PHILADELPHIA, June 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Constitution Center is proud to announce an array of patriotic festivities taking place Independence Week July 2 – 5, 2015 for an All-American Celebration on Independence Mall.
To kick off the festivities, the National Constitution Center will participate in Wawa Hoagie Day on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Admission to the museum is FREE on July 2, and includes access to the Center's newest feature exhibitions, including: Constituting Liberty: From the Declaration to the Bill of Rights showcasing one of 12 original, surviving copies of the Bill of Rights; Speaking Out for Equality: The Constitution, Gay Rights, and the Supreme Court; and Creating Camelot: The Kennedy Photography of Jacques Lowe.
NOTE: The National Constitution Center will have extended hours on Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3, 9:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. The museum will be open on July 4 from 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., and July 5 from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Special Programs for July 2, 2015
Go 4th & Learn about History
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Annenberg Lobby
Enjoy special readings, free book giveaways and educational fun. The first 800 children will receive a free book courtesy of Duffy Books in Homes USA.
Sworn-Again America Ceremony
1 p.m.
Independence Mall
In this patriotic ceremony, visitors will have the opportunity to take the same oath that naturalized citizens take. Presented in partnership with Eric Liu and Sworn-Again America.
History of the Hoagie Exhibit
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Grand Hall Overlook
Explore the story of one of Philadelphia's most beloved foods.
What America Eats: The History of the Hoagie Show
11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Grand Hall Overlook
Explore the history of the American hoagie and the many names "We the People" use for this sandwich.
Hoagies for Heroes Displays and Activities
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Grand Hall Overlook
Wawa celebrates their history of supporting our troops with special displays and activity tables, including letter writing stations, assembling a care package to send to the troops, dress-up and photo opportunities, and arts and crafts.
Finding the Founders Scholarly Talks and Walking Tours
Enjoy fascinating conversations with scholars at the National Constitution Center and neighboring sites throughout Historic Philadelphia. Featured Speakers and Tours include:
•George Bourreau (Walking Tour of Old City): 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Meet at the National Constitution Center Front Lawn, Arch Street and 5th Street
• Bob Skiba (Reminder Day and the LGBT Rights Movement): 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Meet at the National Constitution Center's Speaking Out for Equality exhibition
• Matthew Pinsker (13th amendment and Reconstruction): 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Meet at Congress Hall, Independence National Historical Park
• Sandy Lloyd (Women in the Revolutionarily Era): 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Betsy Ross House
• Jessica Choppin Roney (Constitutional Convention and the Founding Fathers): 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Independence Visitors Center
• Clemmie Harris (Civil Rights: the 1960s and Today): 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Meet at the African American Museum in Philadelphia
Independence Week Programming at the National Constitution Center July 2-5
Admission to the museum is FREE on July 4, courtesy of the John Templeton Foundation and includes:
The 1776 Experience – Revolutionary War Encampment
July 2 to July 4: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Front Lawn
Visit the Revolutionary War encampment on the National Constitution Center's front lawn for:
• Military Muster Demonstrations
• Kids' Drills
• Revolutionary War Medicine
• Blacksmith and Craftsman Shop
Com[promising] Future Theatrical Performance
July 2: 10:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
July 3 to July 4: 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
Written by a local Philadelphia high school senior, Com[promising] Future is part of the Founding Freedoms Essay and Playwriting Contest, generously sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation. This theatrical show is a four actor performance imagining how Mrs. Elizabeth Willing Powel and the citizens of Philadelphia reacted to Benjamin Franklin's advice that "you" the citizen are ultimately responsible for upholding the principles of the new government.
Independence Day Show
July 2 to July 4: 10:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 4:15 p.m.
July 5: 12:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.
Grand Hall Lobby
Dive into the early days of American Independence, from parades to protests, cannons to flag waving, and explosive words to fiery demonstrations. This show takes an in-depth look at this exciting celebration of freedom.
The Star-Spangled Banner: A History of Our National Anthem Show
July 2 to July 4: 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m.
July 5: 3:30 p.m.
Main Exhibition
Learn the story of Francis Scott Key, the Battle of Fort McHenry, and the flag that inspired our national anthem.
Flag Etiquette Workshop
July 2 to July 4: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
July 5: 1:00 p.m.
Front Lawn
Discover the history and symbolism of the American flag and learn about the proper ways to treat it.
Giant Flag Folding
July 2 to July 4: 12:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
July 2 to July 4: 12:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
July 5: 1:30 p.m.
Front Lawn
Help the museum's staff fold a giant 20x30 foot American flag on the front lawn.
National Constitution Center Flag Ceremonies
July 2 to July 5: 9:15 a.m., 4:45 p.m.
Front Lawn
Join the museum's staff each morning for a Flag Raising Ceremony, and then again in the evening as they reverently lower it.
Family Fun Activities
July 2 to July 5
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Make-and-Take Projects
At patriotic craft stations, children and their families can make Uncle Sam, Lady Liberty, and George Washington hats; star wands and wreaths; and crepe paper flags.
• Colonial Demonstrations
Colonial-era demonstrations including paper- and candle-making stations.
• Eighteenth Century Games
Try your hand at Hoop-and Stick, Graces, Nine Pin, and other popular games played by children during the Revolutionary period on the museum's front lawn.
• Thank-A-Vet Postcards
Take a moment to write letters of gratitude to the men and women who have served in the country's Armed Forces.
For a complete list of programs and events taking place in Historic Philadelphia during Independence Week, visit www.historicphillysummer.com.
About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia inspires active citizenship as the only place where people across America and around the world can come together to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. We serve as America's leading platform for constitutional educational and debate, fulfilling our Congressional charter "to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a non-partisan basis." As the Museum of We the People, we bring the United States Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America's Town Hall, we bring the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a center for Civic Education, we deliver the best educational programs and online resources that inspire, excite, and engage citizens about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
About Wawa, Inc.
Wawa, Inc., a privately held company, began in 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey. Toward the end of the 19th Century, owner George Wood took an interest in dairy farming and the family began a small processing plant in Wawa, PA in 1902. The milk business was a huge success, due to its quality, cleanliness and "certified" process. As home delivery of milk declined in the early 1960's, Grahame Wood, George's grandson, opened the first Wawa Food Market in 1964 as an outlet for dairy products. Today, Wawa is your all day, every day stop for fresh, built-to-order foods, beverages, coffee, fuel services, and surcharge-free ATM's. A chain of over 690 conveniences retail stores (over 435 offering gasoline), Wawa stores are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Florida. The stores offer a large fresh food service selection, including Wawa brands such as built-to-order hoagies, freshly-brewed coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, built-to-order Specialty Beverages, and an assortment of soups, sides and snacks.