Presidents George Washington and John Adams both lived here when Philadelphia was Capitol of the United States. Hear about the Pennsylvania “royalty” who lived here, the invasion of Philadelphia, and the site’s treasonous activity.

An iconic symbol of American freedom. View this historic bell from the outside and hear about its long history. “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof!”

Congress Hall, c. 1789, served as the very first United States Capitol. This was where the federal government of the United States convened from 1790-1800.

The United States was born here! The U.S. Constitution was created here! Huzzah! Independence Hall, c. 1733, was the Pennsylvania State House for more than forty years before America separated from Britain.

The newly formed United State supreme court convened here when Philadelphia was the temporary capitol of the nation. President George Washington chose the first justices.

This museum is located in Philosophical Hall, c. 1789. Exhibits change annually. Ben Franklin founded the APS in 1743 for the purpose of “promoting useful knowledge.” A carved figure of Benjamin Franklin occupies the center façade of this building—a fitting tribute to the man who founded the oldest learning society in the U.S.

Learn about the Father of the U.S. Navy and his amazing exploits at sea during the American Revolution.

The Second Bank of the United States, c. 1824, is a fine example of Greek Revival architecture. This building was once a financial hub for the nation.

Learn about the forgotten founding father. Robert Morris was a financier and leader in the American Revolution, yet he’s barely known today. From greatness to obscurity: What happened to him?

The site of the First Continental Congress, the colonies’ first step towards independence. Delegates from twelve colonies gathered here in 1774 to address their problems with Britain.

Before marrying future U.S. president James Madison, Dolley Todd lived in this Philadelphia home with her first husband, John Todd, and faced the 1793 yellow fever epidemic.

Once the commercial and financial center of Philadelphia, admire the almost 200-year-old architecture of William Strickland’s Greek revival masterpiece.