Preserving America's Treasures

Independence Hall, with its bell tower and clock, was the imposing 18th-century building where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were debated, adopted and signed. The open space nearby was once crowded with houses, businesses and stables, and by the early 1900s the neighborhood had become run down. Local civic leaders led by Judge Edwin O. Lewis worked to protect Independence Hall and other historic buildings for the future. Thanks to their efforts, the United States Congress established Independence National Historical Park in 1948 as a unit of the National Park Service. The creation of this national park sparked an urban renewal of the entire area. Many structures were demolished to protect important buildings like Independence Hall from fire, and the green space on the Mall, redesigned in 2000, provides room for visitors.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · United States