National Constitution Center

National Constitution Center
source
Name	National Constitution Center
Location	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Type	Constitutional law and American history

Contents

National Constitution Center. The National Constitution Center is a museum and educational institution dedicated to the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, near the Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed. The center was established by an Act of Congress and is affiliated with the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the Supreme Court of the United States. The center's mission is to educate the public about the United States Constitution and its significance, as well as to promote civic engagement and democracy, in partnership with organizations such as the American Bar Association, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the Center for Civic Education.

History

The National Constitution Center was established in 1988 by Jeb Bush, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush, with the support of Ronald Reagan and Congress. The center's founding was also supported by Chief Justice of the United States Warren E. Burger and Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. The center opened on July 4, 2003, with a ceremony attended by President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Chief Justice William Rehnquist. The center has since become a leading institution for the study and promotion of the United States Constitution, working with scholars such as Akhil Reed Amar and Laurence Tribe, and partnering with organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the Federalist Society, and the National Constitution Center's We the People program.

The National Constitution Center features interactive exhibitions and programs that explore the history and significance of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights, including the Signing of the United States Constitution and the Ratification of the United States Constitution. The center's exhibitions include artifacts such as the Dunlap broadside, one of the first printed copies of the United States Constitution, and the George Washington Inaugural Address. The center also offers educational programs for students and teachers, including the We the People program, which is supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the United States Department of Education. The center has also partnered with the Smithsonian Institution, the National Museum of American History, and the Library of Congress to develop exhibitions and programs, and has worked with scholars such as Gordon Wood and Doris Kearns Goodwin.

The National Constitution Center is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on a site adjacent to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, near the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation. The center's building was designed by Polshek Partnership Architects and Ralph Appelbaum Associates, and features a glass and steel design that reflects the democratic values of the United States Constitution. The center's location allows visitors to explore the historic sites of Philadelphia, including the Betsy Ross House and the Elfreth's Alley, and to visit nearby institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania and the Drexel University.

The National Constitution Center is governed by a board of trustees that includes leaders from the fields of law, education, and philanthropy, such as David McCullough and Sandra Day O'Connor. The center is funded by a combination of public and private sources, including the National Endowment for the Humanities, the United States Department of Education, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The center has also received support from corporate sponsors such as Microsoft and Google, and from individual donors such as Michael Bloomberg and George Soros. The center's funding model is similar to that of other museums and educational institutions, such as the Smithsonian Institution and the New York Public Library.

The National Constitution Center plays a significant role in promoting civic engagement and democracy in the United States, in partnership with organizations such as the League of Women Voters and the National Association of Secretaries of State. The center's exhibitions and programs have been visited by millions of people, including students, teachers, and civic leaders, and have been recognized with awards such as the National Medal for Museum and Library Service and the American Institute of Architects Honor Award. The center has also been involved in public policy debates and civic education initiatives, working with scholars such as Cass Sunstein and Martha Nussbaum, and partnering with organizations such as the American Enterprise Institute and the Brookings Institution. The center's impact has been recognized by leaders such as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and has been featured in media outlets such as the New York Times and the Washington Post. Category:National Constitution Center