Carpenters’ Hall at Independence National Historical Park
SITE OVERVIEW
The First Continental Congress met between September 5 and October 26, 1774, to discuss a solution to the brewing problem with Great Britain. Wanting to keep their intentions away from the public eye, congress members chose as their meeting place the privately owned Carpenters’ Hall—which was a brand new building—instead of a government building such as the Pennsylvania State House (aka Independence Hall). Congress decided to write a list of grievances and to deliver it to King George III. His response was to send more troops to America, so needless to say, the meeting was not a success.
Two other historical events took place in the hall. From December 18-28, 1775, John Jay, Benjamin Franklin, and Francis Daymon secretly met with French envoy Julien Archard de Bonvouloir to discuss French cooperation if a rebellion broke out. The following year, after the Pennsylvania Assembly refused to vote for independence, delegates from eleven counties met at Carpenters’ Hall from June 18th through the 25th and declared the Assembly incompetent and Pennsylvania independent from Great Britain. Today, Carpenters’ Hall is recognized as the birthplace of the state of Pennsylvania.
Carpenters’ Hall was built by the Carpenters’ Company, a professional organization formed in 1724 by a group of master builders for the purpose of promoting the education of construction and architecture. It also served as a political lobby for the construction industry in Philadelphia. The organization still exists, though today it is more of a historical preservation society and a provider of scholarships.
The Carpenters’ Company also leased space in the building to other businesses and organizations. It was home to four banks, including the original location of the First Bank of the United States and the Second Bank of the United States. There was so much demand for rental space that the Carpenters’ Company eventually built New Hall next door in 1791 and made that its headquarters until 1857. Since the late 1800s, Carpenters’ Hall has been open to the public as a historic shrine.
Carpenters’ Hall is still operated by the Carpenters’ Company, not the National Park Service. It is not officially part of Independence National Historical Park, but it is located right next to the New Hall Military Museum, and it played an important part in the founding of the United States. It is free to enter, so you might as well check it out.
LOCATION
320 Chestnut Street
OPERATING HOURS
- March through December
- Tuesdays through Sundays: 10 AM to 4 PM
- January and February
- Wednesdays through Sundays: 10 AM to 4 PM
- Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Even and Day
Times can always change, so before making travel plans be sure to get the latest schedule on the official Carpenters’ Hall website.
Interior of Carpenters’ Hall at Independence National Historical Park
TICKETS AND FEES
There are no tickets or fees associated with entering Carpenters’ Hall. Donations to help with the upkeep of the building are always welcome.
There is an after-hours whiskey-tasting and tour of Carpenters’ Hall that takes place on select days of the month from 4 PM to 5:30 PM. This tour visits the upper floor of the building, which is typically off limits to the public. Those ten and older can attend, though obviously the scotch whiskey is for those 21 and older. Tickets are available through Airbnb.
WHAT TO DO
There is not much to do at Carpenters’ Hall. There are no tours or even park Rangers inside the building to answer questions. It’s one of those places where you step in to take a look around just to say that you stood where the First Continental Congress met.
Interior of Carpenters’ Hall at Independence National Historical Park
There are a few information panels and other exhibits on display. The panels discuss the history of Carpenters’ Hall, the Philadelphia buildings that Carpenters’ Company members built, and the businesses and organizations that once occupied the building.
Furniture that is original to Carpenters’ Hall, Independence National Historical Park
One of the original chairs used by the First Continental Congress on display at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia
There is also a gift store in the building.
Gift and souvenir store at Carpenters’ Hall, Independence National Historical Park
SCHEDULING YOUR TIME
I spent a half hour in Carpenters’ Hall reading all of the information and taking photos. However, that is way more than the typical tourist cares to do. Most people walk in, take a look around, and are gone in ten minutes.
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Last updated on March 22, 2025
