mmcenteer@independencevisitorcenter.com

Irene Levy Baker

(215) 782-2258

spotlightpr@home.com

Opening in November 2001, the $38 million Independence Visitor Center will serve as the primary point of orientation to Independence National Historical Park (INHP), the City of Philadelphia and the surrounding region.

OPENING: November 20, 2001

LOCATION: 6^th & Market streets on Block II of Independence Mall, across from the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia

SIZE: Approximately 50,000 square feet

DESCRIPTION: The Independence Visitor Center will be the primary point of visitor orientation for Independence National Historical Park, the City of Philadelphia, the southern New Jersey waterfront and Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. Located in INHP, the Center, a glass and brick structure, incorporates vibrant graphics, high tech, convenience and optimal visitor amenities. It will replace the Philadelphia Visitor Center at 16^th street and JFK Boulevard and the INHP Visitor Center at 3^rd & Chestnut streets in Philadelphia.

FEATURES/AMENITIES: The Independence Visitor Center features a host of trip planning exhibits and visitor amenities including:

• Concierge assistance
• Information desk with listings of daily events
• Hotel and restaurant reservation service
• Onsite ticketing for area attractions
• Theaters showing free orientation and historical films
• Informational touch screen computer kiosks describing destinations
• Exhibit displays featuring INHP, city and regional maps and attractions
• Special event facilities available for rent
• Specialty coffee bar
• Visitor shop and book store
• Ample public restrooms, including baby changing stations in both the men’s and women’s rooms
• Direct access to renovated underground parking garage

DESIGN TEAM: The design team includes: Architects: Kallman, McKinnell & Wood Architects, Inc.; Project Manager: Day & Zimmermann, International; Construction Contractor: Barclay White Skanska, Inc.; Exhibit Designers: Gallagher & Associates; Exhibit Fabricators: Design & Production, Incorporated.

• More than 2,000 square feet of special event space
• A 1,300-square-foot tented terrace, with a view of Independence Hall
• Accommodations from 175 people for sit-down dinners to more than 1,000 for receptions
• The entire Visitor Center building is available when the Center is closed to the public
• Five exclusive caterers providing for every taste and budget

FUNDING: The $38 million Independence Visitor Center project is funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Delaware River Port Authority, the National Park Service, the City of Philadelphia, the Annenberg Foundation, the Connelly Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

OPERATION: The Independence Visitor Center Corporation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that will operate the Visitor Center in cooperation with the efforts of the National Park Service, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

For more information call (215) 925-6101 or visit http://www.independencevisitorcenter.com. For information about traveling to the region, visit http://www.gophila.com.