Our Purpose
From our home in Historic Philadelphia, the cradle of American democracy, the National Liberty Museum (NLM) offers a contemporary perspective on the boldest, most innovative concept in American history: that liberty is – and must be – a shared pursuit if it is ever truly to be “for all.”
Mission
The National Liberty Museum connects, educates, and inspires people to explore and advance the complex practice of liberty.
Vision
We are committed to building a society that values freedom of thought, civil discourse, respect for all people, and the essential pursuit of liberty.
What We Do
At the National Liberty Museum, we make space for generative and inclusive public conversations about shared values and for civic skill-building, inviting visitors to investigate liberty’s many facets together. We are more than a collection—we are a space for open dialogue and challenging ideas. Our museum in Historic Philadelphia creates opportunities for authentic, nuanced, peaceful interactions around the concept and practice of liberty, with all of its benefits, challenges and tensions. Visitors can develop skills for meaningful conversation, widen their understanding, build empathy, resolve conflict and collaborate on solutions.
Exhibitions
We collaborate with scholars, artists, community partners, and expert advisors to present dynamic and interactive exhibitions that challenge and enrich how visitors think about liberty.
Education
We are a leader in providing high-quality civics education programs for students and classroom-ready resources for teachers that connect the past to the present and put liberty into action.
Programs
We host powerful speaker programs, tours, after-hours events, awards ceremonies, and more to create unique experiences that encourage visitors to ask questions, share ideas, and connect with others.
Liberty Lives On
Liberty is central to the American experiment, and dialogues over what liberty is and how it is to be preserved and expressed are central to the American story. Liberty is evolving, subjective, and contextual, and is at the center of how we perceive and respond to issues that impact our lives.
The tensions inherent in liberty – between individual and collective liberty, and between liberty and other values, such as equality, civic responsibility, or safety – challenge us to listen and learn from one another, to engage in shared values and practices, and to commit to liberty as an ongoing, lifelong pursuit.
