Visitors are first given a 17-minute civics lesson via the multimedia stage show Freedom Rising, narrated by a live actor and performed in the round. Visitors continue through the center exploring such exhibits as the black robe of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, and a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation. An always popular attraction is the Signer’s Hall, a room full of 42 life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers, while the big-ticket draw is the original copy of the first public printing of the Constitution. There are 24 other copies of this printing around the world, but only a few are on public display.
Visits to the National Constitution Center are often included on history themed walking tours of Philadelphia, offering a great way of tying in the signing of the Constitution to other historic events. Admission is included in many Philadelphia sightseeing passes, which lets you visit multiple attractions while saving on admission fees.