led by Independence Historical Trust board member, Oliver St. Clair Franklin - explores how the new nation was forged with Philadelphia as the backdrop for the conversations, debates, and documents that shaped the country's identity. The film pays special attention to human story, lesser known individuals, and the growth of communities.
Take a deep dive into the making of the film, check out behind-the-scenes clips, find out how to request a screening in your community by visiting the website. You can stream Becoming American on PBS starting June 15th.
| | | | | A Community of Park Lovers! | |
This summer, all eyes are on Philadelphia. As we approach America’s 250th birthday, Independence National Historical Park will welcome millions of visitors looking to experience the place where our country began.
At the Trust, we work side by side with the National Park Service, along with donors, community partners, and neighbors to support and enhance the park.
To do this work well, we need your support. A gift of $50, $100, or any amount that feels right to you this summer will support these efforts and help ensure the park is ready for this historic moment and for the years ahead.
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What do National Parks mean to you? We often like to say that we're in the forever business to ensure that these treasured places are here for generations to come.
During last year's National Park Friends Alliance meeting, the Forever Room was created as a place to pause, reflect, and share stories and discover new ones.
This beautiful short film reminds us that parks are not just places to visit, but shape who we are. Hear from those who have worked tirelessly to promote, preserve, and enhance our public lands. Please enjoy!
| | | We love Park friends! The Trust staff met up with Executive Director of Gateway Arch Park Foundation and Chair of the National Park Friends Alliance, Ryan McClure (center), during his recent visit to Philadelphia. Ryan has been an amazing advocate for National Parks and their Friends Groups. | | During our first B.A.R.K. Ranger event of the season, the Trust welcomed 22 of the very best boys and girls (including newly sworn-in BARK Ranger, Daphne) to Independence! | | Have you been to Washington Square recently? If not, take some time to stroll through the park. Enjoy the beautiful blooms and learn more about this historic Philadelphia public square. | | The Trust's 2026 Summer Programs kicked-off in May with Yoga at Independence led by our friends at Monarch Yoga. We couldn't ask for a better start to the weekend than yoga in our favorite National Park. Join us for our next session on June 20th! | | Did you know that Independence Hall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? In May we celebrated World Heritage Month with Global Philadelphia Association. | | |
18 new trees have been planted throughout Independence NHP as part of the Trust's Independence 2026 campaign.
Photo credit: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
| | Volunteers at United for Independence help plant flowers on Independence Mall to get the Park ready for 2026. Our friends and partners from Philadelphia's Historic District are always ready to roll up their sleeves to make Independence National Historical Park shine. | | Next month, the Park will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Street banners, part of the Independence 2026 campaign, are flying across Old City ready to welcome visitors from all over! | | Trust staff had the opportunity to visit to Founders Hall at Girard College and get up close to some records from Stephen Girard's tenure at the First Bank. Sarah Sutton is examining a ledger book, used to track accounts and transactions. | | | | |
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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