National Constitution Center:
In today’s edition of American Nomad, we’re continuing our Philadelphia Adventures with a visit to The National Constitution Center.
Our Philadelphia journey continues, and this time, we’re diving deep into the very soul of American democracy at the National Constitution Center. Imagine walking through the very document that shaped a nation. We did just that, and were struck by how the center brings the Constitution to life through its interactive exhibits. This is the first and only museum dedicated to the heartbeat of the American government – The US Constitution.
The National Constitution Center is located steps away from Independence Hall, the site where the The Constitution was written, debated and approved in 1787.
Hands down, this museum was one of the top highlights of our visit to Philadelphia. As our nation grapples with questions of Constitutional authority and democratic representation – I keep returning to the lessons I learned about the Constitution at The National Constitution Center.
The museum provides a comprehensive view of this ‘living’ document, which was laid down by the Constitutional Congress in 1787, and has continued to be debated and shaped through legislation and landmark court cases for over 200 years. The Constitution is a historical document, written and approved in 1787, but it is also a living document that continues to provide a framework for government and debate about the limits and necessity of government today.
What is remarkable about The Constitution, that the authors, including James Madison, were mindful of the need for agility in the document’s interpretation, while also ensuring that no one power could work to strip the rights away from ‘We the People.’
The National Constitution Center shatters the perception that Civics is boring, bringing civics to life in a fun, tangible way, all while delivering substantial educational content. Several school groups were touring the museum while my mom and I were there. Their eyes lit up as they learned about Freedom of Speech, the 19th Amendment (Woman’s right to vote), and debated mock cases, hammering the gavel as Supreme Court Justices. I even overheard one student exclaim, ‘This is way better than history class!
The museum invites you to:
- Learn about the history of The Constitution and how it came into being
- Learn about each of the Articles and amendments, and dive into their interpretations throughout history. Does Freedom of Speech really mean all speech is okay – even if it invokes hate and prejudice (the short answer is no!)
- Learn about each of the three branches of government and the necessity for checks and balances. *A popular exhibit allows you to be a Supreme Court Justice and weigh in on landmark cases throughout history.
In these times, We the People must revisit and review the history of America’s roots as a Democratic-Republic, a system where elected representatives govern on behalf of the people, and actively stand up for our role as citizens. Serving as a vital reminder of civic responsibility, The National Constitution Center helps visitors understand their roles as citizens and how our government functions.
History Primer…
In our recent blog post on Independence Hall, we dived into the history of how The Constitution came into being.
Following the victory for Independence from England, the thirteen colonies formally adopted The Articles of Confederation.
The Articles of Confederation, were originally drafted in York PA by the Continental Congress as a means to run the colonial governments during the war. It was adopted in 1783 as the official working government of the United States, but as you will learn in The National Constitution Center, The Articles of Confederation had some serious flaws. For instance, there was no national currency and each state had their own set of money, which for obvious reasons caused issues with interstate commerce and exchange. The biggest issue was that while The Articles of Confederation was set up for a national congress of elected state delegates, the federal government had zero power to really collect taxes owed.
“The Confederation, resting only on good faith, had no power to collect taxes, defend the country, pay the public debt, let alone encourage trade and commerce…” (from Miracle in Philadelphia by Catherine Drinker Bowen).
The debt of the war and disparity between states also caused jealousy. The states that paid their federal taxes were rightfully angered by those who did not. “New Hampshire has not paid a shilling since peace and does not ever mean to pay one for all eternity,” A Virginian fumed in 1787. “In New York they pay well because they can do it by plundering New Jersey and Connecticut…”
It didn’t help when states would levy tariffs on other states.
While the one federal authority given to Congress was foreign policy, even then the states would make their own deals with foreign governments.
Suffice it to say, while a good start towards democratic government it was seriously flawed. Eventually it was decided to call a Federal Convention in Philadelphia (now known as The Constitutional Convention) to rework The Articles of Confederation and improve upon the existing document. However it quickly became apparent that an entirely new form of government needed to be established.
This in itself was extremely controversial, as smaller states worried that larger states would make a power grab, etc…In fact Rhode Island, the smallest state, chose to not even show up, fearful they’d be left out (which I’d say wasn’t the brightest idea – you will be left out if you aren’t even in the room, but I’m just giving my opinion here)
While this convention could have led to a government focused on power of the few, the men instead yielded and worked through a series of compromises to truly create a Democratic Republic for and by the people.
And while men like James Madison (the primary author of The Constitution) researched ancient democracies and republics in Greece and early Rome to parliamentary monarchy in England…truly there was no blueprint for this new government. It was truly something new and for all the egos and personal convictions of the men who worked to create our Constitution at the end of the day, they surprisingly chose the good of the people versus primary self-interest.
Washington, who served as the appointed president of The Constitutional Convention in 1787, remarked to war hero and friend Marquis of Lafayette on Feb. 7, 1788 of the Constitution:
“It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle, that the Delegates from so many different States (which States you know are also different from each other), in their manners, circumstances, and prejudices, should unite in forming a system of national Government, so little liable to well founded objections.”
On September 17th, The Constitution was adopted. It then had to go to the states for ratification, which took until 1789. Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution. To help convince the others, a series of Federalist Papers, which we now know to be written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay were published to gain public support.
Not all of the delegates present at The Convention voted ‘yay.’ George Mason, a prominent Virginian, was not opposed to the concept, but was fearful that without a Bill of Rights there could be governmental abuses. George Mason had already introduced a Bill of Rights in Virginia to ensure certain protections that we now take for granted. The Bill of Rights was eventually codified into law as the first ten amendments to the Constitution in 1791.
‘A Republic can keep it…”
Benjamin Franklin, observing the emblem on the back of George Washington’s chair, concluded that the United States was a rising sun, symbolizing a new dawn for the nation.
When leaving the convention on September 17, 1787 after its approval, Franklin was stopped by Philadelphian Elizabeth Willing Powel, who asked: “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?”
Franklin answered: “A republic if you can keep it.”
Getting to Know The Constitution:
You can read the entire Constitution and amendments with ‘cliff notes’ to help you better understand the importance of each section.
The Constitution is divided into Seven Articles, each detailing specific functions of government. In addition the Constitution is comprised of amendments like the Bill of Rights (first Ten Amendments of the Constitution)
Article 4: States, Citizenship and New States
Article 6: Debts, Supremacy, Oaths, Religious Tests
The framers wanted to ensure a balance of power so that the rights of all states and their people would be best represented in Congress. States like Delaware with smaller populations than say New York or Virginia did not like having a system based purely on population, whereas larger states felt their larger populations would be silenced by smaller state populations. After much debate, a Great Compromise (Also known as the Connecticut Plan) created a bicameral legislative branch, where you have The House of Representatives elected by population base, whereas states would have equal representation in the Senate (2 senators per state). The House and The Senate would each have unique responsibilities within legislation to ensure a true balance of power.
Each of the three branches of government has it’s own specific powers, that work together with the other branches to make the federal government whole.
Ex: The Legislative Branch has the power to create laws and the power of the purse (spend money, budgets, etc). The Executive Branch has the power to veto those laws, but as a check, Congress can override a veto with a 2/3 majority. The Judicial Branch has the power to ensure the laws comply with the Constitution and to interpret the law for the good of the people and government.
The Executive Branch, was a hotly debated subject as some delegates feared it would lead to ‘the fetus of monarchy.’ There was some consideration of having several men in charge of the Executive Branch, but a fear of disagreement amongst them or a union of power grab would potentially weaken the purpose of a President. The President’s strongest balance check on Congress was the ‘veto.’
The purpose of the judicial branch is to interpret laws, apply them to real-world situations, and ensure that laws are consistent with the Constitution, ultimately upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights. The National Constitution Center explains how the judicial branch’s power expanded overtime as a check on Congressional and Executive power, with landmark cases like Marbury vs. Madison.
Though imperfect, the system of checks and balances, designed to uphold the Constitutional aim of ‘We The People’ and establish good government for the people and by the people, has largely upheld the rule of law, even amidst challenges. Where danger can occur is when one branch goes unchecked by another without accountability (ex: Executive Branch acts without approval from Congress on legislative issues).
Quick Facts:
- Delegates from 12 States (Rhode Island was missing in action) met from May 1787 to September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia at the State House of Pennsylvania (Independence Hall) to frame what would become The U.S. Constitution. They met in the same chambers where in 1776, The Second Continental Congress signed The Declaration of Independence. Learn more about Independence Hall in this blog post.
- The delegates were sworn to secrecy during the proceedings. The summer of 1787 was up to that point one of the hottest on record. They kept the blinds closed for secrecy making it feel like a puddle of sweat by the end of the day.
What to See?
The National Constitution Center has a variety of interactive exhibits about The Constitution.
I recommend starting off with The Freedom Rising production in The Kimmel Theater. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor called it “the best 17-minute civics lesson in the country.”
This engaging theatrical production features 360-degree multimedia and a live narrator who tells the story of the U.S. Constitution – from its creation during the 1787 Constitutional Convention to the amendments and court decisions that continue to make the Constitution “the most powerful vision of human freedom ever expressed.”
One of my favorite exhibits was Signer’s Hall, where you can walk among 42 life size bronze statues of the framers of the Constitution and relieve the moment they launched a government ruled by ‘We The People.’
This exhibit includes quotes from the delegates, like George Mason and his views on The Bill of Rights, to Franklin and Washington’s views. You can stand beside Hamilton (musical score not included).
After The Signer’s Hall, dive into The Story of We the People exhibit. This exhibit allows you to travel through time, with an interactive timeline of the events leading up to the The Constitutional Convention of 1787, the issues discussed and key players in the convention, how the Constitution was adopted and ratified, before you journey across key amendments to the Constitution and struggles that tried to upend the US Republic and Constitution like The Civil War.
A few of the highlights of this exhibit for me and my mom were:
- The American National Tree, where we learned about 100 citizens who shaped America’s constitutional history.
- Audio of dialogue that acted out the issues with The Articles of Confederation and what led to The U.S. Constitution
- An interactive library with audio of books that influenced founders like James Madison. To prepare for his role as a delegate, and eventual author of The Constitution, Madison had Jefferson send him books on philosophy and government from Europe (Jefferson was an ambassador to France at the time), so he could study these works and understand political science.
- Artifacts from Philadelphians who lived in the city where the current museum now stands
- Breakdown of key court cases like Marbury vs. Madison and how checks and balances have helped to define the American government over time.
Must-See: The First Amendment Exhibit
What are the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment?
- Religious Liberty
- Free Speech
- Free Press
- Freedom of Assembly
- Right to Petition
This exhibit made me rethink the concept of ‘Freedom of Speech,’ and encouraged me to not be afraid to ‘raise my voice’ as a citizen (writing Congressional reps and why freedom of speech matters)
This 1,500-square-foot exhibit showcases over 20 artifacts that illustrate the five freedoms of the First Amendment, highlighting their historical defense. Key items include Justice Brandeis’s draft opinion, a Tinker v. Des Moines armband, the Pentagon Papers, and a March on Washington pennant. Visitors engage with the exhibit through interactive games and displays, testing their First Amendment knowledge.
Click here to learn more about The First Amendment – Five Freedoms Exhibit
Planning Your Visit:
I recommend blocking off 3 hours for this museum, given the number of fun exhibits for adults and kids alike. They have a great cafe on site (burgers, salads, etc…) and a Starbucks if you need a Constitutional Caffeine fix.
I really enjoyed the bookstore and purchased several great books including ‘Miracle at Philadelphia’ by Cahterine Drinker Bowen.
You can purchase tickets online here
https://constitutioncenter.org/museum/visit/tickets
They offered a complimentary wheelchair my mom was able to use (she has trouble standing for long periods of time). The museum is ADA friendly.
Next up on our Revolutionary Philadelphia Tour, we will tour The Museum of the American Revolution. Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest posts.
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