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Independence Seaport Museum

Independence Seaport Museum Discovering Philadelphia's river of history and world of connections.
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Operating as usual

Happy International Museum Day! 🎊🎉Join us as we celebrate all the museums and staff who are dedicated to inspiring and e...
05/18/2023

Happy International Museum Day! 🎊🎉Join us as we celebrate all the museums and staff who are dedicated to inspiring and educating visitors!

Happy Mother’s Day!! 💐 💕What is perhaps the most well-known sailor tattoo in popular culture is the classic “Mom” tattoo...
05/14/2023

Happy Mother’s Day!! 💐 💕

What is perhaps the most well-known sailor tattoo in popular culture is the classic “Mom” tattoo. If you remember back to our Valentine’s Day post, sailors often got tattoos of images to remind them of special ladies back at home… and who could be more special than mom? 🥹💗😍

Paddle Penns Landing is back starting Saturday, May 27th for Memorial Day Weekend! We will be open on Fridays from 3 PM ...
05/12/2023

Paddle Penns Landing is back starting Saturday, May 27th for Memorial Day Weekend! We will be open on Fridays from 3 PM - dusk and Saturdays/Sundays from 12 PM - dusk. 🦢🤩✨

We hope to sea you soon! 😎🌊

What better way to spend a sunny day than on the waterfront? You can tour our two historic ships right on , and with our...
05/11/2023

What better way to spend a sunny day than on the waterfront? You can tour our two historic ships right on , and with our new visitor's packages, there are plenty of options for guided and non-guided tours to choose from! ⚓🛳

In case you didn't know, it's National Travel & Tourism Week, so it's the perfect time to plan your next visit to the Seaport! 🌊🌊

Click the link below to book your tickets!
https://tickets.phillyseaport.org/webstore/shop/ViewItems.aspx?CG=CONSUMER&C=GA

It's National Tourism and Travel Week so ISM is pleased to present to you all a two-part series exploring Philadelphians...
05/10/2023
Philadelphians on Vacation Pt 1

It's National Tourism and Travel Week so ISM is pleased to present to you all a two-part series exploring Philadelphians on Vacation! In this episode, Sarah discusses what it was like for the Hastings family, and Philadelphians in general, to travel back in the day while doing a deep dive into their family's very own collection!

Watch the full episode below!

It's National Tourism and Travel Week so ISM is pleased to present to you all a two-part series exploring Philadelphians on Vacation! In this episode, Sarah ...

05/09/2023
Admissons & Hours Of Operation – Independence Seaport Museum

May is here and so are our new ticket packages! Explore the various options for a catered visit on our website and we hope to see you soon! ⚓🛳🌊

Click on the link below to view our new packages and what they offer!

Discover Philadelphia’s river of history and world of connection with a visit to the Independence Seaport Museum. Keep scrolling to view our hours of operation, ticket packages, special offers, accessibility, and more.

Admirals don't just command ships, they command respect! Find out if they get their own guns in our latest  video. 🛳⚓🌊Co...
05/08/2023
The Admiral Gets His Own Gun?

Admirals don't just command ships, they command respect! Find out if they get their own guns in our latest video. 🛳⚓🌊

Come by for a tour to see these guns aboard Cruiser OLYMPIA in person any day of the week! For more info, check out the link in our bio.

On this episode of Ask Me Anything Cruiser OLYMPIA, we take a look at why there are guns everywhere and the concept of shared or multi-use spaces aboard the ...

Welcome to National Travel and Tourism Week! We are excited to share fun travel content for you every day of this week! ...
05/07/2023

Welcome to National Travel and Tourism Week! We are excited to share fun travel content for you every day of this week! ✈️🛳🚟

Where are you planning to travel this year? Comment down below!

05/05/2023

Have you ever wondered how to install a centerboard and rudder? Thanks to our amazing Boat Shop crew, we get to see the process being done to the CORINTHIAN! 🛥️

05/04/2023

POV: You're trying to visit Becuna during a public day in Lisbon, when you notice the Navy has enlisted the help of extra shipboard security.

05/04/2023

Happy Star Wars Day! Here's a photograph of Olympia outpacing a squadron of TIE Fighters during her speed trials.

Did you know that Governor Tarkin's famous "You may fire when ready" line from A New Hope was inspired by George Dewey's "You may fire when ready, Gridley" during the Battle of Manila Bay?

It's May and applications have been rolling in for the Seaport Summer Camp but don't worry. There is still plenty of tim...
05/03/2023

It's May and applications have been rolling in for the Seaport Summer Camp but don't worry. There is still plenty of time to register! Registration ends the Tuesday before your desired week of camp (ex., if you want to register your child for June 26th, the deadline will be June 20th). We can't wait to introduce all of this year's campers to everything the waterfront has to offer! 🤩🌊⚓️

Register using the link below!
https://tickets.phillyseaport.org/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?CG=PROGRAM&C=camp

Happy ! Today, we celebrate and honor the hard work and dedication of the incredible teachers who have gone above and be...
05/02/2023

Happy ! Today, we celebrate and honor the hard work and dedication of the incredible teachers who have gone above and beyond to educate and inspire us. Thank you for your immense efforts in shaping the minds of the future generation!

At Independence Seaport Museum, we are grateful to partner with educators to bring history to life and make learning fun for our visitors. We could not do what we do without you!

04/30/2023
www.youtube.com

That's right! Another episode of the Seaport Vault is out and the theme is, "DEWEY MANIA!" This episode will take you on the journey of who Admiral George Dewey is and how he was an essential part of the Battle of Manila Bay. Not only that, we will be diving into how his heroic actions made him a national hero, cultural icon, and the face of many various kinds of souvenirs!

Watch now with the link!

We would like to extend our gratitude toeveryone who joined us for the opening of the "At TheWater's Edge: Working and l...
04/28/2023

We would like to extend our gratitude to
everyone who joined us for the opening of the "At The
Water's Edge: Working and living along the Delaware
River" exhibit. Your presence made the event a huge
success, and we are truly grateful for your support. If
you haven't already, join us to explore the rich history
and culture that the new exhibit has to offer!

It’s  and that means you get a sneak peak into the library in our J. Welles Research Center! Here are some fun facts I b...
04/27/2023

It’s and that means you get a sneak peak into the library in our J. Welles Research Center!

Here are some fun facts I bet you didn’t know about our library!

1. The biggest book we have in our collection is 27 inches long and is called “The Modern System of Naval Architecture” which was made for the queen!
2. The smallest book we have in our collection is only 5 inches long and is called “Reef Points 1941-1942” from the United States Naval Academy!
3. Our library stacks - just like our archival ones - are mobile, compacting shelving units which can be moved my turning the hand crank!

In continuation of , we'd like to thank the Philadelphia Ship Model Society for its support and volunteerism over the ye...
04/26/2023

In continuation of , we'd like to thank the Philadelphia Ship Model Society for its support and volunteerism over the years. Whether coming in for an event or a routine Saturday, we appreciate all of their work in engaging our visitors.

If you do happen to visit us on a Saturday, be on the lookout for Joe Jordan and Mike Weaver in the space by the Museum Store!

Do you think Submarine BECUNA ever had pets or mascots? Find out on this month's installment of AMA BECUNA below!
04/24/2023
Did Becuna Ever Have A Pet or Mascot?

Do you think Submarine BECUNA ever had pets or mascots? Find out on this month's installment of AMA BECUNA below!

On this episode of Ask Me Anything Submarine BECUNA, we talk about some of the pets and animals that served aboard BECUNA.Do you have questions about BECUNA ...

Happy , everyone! 🌍🌿🌊 Come celebrate with us today at the Independence Seaport Museum, where we're taking steps towards ...
04/22/2023

Happy , everyone! 🌍🌿🌊 Come celebrate with us today at the Independence Seaport Museum, where we're taking steps towards a more sustainable future. Explore our River Alive! exhibit and learn about the history of the Delaware River ecosystem and much more. Let's continue to find ways to protect and preserve our planet for generations to come!

 that April is ? We want to take this opportunity to celebrate one of our amazing volunteers! H. John Thompson is an art...
04/20/2023

that April is ? We want to take this opportunity to celebrate one of our amazing volunteers!

H. John Thompson is an art professor at Penn State Abington who has been volunteering in our Boat Shop since 2018. With a background in carpentry, woodworking, sculpture, and other visual arts, he deeply values the opportunity to study the craft of wooden boatbuilding from Independence Seaport Museum shipwrights Dave Dormond and Jeff Huffenberger while contributing to boat restorations and builds like the Corinthian Sloop project. The Boat Shop is John's favorite place in Philadelphia!

We appreciate you, John!

We would like to thank the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (Pennsylvania Trails of History) for their rece...
04/19/2023

We would like to thank the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (Pennsylvania Trails of History) for their recent support of the Independence Seaport Museum. Their support allows us to efficiently and effectively serve and educate our community about Philadelphia’s amazing waterfront and what it encompasses. From running summer programming to opening new exhibits, everything we do highlights how the river is truly alive!

Photos from En Route Marketing's post
04/19/2023

Photos from En Route Marketing's post

We are so excited to host this screening in coordination with Upstream Alliance!Search for the Cooper: A River Hidden in...
04/16/2023

We are so excited to host this screening in coordination with Upstream Alliance!

Search for the Cooper: A River Hidden in Plain View, is an award-winning film that chronicles the expedition taken by four Camden youths in June 2022 to unlock the hidden beauty and find the source of the Cooper River in Camden. The film will be screened on the 4th-floor (Independence Seaport Museum) on Thursday, April 20th. The screening is at 6:30pm, followed by a Rally for the Delaware River with conservation leaders and elected officials.

This is a call to action on this eve of Earth Day to fulfill the promise of the Clean Water Act, 51 years ago, for a fishable and swimmable Delaware River."

Happy ! To celebrate, we wanted to showcase a piece from our new exhibit! This piece is called "Schuylkill, water, works...
04/15/2023

Happy ! To celebrate, we wanted to showcase a piece from our new exhibit! This piece is called "Schuylkill, water, works, Philadelphia" and speaks about the history of America's first municipal water system. This oil on canvas painting from 1840 presents the Fairmount Water Works, which resembles an industrial Greek acropolis. For a closer look at the piece, come any day between 10 am - 5pm!

 that baseball could be played at sea? Learn more about how the crew of Cruiser OLYMPIA spent their pastime back in the ...
04/15/2023
Seaport Vault | Ep. 2 Pastimes on Olympia

that baseball could be played at sea? Learn more about how the crew of Cruiser OLYMPIA spent their pastime back in the day on this month's episode of the Seaport Vault!

Although a little late for the Philadelphia Phillies' home opener, we wish them good luck for this season!

We are back with episode two of the Seaport Vault! Join Sarah as she explores the many pastimes of the OLYMPIA crew members while aboard the actual ship they...

Tonight was the night of our opening reception of "At the Water's Edge: Working and living along the Delaware River's op...
04/13/2023

Tonight was the night of our opening reception of "At the Water's Edge: Working and living along the Delaware River's opening!" ISM is thrilled to be able to explore the history of not only Philadelphia but also of the waterfront. Come and discover why Philadelphia starts here!

Looking for some pre-visit reading to prepare for "At the Water's Edge: Working and living along the Delaware River" (op...
04/13/2023
The Camden shipbuilding company that created the nation’s first federally funded planned community

Looking for some pre-visit reading to prepare for "At the Water's Edge: Working and living along the Delaware River" (opening tomorrow, FYI😀)? Check out this recent article from Billy Penn, which explores the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, a topic we dive into in the new exhibit.

One of the most confusingly named companies in the history of South Jersey was also one of the most important. Called the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, it was massive enough […]

The Independence Seaport Museum believes in educating future generations about the impact that the Delaware River has in...
04/11/2023

The Independence Seaport Museum believes in educating future generations about the impact that the Delaware River has in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. As such, we strive to build and run programs that will spark younger visitors’ curiosity for history as well as the environment. ISM would like to give special thanks to the WW Smith Charitable Trust for their support of these programs. With their help, students can become proactive learners and explorers of the waterfront in practical and creative ways.

04/11/2023

Happy National Submarine Day from Becuna and the museum crew!

On this month's AMA episode, we will be learning about the ventilation system on OLYMPIA! 🌊
04/10/2023
What are Ventilators?

On this month's AMA episode, we will be learning about the ventilation system on OLYMPIA! 🌊

On this episode of Ask Me Anything Cruiser OLYMPIA, we take a look at those strange, trumpet-shaped things scattered across the ship's top deck.If you have q...

04/07/2023

We are ONE WEEK away from the opening of our new exhibit, At the Water's Edge: Working and living along the Delaware River! We are so excited to see you at the opening on April 14th!

We would like to give an immense thank you to the Lindback Foundation for supporting our children’s programs here at the...
04/04/2023

We would like to give an immense thank you to the Lindback Foundation for supporting our children’s programs here at the Independence Seaport Museum. Because of their generous support, we are able to continuously improve and curate new experiences for our youngest visitors that teach them about the rich history of Philadelphia’s waterways.

04/01/2023
Independence Seaport Museum :: Ticket Selection

It's not too late to sign up for this month's Metal Casting class! This class will take place on April 15th, so we'll would love to see you there!

Use the link below to sign up!

Learn the traditional methods of how to build a wooden boat in Boatbuilding 101. The area's finest teaching craftspeople will show you the skills of lofting, mold making, steam bending, stem carving, planking techniques, and more, equipping each student with the knowledge and ability to build a wood...

We are officially TWO WEEKS away from unveiling our new exhibit, At the Water's Edge: Working and living along the Delaw...
03/31/2023

We are officially TWO WEEKS away from unveiling our new exhibit, At the Water's Edge: Working and living along the Delaware River! So, mark your calendars to join us on April 14, when it opens to the public. Get ready to explore the history of the city and the waterfront, learn about those who lived and worked along the Delaware River, and more! 🖼🎉

Even though  is coming to an end, ISM continues to celebrate women through supporting women owned businesses in our Muse...
03/29/2023

Even though is coming to an end, ISM continues to celebrate women through supporting women owned businesses in our Museum Store! Here are two women owned businesses you can support the next time you visit!

Here are their websites in case you miss it in store!
stitchprism.com
poppytreffy.co.uk

Let's take a look into how the torpedo tubes of BECUNA function on this month's AMA BECUNA!
03/27/2023
How Do The Torpedo Tubes Work?

Let's take a look into how the torpedo tubes of BECUNA function on this month's AMA BECUNA!

On this episode of Ask Me Anything Submarine BECUNA, we take a look at Becuna's torpedo tubes and the basics of how they function.Do you have questions about...

Address

211 S Columbus Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA
19106

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(215) 413-8655

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Independence Seaport Museum

Independence Seaport Museum is the premier, year-round, family-friendly destination on the Penn’s Landing waterfront. Discover the history of the US Navy as you climb aboard life-sized model Schooner Diligence and National Historic Landmark ships, Cruiser Olympia and Submarine Becuna. Enjoy the Delaware River with our seasonal boat rentals. Experience live demonstrations in our boatbuilding workshop and Citizen Science Lab. Explore one of the largest maritime art and artifact collections in North America, documenting local and regional history, including the Port of Philadelphia.

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Individuals are encouraged to participate in a project to create Ecotopian Tools for water justice in the Delaware River watershed. The project is in collaboration with the Independence Seaport Museum and the Penn Program for Environmental Humanities.

The proposals will introduce “ecotopian” tools, whether conceptual or realized, that might be used by inhabitants of the watershed to support its diverse, multi-species community as we learn to adapt and respond to our changing local environment: sinking, submerging, immersing, diving, soaking in climate-changing waters.

Awardees will get $1,000 to prototype, and possibly build or distribute their tool. The projects will also be displayed in a year-long exhibit at the Independence Seaport Museum.

Applications are due TODAY. Learn more to apply:
Forsythia Independence Seaport Museum and Delaware River Waterfront Blue Cross RiverRink featured in The Philadelphia Citizen:

https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/things-to-do-philly-weekend/
Attention all history buffs, this is your chance to get a rare tour of the USS Becuna Submarine.

The Independence Seaport Museum is teaming up with Airbnb for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Story via 6abc Action News:

https://6abc.com/uss-becuna-submarine-philadelphia-wwii-vessel-independence-seaport-museum-airbnb/11589817/
A big thumbs up for Big Ideas! Yesterday at the Museum, we explored animal engineers 🦫, learned about healthy waterways 🌊, danced like a bee 🐝, prototyped our dream playgrounds with recycled materials 👷‍♀️👷‍♂️ , learned what the Museum’s exhibit techs are inventing 💡, and used power tools to build homes for urban bees. Thanks to our partners Independence Seaport Museum and The Schuykill Center for joining us, and to our premiere Big Ideas Festival sponsor, PECO!
Did someone say Teatime with Turtles? We're there! At the Independence Seaport Museum that is, having teatime with turtles! Come say hi! Independence Seaport Museum
Today, we would like to provide a to Independence Seaport Museum, a marine museum that “deepens the understanding, appreciation and experience of the Philadelphia region’s waterways through history, science, and art, plus experiences on the water”!
USS OLYMPIA (C-6) was a United States Navy cruiser that intermittently served from its commissioning in 1895 until 1922. This sleek ship was part of the navy during its rise at the turn of the century and even served as the flagship for Commodore George Dewey during the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898! She went on to serve as a training ship for midshipmen and was even reactivated during World War One, in which she actively patrolled the East coast of the United States and served as a convoy es**rt.

Today, this remarkable piece of naval history sits quietly in the Delaware River on Philadelphia’s busy waterfront. It is open as a museum ship to the public alongside the submarine USS BECUNA (both are part of the Independence Seaport Museum).

Give back to your favorite cultural establishments by visiting their on-site and online stores this holiday season. Philadelphia Magazine

Betsy Ross House Carpenters' Hall Fireman's Hall Museum Independence Seaport Museum Museum of the American Revolution National Liberty Museum National Constitution Center National Museum of American Jewish History

https://www.phillymag.com/life-style/2021/12/07/museum-gift-shops/
The Independence Seaport Museum Parade of Lights kicks off tonight at 5:15PM on the Delaware River Waterfront, and we have the best viewing spot to soak it all in. Enjoy a tasty cocktail as you watch the decorated boats pass by from one of our indoor waterfront tables. It's the perfect way to get in the spirit! Call 215-521-6509 to reserve your table (walk-ins welcome). 📸: on the .
If you've got a Key card - then you've got Perks! Save $2 at the Independence Seaport Museum at the Delaware River Waterfront, 1/2 off your first beer at La Cabra Brewing in Berwyn, and free jumbo popcorn with a purchase of $20 or more at Nuts To You: https://iseptaphilly.com/perks!
Do you love seeing all the lights during the holidays? If you haven't yet, be sure to check out this fabulous parade of lights! Independence Seaport Museum


A surprise bonus on this Veterans Day, just two days after I got to participate in the Centennial Flower Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unkown.

This is the ship that almost lost, but ultimately returned, the Unknown Soldier to American soil in 1921. The USS Olympia, now on exhibit at the Independence Seaport Museum along the Delaware River in Philadelphia, was bound for the Washington Navy Yard with the remains of the Unknown on board when it nearly capsized in a storm.

According to Brigadier General Walker M. Field, as quoted in a WHYY PBS article from October 25th, "There were 41 marines on this boat … honor-bound to stay that casket through all that the sea could hurl upon them. Twenty-foot seas broke over the pilot house. So treacherous was the surge that a marine’s hip boots were torn off.” Field described how the casket was tied down with “an impossible amount of rope,” and how the soldiers lashed themselves to the ship’s stanchions so they wouldn’t fall overboard. “My time in the Marine Corps, I’ve heard a lot of stories,” he said. “They all pale in comparison to lashing oneself, Captain Ahab style, in the middle of a hurricane to do their duty on behalf of the country and at that point the national treasure that we now so well know as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.”
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