February marks African American History Month and this year we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment, which declared that the right to vote could not be denied based on race. Join us at the Center in February as we honor this milestone all month long with special educational programs and performances and free admission on February 17. |
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FOURTEEN: A Theatrical Performance
Monday – Friday: Now – March 27
Free with general admission
Returning this year, visitors can experience FOURTEEN, a moving theatrical performance that sheds light on the Reconstruction era and the ratification of the 14th Amendment. Through dramatic interpretation of original texts, such as Frederick Douglass’s open letter “To My Old Master,” the 35-minute performance brings to life the leaders, influential figures, and everyday Americans who were central to the era.
Please check the daily program guide upon arrival for that day’s show times.
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This production has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. |
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Presidents Day Weekend
Saturday, February 15 – Monday, February 17
General admission Saturday and Sunday
Free admission on Monday
Celebrate Presidents Day Weekend at the Center with a variety of special presidential-themed programs and activities! Visitors will learn about the role of the president and what it takes to be commander in chief while participating in entertaining, educational programs, including presidential trivia where visitors can test their knowledge of America’s 45 presidents; the Center’s annual kids presidential costume contest; and a voting booth activity, where visitors can step inside an actual voting booth to cast a vote for their favorite president.
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Please note, the Center will have extended hours on Sunday, February 16 from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Joint Ticket with the African American Museum in Philadelphia
Celebrate African American History Month by experiencing stories of freedom, equality, and the richness of “We the People,” told through the African American Museum in Philadelphia and the National Constitution Center. Visitors can now explore two Arch Street staples with a single ticket that includes admission to both institutions for a discounted price.
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Joint tickets are now available online or in person at both museums. Adult joint tickets are available for $24, youth tickets for $18. |
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Stay Tuned for the announcement of our spring/summer season of America's Town Hall, which will begin in March. Until then, catch up on any programs you may have missed by visiting the media library in the new and enhanced Interactive Constitution.
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Resources for African American History Month
Interactive Constitution
Monday, February 3, marked the 150th Anniversary of the 15th Amendment. Explore the 15th Amendment on the Center's Interactive Constitution, which includes in-depth essays written by top scholars, as well as timely podcasts, blog posts, and live programs featuring experts across the legal and philosophical spectrum.
The Drafting Table
New to the upgraded and expanded Interactive Constitution, the Drafting Table allows users to explore early drafts and major proposals behind each provision of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. Dive in to discover the drafting process that led to the final text of the 15th Amendment. |
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Recent highlights of the National Constitution Center in the news:
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Recently on We the People podcast:
Enjoying our We the People podcast? Share your review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you download your podcasts!
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Members of the National Constitution Center provide significant support for the Center’s education programs and enjoy exclusive access to behind-the-scenes programs and tours! This month, we are offering an in-depth look at our new exhibit, Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality, including a guided tour led by museum educators and an evening performance of FOURTEEN for members of the 1787 annual giving society.
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Members-Only Guided Tour of Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality
Thursday, February 6, at 11 a.m.
Experience a Members-only guided tour of Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality. A museum educator will guide you through the exhibit featuring key figures central to the era—from Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass to John Bingham and Harriet Tubman—and discuss how the equality promised in the Declaration of Independence was finally inscribed in the Constitution by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.
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This tour will feature a live in-gallery performance! |
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1787 Society Program and Reception
FOURTEEN Performance and Discussion
Thursday, February 20, at 6:30 p.m.
Members of the National Constitution Center’s 1787 Society are invited to an exclusive showing of FOURTEEN: A Theatrical Performance. A discussion and reception with the actors and members of the production’s creative team—including Nora Quinn, director of theatre programs for the Center, and Thavolia Glymph, professor of history and law at Duke University and a scholarly advisor on the project—will follow the performance.
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