Aspiring Citizens Get Study Help On Philadelphia's New Americans Trail

Prepping for the civics portion of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Test is no small task, but Philadelphia’s historic attractions make learning easier—and a whole lot more fun. The city contains approximately half the answers to the 100-question citizenship test study. This means aspiring citizens and other students of U.S. history can gain the knowledge they seek simply by visiting Philly. Best place to start: Philadelphia’s Historic District.

Here’s a look at 20 tour spots, also available on visitphilly.com/newamericans, for future U.S. citizens (Note: Some phone numbers associated with Independence National Historical Park sites reach the Independence Visitor Center.):

1. The African American Museum in Philadelphia, exploring the richness of African American culture and history through the core exhibition, Audacious Freedom, comprised of informative, interactive presentations spanning two floors. 701 Arch Street, (215) 574-0380, aampmuseum.org

2. American Philosophical Society Museum, the first national library, academy of science and museum—from Benjamin Franklin, of course. 104 S. 5th Street, (215) 440-3440, nps.gov/inde

3. Benjamin Franklin Museum, all about the U.S. diplomat, signer of the Declaration of Independence, shaper of the U.S. Constitution, writer of Poor Richard’s Almanac, first Postmaster General of the U.S. and creator of the nation’s first free libraries—not to mention printer, scientist, fire company and hospital founder and face of the $100 bill. Between 3rd & 4th Streets and Market & Chestnut Streets, (267) 514-1522, nps.gov/inde

4. Betsy Ross House, where the upholsterer is credited with creating the nation’s original red, white and blue banner, with one stripe for each of the 13 colonies. A Ross interpreter tells the story of how the flag was made. 239 Arch Street, (215) 686-1252, historicphiladelphia.org

5. Christ Church, the house of worship for prominent settlers and seven signers of the Declaration of Independence, including Ben Franklin, Francis Hopkinson and Benjamin Rush. Also, from 1755 to 1805, North America’s tallest structure. 20 N. American Street, (215) 922-1695, christchurchphila.org

6. Congress Hall, where the House of Representatives and Senate met in the 1790s and where John Adams was inaugurated as president in 1797. 5th & Chestnut Streets, nps.gov/inde

7. Declaration House, where, in the summer of 1776, Virginia delegate Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence. 7th & Market Streets, (215) 965-2305, nps.gov/inde

8. Dolley Todd House, the home Dolley Todd Madison lived in before marrying James Madison—after Madison co-authored The Federalist Papers. 143 S. 3rd Street, (215) 965-2305, nps.gov/inde

9. Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP), with more than 21 million printed and graphic items, a premier center for the documentation and study of ethnic communities, immigrant experiences, tracing the evolution of America, from the personal to the political. 1300 Locust Street (215) 732-6200, hsp.org

10. Independence Hall, where in 1776 delegates from the colonies gathered and adopted the Declaration of Independence to break away from British rule; also, where the U.S. Constitution was debated and adopted in 1787 during the Constitutional Convention. 5th & Chestnut Streets, (215) 965-2305, nps.gov/inde

11. Liberty Bell Center, home to the cracked and mighty Bell that has served as an international symbol of freedom. A short film in English and eight other languages traces the adoption of the bell by abolitionists, suffragists and other civil rights groups. 6th & Market Streets, (215) 965-2305, nps.gov/inde

12. Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, founded by Bishop Richard Allen in 1794 and the mother church of the nation’s first Black denomination. This active church occupies the oldest parcel of land continuously owned by African Americans. 419 S. 6th Street, (215) 925-0616, motherbethel.org

13. Museum of the American Revolution, the newest addition to the Historic District and home to interactive exhibits and a fascinating collection of artifacts—General Washington’s headquarters tent, Patrick Henry’s law books and Phillis Wheatley’s Poems on Various Subjects. It’s also home to a new initiative to teach U.S. history and government to Philadelphians who are eligible to take the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Test. 101 S. 3rd Street, (215) 253-6731, amrevmuseum.org

14. National Constitution Center, the place to learn about one of the world’s most visionary documents, beginning with the iconic words of self-government, “We the People.” Immersive exhibits, artifacts and a powerful multimedia production delve into historic and recent milestones in U.S. history. 525 Arch Street, (215) 409-6700, constitutioncenter.org

15. National Museum of American Jewish History, exploring 360 years of Jewish life in America and the immigrant experience. The free first-floor gallery displays Albert Einstein’s pipe and Irving Berlin’s piano. 101 S. Independence Mall East, (215) 923-3811, nmajh.org

16. Cruiser Olympia, the world’s oldest steel warship still afloat. This ship led the first victory at sea during the Spanish-American War, was Admiral Dewey’s flagship during the Battle of Manila Bay and transported World War I’s unknown soldier from France to the U.S. The admiral’s quarters, sailors’ sleeping hammocks, gun turrets and other artifacts offer a glimpse into life at sea during the late 1800s. 211 S. Columbus Boulevard, (215) 413-8655, phillyseaport.org

17. People’s Plaza, Independence Mall’s public square dedicated to and designated for people to exercise First Amendment rights of assembly, expression and speech. (Permit required.) 5th & Market Streets, (215) 965-2305, nps.gov/inde

18. The President’s House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation, an open-air venue that explores the paradox of slavery and freedom at the nation’s first executive mansion. Videos tell the stories of Hercules, Oney Judge and the other Africans enslaved by the “Father of Our Country,” George Washington. 6th & Market Streets, (215) 965-2305, nps.gov/inde

19. Second Bank of the United States, chartered by Congress in 1816, and now serving as a gallery of portraits of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, signers of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution and other significant figures in America’s history. 420 Chestnut Street, (215) 965-2305, nps.gov/inde

20. U.S. Mint, brainchild of Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton and approved by Congress in 1792. Under the power of the federal government, coins are produced in the Historic District’s modern descendant of the original Mint building, which offers a video and free self-guided tour. 151 Independence Mall East, (215) 408-0114, usmint.gov

VISIT PHILADELPHIA^® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.