Get Cozy in Your National Parks | | |
Shorter days, cooler temps, and changing leaves... fall is here at the National Parks of Philadelphia! It's a great time to enjoy the crisp air and peep some leaves at their peak color or settle in to some indoor exploring of the park's historic buildings. Who doesn't love an exhibit?!
If you're more of an events person, we've got several coming up like a film screening, speaker series, and a special joint program with the Fund to Conserve, the amazing organization behind some of the current exhibits in the First Bank. Read on for more information about each of these.
And, speaking of the fall season, are your a Trust supporter, donor, or volunteer who LOVES a parade? Join us and the staff and volunteers of the National Parks of Philadelphia in the Thanksgiving Day Parade! If you're interested in marching in the parade and representing the Trust and our work with the Park Service, fill out this form by November 15th.
P.S. If you can't join us, make sure to watch this Philadelphia tradition on TV.
| | | | Becoming American Film Screening with Q&A | |
Please join us for a special screening of Becoming American: Philadelphia's Story with an introduction by Oliver St. Clair Franklin, the film's host and executive producer. A Q&A session with Oliver will follow the screening. This program is free to attend.
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Screening at 6:30pm
Film Society East, 125 S. 2nd Street
RSVP Here
| | About the Film: Set against the backdrop of America’s founding, Becoming American: Philadelphia’s Story explores the lives of the city's racially diverse people, and especially the influence of the free black community. This feature length documentary film exploring the founding of the United States through the lens of Philadelphia, America's first capital. | | 52 Weeks of Firsts: November | |
It's the penultimate month of the 52 Weeks celebrations! Check out these November Philadelphia firsts:
- First Thanksgiving Day Parade (1920)
- First University in America (1740)
- First Children's Hospital in America (1855)
- First Pencil with Attached Eraser (1858)
Explore the beloved tradition of the Thanksgiving Day Parade and its Philly roots at the Weitzman on 11/7; find out how UPenn set the standard for higher ed on 11/14; continue the legacy of compassion and innovation at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on 11/21; and fix your mistakes with the "write" stuff at the National Liberty Museum on 11/28.
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Did you remember to set your clocks back? Take advantage of the extra hour 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
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
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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
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)
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Visiting Independence Hall & Congress Hall
Independence Hall
9:00am to 10:30am - Open House (no tickets required)
10:40am to 4:40pm - Guided Tours (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.
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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 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.
| | | | Exciting Opportunity to Lead Independence Historical Trust | |
Independence Historical Trust seeks a deeply experienced, partnership-focused President & CEO to lead organizational growth and expand philanthropic support for Independence National Historical Park at the heart of Philadelphia and our nation's history.
The Trust is conducting the search in partnership with Potrero Group, a national leadership consulting and executive search firm.
Please visit potrerogroup.com/INHT to apply. Priority consideration for applications is November 29, 2026. The position is open until filled. For additional information, please contact Andrew Leider, Managing Director and Search Lead, at aleider@potrerogroup.com.
| | Speaker Series: Legacies of the American Revolution | |
Join us on Thursday, November 19th at the Science History Institute for 21st Century Tribal Nations' Perspectives on the American Revolution, the next installment of the Legacies of the American Revolution Speaker Series!
Moderator A. Lynn Smith, Professor of History at Lafayette College, and panelists representing several Indigenous perspectives will describe the impact of the American Revolution and early United States history on Tribal Nations over the last several centuries.
The program will begin at 5:30pm. Doors open at 5:00pm. Register HERE!
| | | | | National Park Foundation Innovation Grant | |
We're proud to have received an innovation grant from the National Park Foundation!
In partnership with the National Parks of Philadelphia, we are establishing a Unmanned Aircraft System program that will strengthen public safety, emergency response, situational awareness, and the protection of nationally significant historic resources.
This program will support the park during large events and emergencies and enable staff to more easily inspect roofs and hard-to-reach features of the park’s historic buildings and unique urban environment.
Read the full NPF Innovation Grant Press Release here.
| | The Rising Sun Society Goes to Andalusia | |
Last month, the Rising Sun Society took a trip to Andalusia Historic House, Gardens & Arboretum. After a tour of the home with an interpretive guide, we had some light snacks and strolled in the gardens.
Andalusia was the family estate of Nicholas Biddle, the third and last president of the Second Bank of the United States, which now holds the Portrait Gallery at Independence National Historical Park.
It was a wonderful day and we enjoyed the opportunity to connect with fellow history and garden enthusiasts who share our appreciation for the special places both within and beyond our Park. To learn more about the Rising Sun Society, visit inht.org/legacy-giving.
| | | More about the Biddles: Nicholas Biddle came from a prominent family with strong ties to the American Revolution and the early government of the United States. His father, Charles Biddle, was a dedicated supporter of American independence and served alongside Benjamin Franklin on Pennsylvania’s Supreme Executive Council. His uncle and namesake, Nicholas Biddle (1750–1778), was a naval officer who died during the Revolutionary War. Another uncle, Edward Biddle, represented Pennsylvania in the First Continental Congress in 1774. | | | | Volunteer at Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial | |
The National Park Service is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to welcome visitors and share the fascinating history of Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Polish freedom fighter who played an important role in the American Revolution. This is a unique opportunity to connect American, Polish, and local history while helping visitors explore stories of liberty, service, and cultural heritage.
Volunteers will provide visitor orientation, answer questions, and engage guests in informal conversations about Kosciuszko’s legacy and the memorial’s historical significance.
More information here.
| | Be a Community Volunteer Ambassador at the National Parks of Philadelphia | |
Stewards Individual Placements, a program of Conservation Legacy, is excited to support a unique partnership model to facilitate the Community Volunteer Ambassador Program (CVA) for the National Park Service.
The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) position at National Parks of Philadelphia plays an important role in advancing the park’s commitment to volunteerism and community engagement. The CVA will help expand meaningful volunteer opportunities, increase participation and retention among existing volunteers, and create additional opportunities for community members to develop a lasting connection to the parks.
Learn more, including how to apply, here.
| | | | | Save the Date for Benjamin Franklin: America's First Diplomat | Founding Father Benjamin Franklin wore many hats: writer, printer, statesman, businessman, scientist, inventor and diplomat. But it was in his role as the United States’ senior envoy to the government of King Louis XVI of France that he made his greatest contribution to the Thirteen Colonies’ mortal struggle for independence from Great Britain. | | Join us for a presentation by retired Ambassador Glyn T. Davies exploring Franklin's importance as a diplomat from the perspective of a career Foreign Service officer. Discover Franklin's vital importance to the success of the American Revolution and how he enchanted the French by embodying the ideal American in their eyes. The presentation will begin with Mr. Franklin giving attendees a glimpse into his arrival in France on this very date 250 years ago! Register here. | | During last month's Volunteer and Supporter Appreciation Event, Independence Historical Trust honored the A250 Service Saturday group as our Volunteers of the Year! Congratulations! And thank you to everyone who volunteered with the Trust and the Park during this busy and historic year! | | Members of the Rising Sun Society and other guests of Independence Historical Trust enjoyed a morning at Andalusia Historic House, Gardens & Arbortum | | Kids of all ages enjoyed the 3rd annual Halloween in the Historic District, a neighborhood-wide trick-or-treat that featured museums, cultural institutions, small businesses, and of course, the Park Service! | The Commerce Connector officially opened last month. This revitalization project transformed a once-overlooked pedestrian corridor into a greener, safer, and more welcoming public space in Old City. | It was a How-o-ween celebration at Independence National Historical Park as we swore in dozens of new B.A.R.K. Rangers! Some even came in costume! | Edgar Allan Poe made a special appearance at the 52 Weeks of Firsts Firstival celebrating the First Modern Detective Story Written. The Murders in the Rue Morgue, published in April 1841, introduced the world to C. Auguste Dupin, an investigator who uses deduction and logic to solve crimes. | | | | |
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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