Independence Hall stands as one of our nation's most recognizable landmarks. In popular memory, the former Pennsylvania state house is intricately woven into the early fabric of our country and our city. As a symbol of justice, equality, and freedom, only the national flag is more familiar to Americans.

The landmark's connections to social and political movements did not end with the Revolution. Throughout our history, Independence hall has been the locust of protest, from the labor agitations of the 19th century to the women's suffrage movement in the early 20th, through the 1960’s with the Annual Reminder pickets for LGBT rights.

HSP's newest document display explores the myriad ways Independence Hall has developed throughout its history, reflecting larger forces at work in both Philadelphia and the nation.

Independence Hall: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness includes photographs, manuscripts, prints, ephemera and more from HSP’s collections:

• First draft of the Articles of Confederation, June 1776  
• Knights of Labor Constitution, 1888 
• Original building plans for Independence Hall, 1732 
• Photographs from the Justice Bell Tour of 1915 
• Christopher Marshall’s illustrations of the signing of the Declaration of Independence

Free and open to the public during normal library hours.