Strength & Fragility: The Story of the NLM

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Now Open in Liberty Hall

The National Liberty Museum’s newest exhibition, Strength & Fragility: The Story of the NLM, highlights the life of businessman and philanthropist Irvin J. Borowsky, and how his belief in universal equality and liberty, as well as his passion for contemporary glass art, led to his founding of the National Liberty Museum in 2000. Borowsky believed that liberty, like glass, is both fragile and strong, and must always be nurtured and protected. This central idea is represented throughout the Museum by thought-provoking glass art, along with stories of heroes, past and present, who have made great sacrifices to safeguard liberty.

For more than 20 years, the Museum has confronted difficult issues and asked important questions to educate visitors and inspire them to take meaningful action to advance the cause of liberty. Strength & Fragility pays homage to the life of Mr. Borowsky and the ideals of the NLM through engaging archival material, stunning glass artwork, and immersive soundscapes. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a magnificent 9-foot-tall glass canopy by Ulla Darni, entitled The Peace Portal. It includes a custom sound bath experience, Seeds of Love, written and produced by Philadelphia-based sound artist Luna Maye, in collaboration with composer Alfiya Glow, that gives visitors a chance to peacefully reflect on the NLM’s founding principles of promoting and advancing freedom and liberty for all.

Exhibition is included with the price of admission.
Tickets may be purchased online or at the Museum.

Get your tickets here

Strength & Fragility Exhibition Now Open

Strength & Fragility: The Story of the NLM highlights the life of the Museum’s founder Irvin J. Borowsky, and how his belief in universal equality and liberty, as well as his passion for contemporary glass art, led to the creation of the National Liberty Museum. Strength & Fragility includes engaging archival material, stunning glass artwork, and immersive soundscapes. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a magnificent 9-foot-high glass canopy by Ulla Darni, entitled “The Peace Portal.” It features a custom sound bath experience, Seeds of Love, written and produced by Philadelphia-based sound artist Luna Maye, in collaboration with composer Alfiya Glow.

You'll find complete information here.

Art that acts as Social Commentary

The Graphic Content exhibition features graphic-centered artworks that take inspiration from counterculture tradition and give voice to those outside the mainstream. It features works that embody the artists' personal reflections on the current social and political climate.

The exhibition is on view through November 7, 2021
Learn more and purchase your Museum tickets now.

The artform of cartooning celebrates diversity, liberty, and inclusion

As a companion piece to the Graphic Content Exhibition, the NLM has brought back select pieces from Caretoons, a popular annual exhibition/competition that ran from 2005-2010. Through drawings submitted by children, as well as amateur and professional artists from around the world, the images in Caretoons grapple with contemporary issues through the approachable lens of cartoons and graphic art.

Click here to learn more and purchase your Museum tickets.

An exhibition celebrating NLM Award Winners

Since the NLM’s founding, a major component of our work has been our series of annual awards programs honoring the everyday heroes who live among us. This exhibition celebrates teachers, students, police officers, firefighters & first-responders, and healthcare professionals who have demonstrated extraordinary courage and made a difference in the lives of others.

Click here to learn more and purchase Museum tickets.

Programs for Kids & Families

The NLM offers a full calendar of virtual and on-site programs for kids and their families. We invite you to join us as we explore the themes of respect, taking action and spreading liberty to all. Check out our exciting list of summer events.

Special Thanks to the Satell Institute for sponsoring
these FREE summer workshops: Click here for dates and times.

-Beyond Wakanda: Black Superheroes from Comics to Real Life (for Kids 8-12), A FOUR-DAY workshop.
-Tik Tok Liberty (for teens), A FOUR-DAY workshop over a four week period.
-The Power of Art: Express Yourself (Teens age 14-18), A TWO-DAY workshop.

Events at NLM

The NLM hosts a robust calendar of programs and events for adults, from thought-provoking panel discussions to fun and engaging tours and workshops.

To see what's happening this summer, click here.

For special evening adult programs, visit NLM@Night.

Virtual Guided Group Tours now available

Here's a great way to enjoy the NLM. Our staff will lead you on a virtual tour of the Museum, as they explain our history, our mission, and our special exhibitions. We offer a range of virtual guided tour themes or we can customize a tour specifically for your group.

You'll find complete information here.

Support the Next Generation of Heroes

Each school year, we send NLM educators directly into Philadelphia’s most underserved schools to teach students critical leadership skills, such as courage, integrity, responsibility, respect, and most important, empathy. We show them that they have the power through their First Amendment Rights to use these skills to make positive changes in their school and community.

Help us continue to bring this program to as many students as possible.
Click here to donate now.

Police officers, firefighters, and other emergency responders are honored

The National Liberty Museum celebrated its 15th annual Awards of Valor, presented by Your Local Chevrolet Dealers, via a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, December 8, 2020. The event included several notable keynote speakers and was attended by the honorees, their families and colleagues,

Learn more here about their impressive and inspirational stories.

NLM Honors Medical Professionals

The National Liberty Museum is proud to host its annual Healthcare Heroes Awards, presented by Teva Pharmaceuticals. This international awards program recognizes inspirational heroes in healthcare research and treatment whose accomplishments have profoundly benefited their patients, their field, and the global community.

The 2020 Awards Ceremony was held virtually on December 3.
Click here to learn about the honorees.

NLM honors 14 inspiring students from across the country

The National Liberty Museum celebrated its 20th annual TD Bank Young Heroes Awards with a Virtual Awards Ceremony on Saturday, September 12. The ceremony honored 14 inspiring students, ages 18 and younger, who identified an area where liberty was lacking and took action to make positive change in their local schools or communities.

Learn about these amazing young people here.

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