Historic Philadelphia Legacy Sites

The African American Museum in Philadelphia

701 Arch Street  | (215) 574-0380 

The perfect starting point for your African-American tour, the museum invites visitors to experience face-to-face encounters with the bold and fearless people who helped form our nation through its acclaimed core exhibit Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776-1876. The exhibition provides a multimedia historical overview of the African-American story with videos, a detailed, interactive timeline and more.  Every month, the museum features events like art exhibitions, storytelling, historical character interpretations, film series and musical celebrations, almost all of which are free with admission.

The President’s House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation

6th & Market Streets (Historic District) 

Just steps from the Liberty Bell, the President’s House deals with the paradox of slavery and freedom and commemorates the lives of the nine enslaved Africans who lived and worked in the first executive mansion when George Washington was president. The innovative outdoor site features video, original archaeology and glass interpretive panels, all telling different perspectives of this complex and powerful story.

Liberty Bell Center

6th & Market Streets (Historic District)  | (800) 537-7676 

The Liberty Bell was not only used for the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, but in the 1800s, it also became a symbol of the anti-slavery movement. The Bell continues to be used as an international symbol of freedom today.

Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church and Richard Allen Museum

419 S. 6th Street (Historic District) | (215) 925-0616 

Standing on the oldest parcel of land continuously owned by African Americans, perhaps no site is more sacred than Mother Bethel. The church is one of the first independent black churches in the nation and has remained a center of social activism since the 1700s. The museum features original artifacts dating back to the 1500s. Listen to Bishop Leath talk about the history of Mother Bethel here.

Insider Tips & Facts

Insider tip: Independence Visitor Center
Offering tickets to Independence Hall (free, timed tickets), Mural Arts tours, the National Constitution Center and various city tours and attractions, the Independence Visitor Center is a convenient stop at any point during your stay (especially the beginning part of your visit), located at 6th & Market Streets. In addition to two cafés, the Center features revolving exhibitions, free short movies, a gift shop and free wireless internet access.

Insider tip: President Obama’s "A More Perfect Union"

While in Historic Philadelphia, stop by the National Constitution Center (525 Arch Street) and look for President Barack Obama’s signed copy of his famous speech on race, “A More Perfect Union.”

Insider tip: Trace Your Genealogy

Trace your genealogy at The National Archives at Philadelphia (900 Market Street, entrance on Chestnut Street between 9th & 10th Streets)—and on select Wednesdays, take part in their genealogy workshops between 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m. Experience free exhibits exploring how “We, the people” have worked to make the American democracy apply to everyone, and connect to your family’s story.