American History for Students

From the Native Americans who made the Philadelphia region their home, to the British, German and Dutch settlers who arrived in the 1600s, to the events leading up to the American Revolution, Philadelphia is America's most historic city.

Battleship New Jersey Memorial & Museum
Tour the Navy’s most decorated warship and visit simulated operations areas spanning five deck levels.

Betsy Ross House
Visit the house of Betsy Ross – the Philadelphia patriot believed to have made the first American flag – and see how working-class people lived in Colonial Philadelphia. 

Brandywine Battlefield
This historic site reproduces the historic Revolutionary War conflict between General George Washington and the British General Sir William Howe. Gift shops and infantry demonstrations are also popular attractions.

Christ Church and Burial Ground
Sit in the same pews where George Washington, Betsy Ross, and Benjamin Franklin worshipped and visit the burial ground containing the graves of Franklin and other famous Revolutionary War leaders.

The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia
See more than 20 sites on a 75-minute walking adventure through Historic Philadelphia. Group tours year round.

Elfreth’s Alley
Walk down the oldest continuously occupied residential street in the nation and a National Historic Landmark.

Fireman's Hall Museum
Located in a restored firehouse, the Fireman's Hall Museum features all the history and heroic moments of firefighting in Philadelphia. Visitors can peruse the museum's various exhibits and attend its public programs.

Fort Mifflin on the Delaware
Visit the site of the greatest bombardment of the American Revolution and the oldest fortification in continuous use in the United States, from 1771-1954.

Franklin Court
Follow in the footsteps of Franklin and see the “Ghost House” depicting Franklin’s home; an underground museum with displays, including Franklin’s inventions and interactive exhibits; a real working colonial-era print shop; and the B. Free Franklin Post Office, the first in the U.S. and founded by Franklin. 

Historic Houses of Germantown
See where the Battle of Germantown was fought during the American Revolution, where the first American edition of the Bible was published, and more.

Independence National Historical Park
Tour “America’s most historic square mile” including, the Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall, Second Bank of the United States, Congress Hall, Carpenters’ Hall and more.

Independence Seaport Museum
Explore the region’s maritime heritage with interactive exhibits, magnificent ship models and more than 14,000 artifacts. Visit Admiral Dewey’s 1892 cruiser Olympia and the World War II submarine, Becuna.

Lights of Liberty Show
Experience the drama of the American Revolution as it happened, where it happened. Five-story projections on historic buildings and wireless headsets equipped with 3-D sound bring Colonial Philadelphia to life.

National Constitution Center
Learn about the Constitution of the United States at the only museum dedicated to the Constitution; featuring more than 100 interactive, multimedia exhibits and “Signers Hall,” with life-size statues of the signers of the Constitution.

National Liberty Museum
Celebrate American heroes and the ideals of freedom at this museum honoring more than 1,000 outstanding individuals of all ethnic backgrounds.

Once Upon A Nation
The sights and sounds of Colonial Philadelphia come alive through a cast of storytellers who take to the streets sharing Philadelphia’s rich past through interesting tales.

Valley Forge National Historical Park
Visit this historic site and recreation area where General George Washington and his troops survived the famed encampment of 1777-78. 

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Visit this 500-acre site and recreational area where General George Washington led his troops across the Delaware River for a pivotal battle.

Winterthur Museum and Country Estates
Experience first-hand the era of the early 20th century at the stunning grounds of the Winterthur Museum and Country Estates, historic home of Henry Francis du Pont, an avid antique enthusiast and horticulturalist.