There is no better place to connect deeply with the stories that shaped our nation than at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Our "Behind the Scenes" tour is not just a walk through a museum, or the outside of a building; it's your exclusive look to the documents that make up American history.  

​

You and a small group will venture beyond the public spaces and exhibits, and into our secure vault spaces and the elegant Reading Room. Here, history comes alive as you get up close and personal with authentic national treasures.  ​

​

Standing inches away from the first printed draft of the Declaration of Independence (1776) or the first handwritten draft of the U.S. Constitution (1787) is just the beginning of what can be experienced at HSP. This is your chance to see the words and pages that created our nation.  

​

Some of HSP's treasures to highlight include: 

​

• Martha Washington’s Cookbook (ca. 1600) 

• William Penn’s first deed with the Lenni Lenape (1682) 

• First hand-drawn plan of Philadelphia (1683) 

• Architectural Drawing for Independence Hall (1732) 

• Letter from George Washington discussing his plan to cross the Delaware River (1776) 

• The Earliest Surviving Photograph taken in the United States (1839) 

• William Still’s handwritten account of the Underground Railroad (1852-57) 

​

This experience is one tailored to you and your group. Within the restricted areas closed to the public, you’ll hear the stories and narratives behind these one-of-a-kind artifacts. On top of these rarely seen treasures, your group will have the opportunity to request documents on a specialized topic or theme such as women’s history, African American history, LGBTQ+ history, Benjamin Franklin, the American Revolution, the Civil War, art, architecture, medicine, science, sports, etc.  

​

Tours, which start at $500 per party, are approximately one hour of discovery, all within the comfort and atmosphere of our historic landmark building.  

​

To learn more about booking, contact Preston Gould, Development Coordinator, at pgould@hsp.org at (215) 732-6200 ext. 243.