Celebrate Constitution Day with Family-Friendly “State Constitutions Palooza," Sept. 17 – 18

Every Visitor Will Receive a Free Pocket-Sized U.S. Constitution

Naturalization Ceremony on Sept. 15 and “Civics on Tap” Trivia on Sept. 17

State constitutions have been in the news lately, but it’s not the first time they’ve been center stage. Since the nation’s founding, state constitutions have been a testing ground for democracy, featuring radical experimentation, careful conservatism, and everything in between. But with a federal constitution – which marks its 235th anniversary on Constitution Day, September 17 – why do states need their own in the first place?

Explore this question and more at the Museum of the American Revolution during State Constitutions Palooza Weekend on Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18, 2022, from 10am – 5pm. Activities are included with regular Museum admission (walking tour is an additional charge). This event is made possible by support from the Jack Miller Center for Teaching America’s Founding Principles and History.

The weekend kicks off with a naturalization ceremony on Thursday and continues with interactive, family-friendly activities that delve into the curious, creative, and challenging aspects of these fascinating documents. Through trivia stations, craft activities, discovery carts, pop-up talks and more, visitors will discover how state constitutions were adopted, why they varied from state to state, and how they continue to impact our lives today.

Highlights of State Constitutions Palooza Weekend

• USCIS Naturalization Ceremony
  Thursday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m.
  Did you know that September 17 also marks Citizenship Day, in addition to Constitution Day? Start your weekend early on Thursday, September 15, and welcome dozens of new American citizens from across the globe during a naturalization ceremony hosted by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Museum's Liberty Hall. The ceremony is open to the public.
• A Revolutionary Philadelphia Walking Tour
  Saturday and Sunday at 2pm
  $28 for non-members (includes Museum admission), FREE for members
  Philadelphia was at the heart of constitutional conversations – for Pennsylvania and the nation. Join a Museum educator to explore the streets of Revolutionary Philadelphia, stopping outside iconic sites where commoners and congressmen debated and decided on the ideas that would shape the state and federal constitutions. This one-hour guided tour covers about a mile and features sites such as Carpenters’ Hall, City Tavern, and Independence Hall. Make sure to leave time before or after your tour to participate in the rest of State Constitutions Palooza! Tickets can be reserved here.
• Civics on Tap
  Cross Keys Café | Saturday, Sept. 17, 5-8 p.m.
  Civics on Tap is a monthly hands-on lesson in participatory democracy - with beer! Join us for this special return of a fun Philadelphia tradition as your fearless host Grace Palladino leads us in learning and laughing about state constitutions. Get a lightning-fast intro to the highs and lows of constitution-making, then get your team ready for three rounds of State Constitutional Quizzo! Drinks and refreshments will be sold by Cross Keys Café. 
• Trivia and Activity Stations
  Saturday and Sunday from 11 am – 3pm
  How much do you know about state constitutions, past and present, and their relationship to the U.S. Constitution? Come spin the Trivia Wheel and see if you can win a prize! Plus, create your own constitution on our Velcro constitution board, color in your own “Flat Judge” from the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, try on 1770s and 1790s clothing in our hands-on discovery center, and more at activity stations throughout the Museum!
• Giveaway: Free Pocket-Sized U.S. Constitution
  Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  “We the people …” Experimentation in Revolutionary-era state constitutions directly influenced the ideas of the U.S. Constitution. Carry the results of those experiments right in your pocket, with a perfectly portable U.S. Constitution, free for all guests during State Constitutions Palooza Weekend, courtesy of the Jack Miller Center.
• Discovery Cart: Elizabeth Freeman
  Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  The 1780 Massachusetts Constitution didn’t outlaw slavery, but it did help enslaved woman Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman to gain her freedom. Join a Museum educator at our Freeman-focused discovery cart to handle replica artifacts that help to tell this powerful story of courage, conviction, and the law.
• Visit from State Representative Mary Isaacson
  Onsite | Saturday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m.
  Ever wonder what it's like to be a state representative and work with a state constitution every day? Pennsylvania State Representative Mary Isaacson of the 175th Legislative District, which includes the Museum, will visit to share her experiences with the Pennsylvania state constitution and answer visitor questions. 
• Constitution-Themed Selfie Station
  Thursday – Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  Snap a photo at a constitution-themed selfie station in the Museum’s atrium and share it on social media using #HowRevolutionary. Be sure to tag @AmRevMuseum on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
• Special Edition Revolution Chocolate Bars
  Cross Keys Café | Daily from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  Need a sweet treat to get you through your day? Visit the Museum’s Cross Keys Café to purchase a special Revolution-themed chocolate bar, produced by Best of Philly award-winning local chocolatiers Good Good Chocolates. These special treats will make their debut at State Constitutions Palooza and will only be available at the Cross Keys Café.

All State Constitutions Palooza Weekend activities are included with regular Museum admission, unless otherwise noted. Tickets can be purchased at www.amrevmuseum.org, by calling 215.253.6731, or at the front desk. Kids 5 and under are free. All tickets are valid for two consecutive days. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with enhanced health and safety protocols.

State Constitutions Palooza Weekend is sponsored by the Jack Miller Center for Teaching America’s Founding Principles and History.

About Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.