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| alt = The [[Liberty Bell]] (foreground) and [[Independence Hall]] (background)
| alt = The [[Liberty Bell]] (foreground) and [[Independence Hall]] (background)
| caption = The [[Liberty Bell]] (foreground) and [[Independence Hall]] (background) at Independence National Historical Park
| caption = The [[Liberty Bell]] (foreground) and [[Independence Hall]] (background) at Independence National Historical Park
| location = 143 S. 3rd Street, [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| location = 143 S. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, [[Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| coordinates = {{coord|39.947778|-75.148056|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|39.947778|-75.148056|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = Philadelphia#Pennsylvania#USA
| locmapin = Philadelphia#Pennsylvania#USA
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}}
}}


'''Independence National Historical Park''' is a [[List of the United States National Park System official units|federally protected historic district]] in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]] that preserves several sites associated with the [[American Revolution]] and the nation's founding history. Administered by the [[National Park Service]], the {{convert|55|acre|ha|adj=on}}<ref name="BP"/> park comprises many of Philadelphia's most-visited historic sites within the [[Old City, Philadelphia|Old City]] and [[Society Hill]] neighborhoods. The park has been nicknamed "America's most historic square mile" because of its abundance of historic landmarks.<ref>{{cite book |title=Cultural connections: museums and libraries of Philadelphia and the Delaware |last=Vogel |first=Morris |year=1991 |publisher=Temple University Press |isbn=978-0-87722-840-0 |page=[https://archive.org/details/culturalconnecti00voge/page/202 202] |url=https://archive.org/details/culturalconnecti00voge |url-access=registration |access-date=April 8, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Philadelphia |last=Dunbar |first=Richard |year=1999 |publisher=Casa Editrice Bonechi |isbn=978-88-8029-926-4 |page=10 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8jbgYTpQcl4C&pg=PA10 |access-date=April 8, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Fodor's Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country |author=Fodor's |year=2005 |edition=3rd |publisher=Random House Digital |isbn=1-4000-1567-7 |page=8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hUOHQF770PgC&pg=PA8 |access-date=April 8, 2011}}</ref>
'''Independence National Historical Park''' is a [[List of the United States National Park System official units|federally protected historic district]] in Philadelphia, [[Pennsylvania]] that preserves several sites associated with the [[American Revolution]] and the nation's founding history. Administered by the [[National Park Service]], the {{convert|55|acre|ha|adj=on}}<ref name="BP"/> park comprises many of Philadelphia's most-visited historic sites within the [[Old City, Philadelphia|Old City]] and [[Society Hill]] neighborhoods. The park has been nicknamed "America's most historic square mile" because of its abundance of historic landmarks.<ref>{{cite book |title=Cultural connections: museums and libraries of Philadelphia and the Delaware |last=Vogel |first=Morris |year=1991 |publisher=Temple University Press |isbn=978-0-87722-840-0 |page=[https://archive.org/details/culturalconnecti00voge/page/202 202] |url=https://archive.org/details/culturalconnecti00voge |url-access=registration |access-date=April 8, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Philadelphia |last=Dunbar |first=Richard |year=1999 |publisher=Casa Editrice Bonechi |isbn=978-88-8029-926-4 |page=10 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8jbgYTpQcl4C&pg=PA10 |access-date=April 8, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Fodor's Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country |author=Fodor's |year=2005 |edition=3rd |publisher=Random House Digital |isbn=1-4000-1567-7 |page=8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hUOHQF770PgC&pg=PA8 |access-date=April 8, 2011}}</ref>


The centerpiece of the park is [[Independence Hall]], where the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and the [[United States Constitution]] were debated and adopted by America's [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Fathers]] in the late 18th century.<ref>{{cite book |title=Independence: the creation of a national park |last=Greiff |first=Constance M. |year=1987 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |location=Philadelphia |isbn=0-8122-8047-4 |page=113 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aqEQydqanhUC |access-date=June 11, 2011 |quote=...and at the park's centerpiece, Independence Hall.}}</ref> Independence Hall was the principal meetinghouse of the [[Second Continental Congress]] from 1775 to 1783 and the [[Constitutional Convention (United States)|Constitutional Convention]] in the summer of 1787.<ref>[http://www.historicphiladelphia.org/the-basics/independence-hall/  Independence Hall] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519114210/http://historicphiladelphia.org/the-basics/independence-hall/ |date=2011-05-19 }}, ''Historic Philadelphia''.</ref> Next to Independence Hall is [[Carpenters' Hall]], the 1774 meeting site for the [[First Continental Congress]], and [[Congress Hall]], the meeting place of the [[United States Congress]] in the 1790s prior to the establishment of [[Washington, D.C.]] as the nation's capital in 1800.
The centerpiece of the park is [[Independence Hall]], where the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and the [[United States Constitution]] were debated and adopted by America's [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Fathers]] in the late 18th century.<ref>{{cite book |title=Independence: the creation of a national park |last=Greiff |first=Constance M. |year=1987 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |location=Philadelphia |isbn=0-8122-8047-4 |page=113 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aqEQydqanhUC |access-date=June 11, 2011 |quote=...and at the park's centerpiece, Independence Hall.}}</ref> Independence Hall was the principal meetinghouse of the [[Second Continental Congress]] from 1775 to 1783 and the [[Constitutional Convention (United States)|Constitutional Convention]] in the summer of 1787.<ref>[http://www.historicphiladelphia.org/the-basics/independence-hall/  Independence Hall] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519114210/http://historicphiladelphia.org/the-basics/independence-hall/ |date=2011-05-19 }}, ''Historic Philadelphia''.</ref> Next to Independence Hall is [[Carpenters' Hall]], the 1774 meeting site for the [[First Continental Congress]], and [[Congress Hall]], the meeting place of the [[United States Congress]] in the 1790s prior to the establishment of [[Washington, D.C.]] as the nation's capital in 1800.
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===Continental Congress and American Revolution===
===Continental Congress and American Revolution===
{{further|American Revolution}}
{{further|American Revolution}}
In response to the [[Intolerable Acts]], which had punished [[Boston]] for the [[Boston Tea Party]], the [[First Continental Congress]] met at [[Carpenters' Hall]] in [[Philadelphia]] from September 5, 1774, to October 26, 1774.<ref name="Declaration of Independence 1">{{cite book |title=The United States Declaration of Independence (Revisited) |last=Owensby |first=J. Jackson |year=2010 |publisher=A-Argus Books |isbn=978-0-9846195-4-2 |pages=348–349 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TZfDs_yJPYC |access-date=May 28, 2011}}</ref>
In response to the [[Intolerable Acts]], which had punished Boston for the [[Boston Tea Party]], the [[First Continental Congress]] met at [[Carpenters' Hall]] in Philadelphia from September 5, 1774, to October 26, 1774.<ref name="Declaration of Independence 1">{{cite book |title=The United States Declaration of Independence (Revisited) |last=Owensby |first=J. Jackson |year=2010 |publisher=A-Argus Books |isbn=978-0-9846195-4-2 |pages=348–349 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TZfDs_yJPYC |access-date=May 28, 2011}}</ref>


The convention organized a pact among the colonies to boycott British goods, the [[Continental Association]], starting December 1, 1774<ref name="Declaration of Independence 2">{{cite book |title=The United States Declaration of Independence (Revisited) |last=Owensby |first=J. Jackson |year=2010 |publisher=A-Argus Books |isbn=978-0-9846195-4-2 |page=374 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TZfDs_yJPYC |access-date=May 28, 2011}}</ref> and provided for a [[Second Continental Congress]] in Philadelphia.
The convention organized a pact among the colonies to boycott British goods, the [[Continental Association]], starting December 1, 1774<ref name="Declaration of Independence 2">{{cite book |title=The United States Declaration of Independence (Revisited) |last=Owensby |first=J. Jackson |year=2010 |publisher=A-Argus Books |isbn=978-0-9846195-4-2 |page=374 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TZfDs_yJPYC |access-date=May 28, 2011}}</ref> and provided for a [[Second Continental Congress]] in Philadelphia.


On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress assembled at the  [[Independence Hall|Pennsylvania State House]] after the [[Battles of Lexington and Concord]] marked the beginning of the [[American Revolutionary War]].<ref name="Declaration of Independence 3">{{cite book |title=The United States Declaration of Independence (Revisited) |last=Owensby |first=J. Jackson |year=2010 |publisher=A-Argus Books |isbn=978-0-9846195-4-2 |page=451 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TZfDs_yJPYC |access-date=May 28, 2011}}</ref> Congress adopted the [[Olive Branch Petition]] in July 1775, which affirmed American loyalty to Great Britain and entreated [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]] to prevent further conflict.<ref name="Declaration of Independence 4">{{cite book |title=The United States Declaration of Independence (Revisited) |last=Owensby |first=J. Jackson |year=2010 |publisher=A-Argus Books |isbn=978-0-9846195-4-2 |page=459 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TZfDs_yJPYC |access-date=May 28, 2011}}</ref>
On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress assembled at the  [[Independence Hall|Pennsylvania State House]] after the [[Battles of Lexington and Concord]] marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.<ref name="Declaration of Independence 3">{{cite book |title=The United States Declaration of Independence (Revisited) |last=Owensby |first=J. Jackson |year=2010 |publisher=A-Argus Books |isbn=978-0-9846195-4-2 |page=451 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TZfDs_yJPYC |access-date=May 28, 2011}}</ref> Congress adopted the [[Olive Branch Petition]] in July 1775, which affirmed American loyalty to Great Britain and entreated [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]] to prevent further conflict.<ref name="Declaration of Independence 4">{{cite book |title=The United States Declaration of Independence (Revisited) |last=Owensby |first=J. Jackson |year=2010 |publisher=A-Argus Books |isbn=978-0-9846195-4-2 |page=459 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TZfDs_yJPYC |access-date=May 28, 2011}}</ref>


The petition was rejected in August 1775, the King's [[Proclamation of Rebellion]] formally declared the colonies to be in a state of rebellion.<ref name="Declaration of Independence 5">{{cite book |title=The United States Declaration of Independence (Revisited) |last=Owensby |first=J. Jackson |year=2010 |publisher=A-Argus Books |isbn=978-0-9846195-4-2 |page=465 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TZfDs_yJPYC |access-date=May 28, 2011}}</ref>
The petition was rejected in August 1775, the King's [[Proclamation of Rebellion]] formally declared the colonies to be in a state of rebellion.<ref name="Declaration of Independence 5">{{cite book |title=The United States Declaration of Independence (Revisited) |last=Owensby |first=J. Jackson |year=2010 |publisher=A-Argus Books |isbn=978-0-9846195-4-2 |page=465 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TZfDs_yJPYC |access-date=May 28, 2011}}</ref>
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===Usage as a municipal facility===
===Usage as a municipal facility===
[[File:Independence_Hall,_2016_2.jpg|thumb|Independence Hall, the iconic [[Philadelphia]] building where the [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Fathers]] unanimously adopted the [[United States Declaration of Independence|U.S. Declaration of Independence]] and appointed [[George Washington]] as commander of the [[Continental Army]] in a bold but risky effort to secure independence from [[British colonization of the Americas|Britain's colonial governance]]]]
[[File:Independence_Hall,_2016_2.jpg|thumb|Independence Hall, the iconic Philadelphia building where the [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Fathers]] unanimously adopted the [[United States Declaration of Independence|U.S. Declaration of Independence]] and appointed [[George Washington]] as commander of the [[Continental Army]] in a bold but risky effort to secure independence from [[British colonization of the Americas|Britain's colonial governance]]]]
Despite its crucial role in the nation's founding, the site served most of its useful life as a municipal facility after the federal government relocated to the [[Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia]].<ref name="Framing Independence">[http://designobserver.com/media/pdf/Framing_Indepe_323.pdf Framing Independence Mall] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723025202/http://designobserver.com/media/pdf/Framing_Indepe_323.pdf |date=2011-07-23 }}</ref> The state government moved to [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]] in October 1812, and since there was little use for the [[Independence Hall|Pennsylvania State House]], the State of Pennsylvania considered selling it and dividing the State House Yard into building lots as early as 1802.
Despite its crucial role in the nation's founding, the site served most of its useful life as a municipal facility after the federal government relocated to the [[Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia]].<ref name="Framing Independence">[http://designobserver.com/media/pdf/Framing_Indepe_323.pdf Framing Independence Mall] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723025202/http://designobserver.com/media/pdf/Framing_Indepe_323.pdf |date=2011-07-23 }}</ref> The state government moved to [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]] in October 1812, and since there was little use for the [[Independence Hall|Pennsylvania State House]], the State of Pennsylvania considered selling it and dividing the State House Yard into building lots as early as 1802.


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[[File:Carpenters'_Hall,_Philadelphia,_USA,_May_2015.jpg|thumb|[[Carpenters' Hall]]]]
[[File:Carpenters'_Hall,_Philadelphia,_USA,_May_2015.jpg|thumb|[[Carpenters' Hall]]]]
[[File:Independence_Visitor_Center_Exterior.jpg|thumb|Exterior view of the Visitor Center]]
[[File:Independence_Visitor_Center_Exterior.jpg|thumb|Exterior view of the Visitor Center]]
The [[National Park Service]], a federal agency within the [[Department of the Interior]], is responsible for the park's maintenance and preservation. In the 2003 [[fiscal year]], the National Park Service spent approximately [[United States dollar|US$]]30.7 million on the park. Personnel and benefit costs represented about 41 percent of expenditures, and non-recurring construction and investment projects represented about 25 percent of expenditures. The Independence Visitor Center is operated as a joint venture between Independence National Historical Park and the Independence Visitor Center Corporation, a nonprofit organization. The National Park Service employs 247 permanent employees and seven seasonal employees. The park's cultural resource management program protects the historic buildings, archaeological sites, and cultural landscapes within the park, and approximately 1.5 million artifacts within the park. In 2003, the park's major projects primarily addressed repair and rehabilitation of park buildings and grounds.<ref name="BP" />
The [[National Park Service]], a federal agency within the [[Department of the Interior]], is responsible for the park's maintenance and preservation. In the 2003 fiscal year, the National Park Service spent approximately US$30.7 million on the park. Personnel and benefit costs represented about 41 percent of expenditures, and non-recurring construction and investment projects represented about 25 percent of expenditures. The Independence Visitor Center is operated as a joint venture between Independence National Historical Park and the Independence Visitor Center Corporation, a nonprofit organization. The National Park Service employs 247 permanent employees and seven seasonal employees. The park's cultural resource management program protects the historic buildings, archaeological sites, and cultural landscapes within the park, and approximately 1.5 million artifacts within the park. In 2003, the park's major projects primarily addressed repair and rehabilitation of park buildings and grounds.<ref name="BP" />


The Independence Visitor Center has information on Independence National Historical Park, the City of Philadelphia, the [[South Jersey]] and [[Delaware River]] waterfront, and the surround Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Welcome to the Independence Visitor Center|url=https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/|access-date=2021-10-26|website=www.phlvisitorcenter.com}}</ref> The {{convert|50000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} building was constructed in 2001 as the result of a cooperative effort among many area organizations, with funding from [[The Pew Charitable Trusts]], the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the [[Delaware River Port Authority]], the [[Annenberg Foundation]], the [[Connelly Foundation]], and the [[John S. and James L. Knight Foundation]].
The Independence Visitor Center has information on Independence National Historical Park, the City of Philadelphia, the [[South Jersey]] and [[Delaware River]] waterfront, and the surround Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Welcome to the Independence Visitor Center|url=https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/|access-date=2021-10-26|website=www.phlvisitorcenter.com}}</ref> The {{convert|50000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} building was constructed in 2001 as the result of a cooperative effort among many area organizations, with funding from [[The Pew Charitable Trusts]], the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the [[Delaware River Port Authority]], the [[Annenberg Foundation]], the [[Connelly Foundation]], and the [[John S. and James L. Knight Foundation]].
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The Independence Visitors Center opened in November 2001, the National Constitution Center opened in July 2003, and the Liberty Bell was moved into the [[Liberty Bell Center]] in October 2003. The Liberty Bell Pavilion was demolished in 2006. Exhibits include coverage of slavery in US history and its abolition.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/inde/parkmgmt/upload/LRIP-2110_INDELRIP_Rev12-13-07.pdf Independence National Historical Park - Long-Range Interpretive Plan], ''National Park Service''.</ref><ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/ The Liberty Bell] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704163228/http://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/|date=2015-07-04}}, ''ushistory.org''.</ref> A memorial at the corner of 6th and Market Streets outlines the site of the former President's House and commemorates the slaves who worked there, with foundations visible below ground.
The Independence Visitors Center opened in November 2001, the National Constitution Center opened in July 2003, and the Liberty Bell was moved into the [[Liberty Bell Center]] in October 2003. The Liberty Bell Pavilion was demolished in 2006. Exhibits include coverage of slavery in US history and its abolition.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/inde/parkmgmt/upload/LRIP-2110_INDELRIP_Rev12-13-07.pdf Independence National Historical Park - Long-Range Interpretive Plan], ''National Park Service''.</ref><ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/ The Liberty Bell] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704163228/http://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/|date=2015-07-04}}, ''ushistory.org''.</ref> A memorial at the corner of 6th and Market Streets outlines the site of the former President's House and commemorates the slaves who worked there, with foundations visible below ground.


In January 2024, the NPS announced a large suite of renovations planned to be completed by 2026, when the park and the city of [[Philadelphia]] expect an influx of visitors to celebrate the 250th birthday of the [[United States]].<ref name="RenovationInquirer-2024-01-23">{{cite web |url=https://www.inquirer.com/history/inq2/philadelphia-independence-national-historical-park-first-bank-2026-semiquincentennial-20240123.html |title=A Much-Needed Makeover: How Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park is getting ready for America’s 250th birthday. |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |last=Kummer |first=Frank |date=2024-01-23 |access-date = 2024-01-23}}</ref> While the park's annual budget is approximately $27 million, more than $85 million is earmarked to begin tackling the maintenance backlog in 2024 alone. The scope of the renovations is extensive, covering buildings and grounds across the entirety of the park site. Work includes both "mundane" yet "necessary" projects, such as replacing leaking roofs and outdated HVAC systems, as well as projects with more "pizzazz," such as the installation of a new public square and an overhaul of how the park will now tell a "broader story of the nation's founding."<ref name="RenovationInquirer-2024-01-23"/> The designated "major" projects include renovating the [[First Bank of the United States]], the [[Declaration House]], [[Welcome Park]], the [[Bicentennial Bell]], [[Carpenters' Hall]], and the West Wing of [[Independence Hall]].<ref name="RenovationInquirer-2024-01-23"/>
In January 2024, the NPS announced a large suite of renovations planned to be completed by 2026, when the park and the city of Philadelphia expect an influx of visitors to celebrate the 250th birthday of the [[United States]].<ref name="RenovationInquirer-2024-01-23">{{cite web |url=https://www.inquirer.com/history/inq2/philadelphia-independence-national-historical-park-first-bank-2026-semiquincentennial-20240123.html |title=A Much-Needed Makeover: How Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park is getting ready for America’s 250th birthday. |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |last=Kummer |first=Frank |date=2024-01-23 |access-date = 2024-01-23}}</ref> While the park's annual budget is approximately $27 million, more than $85 million is earmarked to begin tackling the maintenance backlog in 2024 alone. The scope of the renovations is extensive, covering buildings and grounds across the entirety of the park site. Work includes both "mundane" yet "necessary" projects, such as replacing leaking roofs and outdated HVAC systems, as well as projects with more "pizzazz," such as the installation of a new public square and an overhaul of how the park will now tell a "broader story of the nation's founding."<ref name="RenovationInquirer-2024-01-23"/> The designated "major" projects include renovating the [[First Bank of the United States]], the [[Declaration House]], [[Welcome Park]], the [[Bicentennial Bell]], [[Carpenters' Hall]], and the West Wing of [[Independence Hall]].<ref name="RenovationInquirer-2024-01-23"/>


==Other park sites==
==Other park sites==
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