National Constitution Center Opens Exhibit on Pennsylvania’s Role in Shaping American Democracy

A new exhibit at the National Constitution Center will explore how Pennsylvania played a role in shaping American democracy.

“Pennsylvania’s Founding: How a City and a Colony Shaped America’s Civic DNA” will be on view to the public Sept. 30 through Jan. 3, 2027. Highlights of the collection include a 1556 Magna Carta once owned by Benjamin Franklin, William Penn’s 1687 edition, and the original 1681 Pennsylvania Charter with the seal of King Charles II.

Additional significant documents on display include Penn’s 1701 Charter of Privileges, a 1696 early Quaker anti-slavery protest, a rare 1776 printing of Pennsylvania’s first constitution, plus historic maps and a 1718 painting of Philadelphia — the oldest surviving painting of a North American city.

The exhibit addresses Penn’s ideals — religious tolerance, orderly governance, and Indigenous relations — while also acknowledging colonial realities such as slavery and land disputes.

“The National Constitution Center is honored to host this important experience, which offers visitors rare opportunities to see the documents and artifacts that shaped Pennsylvania’s distinctive civic traditions and helped lay the groundwork for American constitutional democracy,” said Vince Stango, interim president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, in a statement shared with Metro Philadelphia.

A public town hall event, “The Holy Experiment: Religious Liberty, Pennsylvania, and the Making of America,” will take place Sept. 29 to mark the exhibit’s opening.

According to Metro Philadelphia, Drexel University collaborated with the Center on the exhibit, contributing interactive projects and educational programs developed with Drexel students. In fact, two Drexel-developed interactive projects — a timeline of William Penn and a map-based exploration called Pennsylvania Mapped — are integrated into the experience.

Educational programming will feature gallery talks, artifact spotlights, exhibit guides, live virtual tours, and events tied to Native American Heritage Month and Pennsylvania Ratification Day.

To learn more information on “Pennsylvania’s Founding: How a City and a Colony Shaped America’s Civic DNA” opening at the National Constitution Center at 525 Arch St., visit constitutioncenter.org.