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.

Tickets may be purchased online up to 2 weeks in advance of your visit (strongly encouraged), as well as in-person at the Museum. Get your advanced timed tickets here.

Get your timed tickets here

Strength & Fragility Exhibition Now Open

Our newest exhibition, 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 on here.

Exhibition focusing on freedom now in its final weeks

Philly's Freedom is an exhibition that explores what freedom means through a diverse collection of art from more than 50 Philadelphia artists. Don't miss the opportunity to embark on this inspiring journey to see freedom and liberty in a totally new way.

The exhibition closes on April 25.
Learn more and purchase your time tickets now.

Programs for Kids & Families

The NLM offers a full calendar of live and pre-recorded virtual 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.

Upcoming Events Include:
Act Small, Think Big, a weekend featuring both a live and prerecorded program, Saturday & Sunday, April 24 and April 25

Click here to learn more.

VIRTUAL NLM@Night

The Museum offers a wide variety of engaging digital experiences. Our Virtual NLM@Night series includes fun and informative entertainment on the subject of liberty specifically for adults.

Upcoming Events Include:
Members-Only Event: Heroes Among Us Exhibition Virtual Opening, April 9, 5pm
Cocktails with a Cause: Sustainability at Home, April 22, 2021, 5PM
How to Find Peace in Liberty: An Interactive Virtual Tour, Apr 27, 2021, 5PM

Click here to learn more.

Learn about NLM's Virtual Field Trip Programs

Looking for fun and educational virtual experiences for your students this school year? Let the National Liberty Museum’s educators bring liberty to life through tours, group discussions, games, crafts, and more that tell the amazing stories of ordinary people who did extraordinary things in the name of freedom and equality.

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.

NLM Honors Outstanding Educators in the Delaware Valley and Beyond

The National Liberty Museum celebrated its 14th annual Teacher as Hero Award sponsored by State Farm® with a Virtual Awards Ceremony on Saturday, September 24. The ceremony honored 10 inspiring teachers who make a difference in the lives of their students. To mark the occasion, State Farm Representatives, National Liberty Museum leadership, friends and family gathered via Zoom to celebrate the accomplishments of these exceptional educators.

Learn their stories here. TO NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR THE 2021 AWARDS, CLICK HERE.

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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