The National Constitution Center is an American non-profit institution that is devoted to the study of the Constitution of the United States. Located at Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the center is an interactive museum which serves as a national town hall, hosting government leaders, journalists, scholars, and celebrities who engage in public discussions, including Constitution-related events and presidential debates.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 17, 2000, the 213th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. The center opened on July 4, 2003, joining other historic sites and attractions in what has been called "America's most historic square mile", because of its proximity to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The center offers civic learning resources onsite and online. It does not house the original Constitution, which is stored at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.

Background

thumb|right|alt=Long, "We the People Inscription" at the National Constitution Center|"[[We the People" inscription at the National Constitution Center]]

The center was created by the Constitution Heritage Act. Approved on September 16, 1988, and signed by President Ronald Reagan, the act defined the National Constitution Center as "within or in close proximity to Independence National Historical Park. The Center shall disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a non-partisan basis in order to increase the awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people." The center is at 525 Arch Street, an address chosen because May 25 (5/25) was the date that the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia.

The architectural firm of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners designed the center, and Leslie E. Robertson Associates were the structural engineers for the project. Witold Rybczynski of The New York Times wrote, "Quiet but assertive, respectful of its surroundings, considerate of its public, this building is destined to take its place among the nation's leading public monuments."

Ralph Appelbaum Associates designed the center's visitor experience and exhibition hall.

Leadership

Jeffrey Rosen served as the president and chief executive officer of the center from 2013 until stepping down in January 2026. Vice President Vince Stango serves as the interim president and CEO and Rosen will serve as CEO Emeritus.

The honorary board chairs of the center include:

{| class="wikitable"

! Chairman !! Period

|-

|John C. Bogle||19992007

|-

|George H. W. Bush||20072009

|-

|Bill Clinton||20092012

|-

|Jeb Bush||20132017

|-

|Joe Biden||20172019

|-

|Neil Gorsuch||co-chair

|-

|Stephen G. Breyer||co-chair

|}

Civic education

Through its Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, the center offers onsite and online civic-education programs and a study center which develops and distributes teaching tools, lesson plans and resources.

Public engagement

The center has hosted several debates, including a 2008 Democratic presidential primary debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, a town hall meeting with Senator John McCain, and a 2006 Pennsylvania Senatorial debate between Republican incumbent Rick Santorum and Democratic challenger Bob Casey.

The center hosted the second 2024 Presidential debate on September 10, 2024. It was the first debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, after President Joe Biden exited the race in the weeks following the first debate of the cycle. Ironically, no mention was made of the US Constitution by either candidate during the entire 90 minute debate.

Liberty Medal

In 2006, the center became home to the Philadelphia Liberty Medal, an annual award established in 1988 to recognize "men and women of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe."

Reception

George Will wrote for The Washington Post, "At the other end of the mall sparkles a modernist jewel of America's civic life, the National Constitution Center". Jason DeParle wrote for The New York Times Learning Network, "Since opening in 2003, [the National Constitution Center] has put forward a vision of constitutional history both left and right have embraced." According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, "The National Constitution Center has established itself as one of the city's cultural celebs, attracting a million visitors a year, putting pizzazz into civic and educational offerings, hosting blockbuster exhibitions, and attracting the nation's intellectual cognoscenti and media elite like bears to honey."

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File:2012-07 ncc 01.JPG|alt=Large lobby, with state flags and bunting|State flags in the lobby

File:2012-07 ncc 06.JPG|alt=Models of the U.S. Capitol and another building|Exhibits

File:Statues of Constitution signers at the National Constitution Center.jpg|alt=See caption|Life-sized statues of the signers of the Constitution in Signers' Hall

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See also

  • Philadelphia Liberty Medal – An annual award administered by the Center
  • Constitution Day (United States)
  • Independence National Historical Park
  • Founding Fathers of the United States
  • Landmark Cases: Historic Supreme Court Decisions, 2015 TV series

References

  • Peter Jennings Project for Journalists and the Constitution
  • Podcast interview with Eli Lesser – Director of Education for the National Constitution Center from the Speaking of History podcast, July 2007
  • Constitution Daily blog of the National Constitution Center