Coming Soon to the Museum
The National Constitution Center will open two new galleries on America’s founding and the separation of powers in time for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
Thanks to a generous $15 million gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, the largest single gift in the organization’s history, the National Constitution Center will open a new gallery on America’s founding in February 2026, as well as a new gallery on the separation of powers in May 2026.
As part of this historic gift, Griffin will lend his copy of the U.S. Constitution—one of the 14 known original, official printed copies—as well as a rare first printing of constitutional amendments being debated by Congress that would become our Bill of Rights, to be displayed just steps from where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed. These rare documents will be on display throughout 2026 during the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations that will attract millions of global visitors to Philadelphia.
These galleries are part of the first major renovation of the main exhibit space, which currently displays The Story of We the People, since the National Constitution Center’s opening in 2003. This renovation began in 2023 with the debut of the new gallery, The First Amendment.
New Galleries Coming 2026
America's Founding Gallery
Featuring a rare copy of the U.S. Constitution—one of 14 known original, official printed copies, and from which all subsequent printings of the final text of the Constitution originate—this gallery will tell the story of America’s founding principles, exploring how we declared independence, fought a revolution, learned from early challenges, and ultimately developed a new form of government.
Separation of Powers Gallery
A new exhibit about the separation of powers will explore how the Constitution defines roles and balances power between the three branches of government and between the federal government and the states.
Visit the Museum
With construction beginning in spring 2025, The Story of We the People and Constituting Liberty will permanently close, and the First Amendment gallery will temporarily close. Visitors will still have access to the live Freedom Rising performance and our exhibit galleries on the Civil War and Reconstruction and the 19th Amendment.
While it will be open for most of the construction, Signers' Hall will temporarily close late summer 2025.
Our museum educators will also engage visitors daily with live programs including trivia games, artifact spotlights, hands-on craft activities, and more. Visit our Daily Programs page to learn more.
The National Constitution Center will offer discounted admission of $15 for adults (regularly $19) and $11 for youth (regularly $15) along with special group rates.
| Ticket Type | *Discounted Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $15 |
| Youth | $11 |
| Senior | $11 |
| Student | $11 |
| Veteran | $11 |
| Active and Retired Military | Free |
For information about bringing groups of 12 or more to the National Constitution Center, contact the Group Sales team at [email protected] or visit our Group Sales page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Construction on the new galleries will last about a year, beginning early June 2025 and going through early May 2026.
The Story of We the People exhibit and Constituting Liberty exhibit will both close permanently in June 2025.
The First Amendment exhibit will temporarily close in June 2025 and will reopen when major construction concludes.
Signers’ Hall will temporarily close in late summer 2025.
The National Constitution Center will offer discounted admission of $15 for adults (regularly $19) and $11 for youth (regularly $15) along with special group rates.
Visitors will still have access to the live Freedom Rising performance, the iconic Signers’ Hall (temporarily closed late summer 2025), our exhibit galleries on the Civil War and Reconstruction and the 19th Amendment, as well as American Treasures.
There will also be additional programming for visitors throughout the museum.
Discounted admission will be automatically applied at checkout for all tickets purchased beginning June 4, 2025. If you have already purchased museum tickets for this period, please contact [email protected] to receive a refund equal to the discounted admission amount.
The exhibit on America’s founding will open in February 2026 and the exhibit on separation of powers will open in May 2026.
Consistent with our history and mission, the National Constitution Center will play a central role in the nation’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, and in preparing the nation for the Constitution’s 250th anniversary in 2037.
Stay tuned for more information on how we are:
- developing and disseminating new legacy educational products including a new Interactive Declaration of Independence;
- modeling civil dialogue through convenings across America; and
- leading the way for a high visibility, high impact commemoration in Philadelphia, the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
