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Penn's Landing, Philadelphia PA
Open Daily 10am-5pm (215)413-8655
ABOUT US
Museum Chronology
1960
Founder J. Welles Henderson, a prominent Philadelphia attorney, drafts the charitable trust that creates the Philadelphia Maritime Museum. The same year, Philadelphia's 1960 Comprehensive Plan, prepared by city planner Edmund Bacon, first proposes the public space on the Delaware River that would become Penn's Landing.
1961
U.S. Treasury Department accredits the Museum's tax-exempt status. The same year, the Museum opens its doors with 2,000 square feet of exhibit space at The Athenaeum, 219 South Sixth Street.
1962
The first piers are demolished for the waterfront development proposed by Edmund Bacon, and landfill creates new real estate. The site is dubbed Penn's Landing.
1965
The Museum moves to rented quarters at 427 Chestnut Street, expanding to 10,000 square feet. The same year, the Museum is incorporated as a Pennsylvania non-profit with a governing Board of Port Wardens, whose members include John T. Dorrance Jr., Pierre S. DuPont, Robert L. McNeil Jr., William Wikoff Smith, and John R. Wanamaker.
1966
The Museum opens its first major art exhibit, which runs March 16 through May 1. The same year, the Museum launches its educational programs with a professional educator at the helm. More than 100 requests for student lessons are received in the program's first month.
1971
The Museum purchases 321 Chestnut Street, a former bank building, as its new home, tripling the Museum's space to 31,000 square feet. Formally opens at the new location in December 1974. Also in 1971, the Museum sails Gazela Primeiro, a three-masted sailing ship, from Portugal to Pier 19. Acquired for the Museum by William Wikoff Smith, a member of the Board, Gazela is transferred to the Penn's Landing Corporation in 1981.
1976
The Delaware River walkway and boat basin at Penn's Landing are completed in time for the events celebrating the American Bicentennial.
1978
The Port of History Museum building is completed at Penn's Landing.
1979
The American Association of Museums accredits the Maritime Museum, only the sixth museum in Philadelphia to earn this distinction.
1980
The Museum acquires a covered steel barge, Maple, which is to house its boat-building shop, Workshop on the Water, berthed at Penn's Landing.
1995
The Museum changes its name to Independence Seaport Museum, has a major capital campaign, and moves into the former Port of History building at Penn's Landing, filling more than 110,000 square feet over four floors, including a 530-seat Concert Hall.
1996
The Museum assumes responsibility for the Spanish-America War cruiser USS Olympia and World War II submarine USS Becuna, both National Historic Landmarks. The same year, the Museum launches its first website.
1999
USS Olympia awarded Official Project status by Save America's Treasures program of National Trust for Historic Preservation. The same year, Museum hosts triennial meeting of International Congress of Maritime Museums, the professional organization for maritime museums worldwide.
2004
Independence Seaport Museum welcomes its one-millionth visitor since moving to Penn's Landing.
Board of Port Wardens
Chair
William F. McLaughlin, Jr.
Vice Chair
Peter McCausland
Interim CEO
John Brady
Executive Vice President
John K. Hunter
Treasurer
Peter H. Havens
Secretary
James T. Giles
Members
Diana H. Bittel
Hans Bombeck
John Brady
Boise Butler III
William B. Chandlee, Jr.
Thomas F. Emlen
William L. Gaunt
Deborah Gibbons-Neff
James T. Giles, Esq.
Thomas S. Greenwood, Jr.
A. John Gregg
Peter H. Havens
Richard A. Hayne
Damon R. Hostetter
Joseph F. Huber
John K. Hunter
Gordon L. Keen, Jr.
William L. Lane, III
Betsy Longstreth
Peter McCausland
James W. McLane
William F. McLaughlin, Jr.
J. Anthony Messina, Jr., Esq.
Stephan K. Pahides, Esq.
Suzanne Baird Perot, Ph.D.
Paul (Tim) Thompson III
Richard B. Worley
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Supporters
Independence Seaport Museum would like to thank the following organizations for their support:
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative
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