Independence Seaport Museum facts for kids
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Exterior of the Independence Seaport Museum
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| Established | 1961 |
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| Location | Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Type | Maritime Museum |
| Visitors | 84,000 (2011) |
| Public transit access |  2nd Street:
Market–Frankford Line
 SEPTA bus: 12, 17, 21, 25, 33, 42 |
The Independence Seaport Museum is a cool place to learn about ships and the history of the Delaware River. It used to be called the Philadelphia Maritime Museum. The museum first opened in 1961. You can find it at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
This museum has lots of amazing things to see. It shows how people used the Delaware River throughout history. You can explore two real ships that are National Historic Landmarks. There's also a special library and archives with old documents and pictures.
Contents
History of the Museum
The museum started because a collector named J. Welles Henderson loved maritime history. He felt that Philadelphia needed a museum to show off its rich past with ships and the sea. So, in 1961, he opened the Philadelphia Maritime Museum. It first displayed his own collection of sea-related items.
Later, in 1974, the museum moved to a bigger building on Chestnut Street. Then, in 1995, it moved to its current home at Penn's Landing. This new spot is right by the Delaware River. When it moved, it changed its name to the Independence Seaport Museum.
The museum works hard to keep its historic ships in good shape. For example, the USS Olympia needed a lot of repairs to stay afloat. The museum has been raising money to fix it. They received grants from different groups to help with the costs. In 2017, they finished the first part of the repairs. They are still working to get the ship into a dry-dock for more fixes.
In 2011, John Brady became the museum's President and CEO. He used to lead the museum's boat shop. The museum has also received big donations to help fund its programs and care for its historic ships. These donations help them create new exhibits and teach people about the river.
Awesome Exhibits to Explore
World War I USS Olympia
This exhibit opened in 2017 to remember 100 years since World War I. It shows how the USS Olympia helped people and kept peace during the war in Europe. You can also learn about what life was like for sailors on the ship. The exhibit even tells the story of Olympia's last mission. It carried the remains of the Unknown Soldier from France to Arlington National Cemetery.
Patriots and Pirates
Opened in 2016, this exhibit is all about Philadelphia's role in creating the United States Navy. It explores the battles between pirates and the early United States. You can see a life-size model of a ship called Diligence of 1797. There are also cool items like an old letter from an American captured by pirates.
Tides of Freedom: African Presence on the Delaware River
This exhibit, which opened in 2013, explores African-American history along the Delaware River. It talks about the slave trade in the area. It also covers how people fought for freedom and the Underground Railroad in Philadelphia. The exhibit continues into more modern times, showing the Civil Rights movement. You can see real slave shackles and old records of slave sales.
Rescues on the River
Rescues on the River shares stories of terrible accidents on the Delaware River. It shows how these events led to new safety rules for ships. It also explains how the United States Coast Guard was formed. The exhibit starts with an explosion during the American Revolutionary War. It ends with a big oil tanker fire in 1975.
Titanic Philadelphians
This exhibit opened in 2012 to mark 100 years since the sinking of the RMS Titanic. It focuses on the about 40 people from Philadelphia who were on the ship. You can hear their personal stories and how the disaster changed their lives forever. One special item on display is a rare first-class passenger list. It was saved by a woman who had it in her pocket when she got on a lifeboat.
Coming to America
Coming to America tells the stories of immigrants who came to the United States. Many of them passed through Philadelphia's Washington Avenue Immigration Station. You can see artifacts and hear recordings of people's experiences. It shows what it was like for both wealthy passengers and those traveling in steerage.
Philadelphia and the China Trade
In the 1700s, Philadelphia was one of the first American cities to trade with China. This exhibit tells the story of this trade. It also shows how it affected Philadelphia's culture and economy for many years.
This exhibit focuses on the science of finding your way on the water. You can see old tools used for navigation. These tools range from early American colonial times to today.
Community Gallery Series
The Community Gallery Series started in 2012. These are special temporary exhibits created with other groups in Philadelphia. Past exhibits have covered topics like rowing, candy making, and archaeological finds.
Historic Ships to Visit
The Independence Seaport Museum is home to two amazing ships. Both are National Landmark historic ships. You can even go inside them!
USS Olympia (C-6)
USS Olympia is a famous warship. It played a very important part in the Spanish–American War at the Battle of Manila Bay. It is the only American warship left from that time period. Olympia also served in World War I. It became part of the museum in 1996. Today, it's a museum ship. You can walk on board and take tours. Sometimes, people even do historical reenactments on the ship! The museum is working hard to fix and preserve this important vessel.
USS Becuna (SS-319)
USS Becuna is a submarine from World War II and the Cold War. It was launched in 1944 and joined the museum in 1996. Now, it's a museum submarine. Visitors can go inside and explore its different parts. You can see historical items and learn about life on a submarine.
J. Welles Henderson Research Center
The J. Welles Henderson Research Center is a special library and archive. It's located on the second floor of the museum. This center collects information about the history and culture of the Delaware River. It also focuses on the Port of Philadelphia.
You can find all sorts of things here. There are old letters, business records, rare books, and ship models. They also have maps, art, drawings, and lots of photographs. It's a great place to learn more about maritime history. In 2016, they even put some of their collections online.
Fun Programs and Learning
The museum offers many programs for adults, families, and kids. You can join educational programs like lectures and science labs. They also have summer camps and field trips. These programs teach about the Delaware River's history and environment. They use science, math, biology, and engineering to make learning fun.
Other programs, like Workshop on the Water, teach you how to build and sail traditional wooden boats. It's a great way to get hands-on experience!
See also
- Moshulu
- Gazela
- List of maritime museums in the United States
- List of museum ships
