The Assembly Room
Green tables and a chandelier.
NPS Photo — Public domain · Farragutful — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lyla0724 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Andrea Kennedy (owner of Fernweh Travel Images) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · NPS Photo — Public domain
Independence Hall is a historic building in Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were debated and adopted. It is the centrepiece of Independence National Historical Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, among the most important places in the country's history. Completed in 1753, it was first called the Pennsylvania State House and served as the colonial capitol of Pennsylvania. During the Revolutionary War the Second Continental Congress met here from 1775 to 1781, founding the Continental Army on 14 June 1775 and adopting the Declaration of Independence and later the Constitution. It is an example of American Georgian architecture, with its symmetry, classical proportions, exposed brick and stone accents, topped by a white clock tower. Tours lead to the Assembly Room, with its green-covered tables and chandelier, where the delegates sat. Before the rear front stands a statue of George Washington, and a broad green faces it, backed by modern towers. It is 1.4 km in a straight line from central Philadelphia. Entry is by guided tour, so carry as little as possible. Tour times change with the season, so check the park's site and book ahead on busy days. It pairs naturally with the nearby Liberty Bell.
Green tables and a chandelier.
White above red brick.
Before the building.
Chestnut Street, Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
There is no fee, but you may need a US$1 reservation, so check the park's site.
The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were debated and adopted.