Standing behind Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center in bills itself as the third stop on the walking tour of Philadelphia’s role in the formation of the United States of America. This ideal location allows the surrounding, well-known historic landmarks to evoke sensations of patriotism and pride in visitors and, when guests arrive at the National Constitution Center, the museum provides opportunities to act on these sensations. The National Constitution Center picks up where the Liberty Bell leaves off and educates visitors about how distinct post-Revolutionary American values shaped the Constitution and how the Constitution shapes Americans’ daily lives.
The National Constitution Center provides a truly sensuous experience to visitors. The architecture, designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, reflects the museum’s theme of continuity. The large circular room which hosts the museum’s permanent exhibit, “The American Experience” takes guests on a journey through the history of the Constitution through a series of interactive and engaging displays. The walls curve almost imperceptibly around the guests as the follow the exhibit from the signers of the Constitution to the election of Barack Obama and suddenly find themselves back at the beginning, demonstrating the incomparable, lasting significance of the Constitution.
The entrance to the exhibit is called the “Signer’s Hall,” a plain but stately space, filled with life-sized bronze statues of the signers of the Constitution, as though they were frozen in time. In the center of the room is a large copy of the constitution with an invitation for visitors to sign their own name. This reenactment of a historically significant moment effectively launches the visitor experience to the larger exhibit of the Constitution.
The exhibit itself is accessible to a wide audience. The informative and slightly controversial nature of the displays appeal to a range of adults (particularly American adults) and the fun, interactive displays successfully entertain children while providing subtle education. The exhibit moves chronologically, focusing on times in American history when the Constitution played a significant role in changing and developing law and society. The displays on the museum’s outer walls are colorful, filled with bold images and artifacts, intermingled with language from the Constitution. These are accompanied by text which provides relevant background information about the subject. Several portions of the exhibit also have a video display that can be listened to through headsets. Some videos contain historical television footage of key events, such as the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Others show commentary by modern political leaders or mock debates about past controversies.
The inner area of the museum boasts several more interactive stations that focus mainly on allowing the audience to become active participants in the history of the Constitution. A simulated voting booth allows guests to vote for their favorite presidents (unfortunately, they are compelled to choose from a short list). A display about the Supreme Court features the opportunity to try on a judicial robe and sit behind a judge’s bench. Perhaps most engagingly, throughout the museum, there are walls with large questions such as, “Should same-sex marriage be legal?” Next to these walls are stacks of Post-It notes and pencils, inviting participants to jot down their opinions, post them on the wall and, in a small way, become part of a topical national conversation.
The final segment of the museum’s permanent exhibit is a 4-D performance called “Freedom Rising.” The theater is in the center of the museum. As audiences wait to be seated, they are invited to circle the theater and view small artifacts from 18th century America, including children’s toys, clothing, and household goods. A mural depicting a Philadelphia street surrounds them and hidden speakers play snippets of staged conversations and sounds from the street scene on the painting. Inside the theater, audience seats are on a raised platform on the outer edges of a cylindrical room. A screen extends around the top half of the room. As the lights dim, a single performer enters the room and delivers a dramatic monologue about the Constitution, its creation, and its enormous impact on the evolution of the United States. Her performance is accompanied by a stunning visual production projected on the screen surrounding the room, as well as on a cylindrical screen that drops from the ceiling minutes into the show. Sound clips, some staged and some historical, complete the experience. The content of the show is a heavy dose of American pie but, based on observed reactions, this unique portion of the exhibit communicated successfully with its audience.
It is unsurprising that the National Constitution Center takes on an overwhelmingly patriotic tone and glosses over any serious Constitutional criticisms. The museum was founded as part of the Constitution Heritage Act of 1988 and two former presidents sit on the Board of Trustees. The building of the museum was initially state funded and was also given a substantial endowment. (Admission costs, a store museum, parking fees, facility rentals, and a cafe contribute to the operating costs of the Center.) However, despite the obvious financial ties to the state, the National Constitution Center maintains that it is an independent and non-partisan organization with a purely educational mission.
The National Constitution Center strives to provide a number of venues for education, from school tours to teacher resources. This mission is furthered by the museum’s continual efforts to offer free lectures and events for the public. Each month, they invite new speakers to deliver addresses on a variety of topics. These open lectures draw huge crowds and the museum hopes that their presence will lead to an increased awareness of the Constitution. Additionally, the National Constitution Center hosts a variety of traveling exhibits, most recently a tribute to Princess Diana, entitled, “Diana: a celebration.” New, rotating exhibits allow for constantly renewed interest in the museum and encourage repeat visitors. Furthermore, the National Constitution Center’s website (www.constitutioncenter.org) boasts extensive information about the Constitution for adults and several games and interactive pages for children. The Center’s dedication to education is shown through the variety of means in which its collection is accessible to the public.
The National Constitution Center exceeds expectations in terms of fulfilling its purpose of bringing awareness to the Constitution and constitutional issues in the United States. Its sensational multimedia approach, combined with elements of living history and traditional displays, successfully engages the public with some of the most notable constitutional debates over the last two-hundred years. The interactive nature of the exhibit, particularly the museum’s continual requests for guest involvement, provides visitors with a uniquely personal connection to the Constitution and a memorable experience. The National Constitution Center takes the traditional Philadelphia walking tour out of its purely historical context and creates an exciting, relevant experience for any audience.
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