Independence Hall, originally the Pennsylvania State House, served as the principal meeting place of the Second Continental Congress. It is the site where the Declaration of Independence was debated and adopted in 1776, and where the United States Constitution was drafted and signed in 1787.
Designed by Edmund Woolley and Andrew Hamilton, the building is a prime example of Georgian architecture. Its Assembly Room remains the most historically significant space, having hosted the foundational debates that defined the American political system. The structure is now the centerpiece of Independence National Historical Park.
Key Facts
- Materials
- Red brick, Marble, Wood
- Civilization
- American
- Accessibility
- Fully accessible with elevator access to the second floor
- Date(s)
- 1732-1753
- Condition
- Well-preserved, managed by the National Park Service
- Original Function
- Pennsylvania State House
- Key Figures
- George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison
Construction and Colonial Use
1732-1753The building was commissioned by the Pennsylvania Colonial Assembly to serve as the provincial state house. Construction began in 1732 under the supervision of Andrew Hamilton and master builder Edmund Woolley, with the tower and steeple completed by 1753.
Revolutionary Era
1775-1783The Assembly Room served as the meeting place for the Second Continental Congress. It was here that the delegates signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and later organized the Continental Army under the command of George Washington.
Constitutional Convention
1787During the summer of 1787, delegates from twelve states gathered in the Assembly Room to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The resulting United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, establishing the framework for the federal government.
Preservation and Modern Status
19th century - presentFollowing the relocation of the state capital, the building faced potential demolition but was purchased by the City of Philadelphia in 1816. It was designated a National Historical Park in 1948 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.