current exhibits
What's on Exhibit at the museum?
Philadelphia’s history starts at the Delaware River. Our exhibitions tell not only the story of the city’s maritime history but also the cultural and environmental impact of our local waterways from before William Penn’s arrival to today.
Here’s what you can expect to see on your visit to the Independence Seaport Museum:
First Floor
Introductory Exhibition
This new gallery offers visitors a glimpse into the museum’s collections by displaying over 100 treasures that rarely, if ever, have been on display. Objects on view highlight themes like Philadelphia’s American Revolutionary naval history and the Delaware River’s shipyards, which have been a critical part of our nation’s maritime history.
Patriots & Pirates
Did you know that the United States Navy was founded right here in Philadelphia? It’s true! Learn about our history fighting the Barbary Pirates, why it took so long to create the Navy, and more in this exhibit. Make sure to save time to climb aboard Schooner Diligence, a 1797 replica ship built by Joshua and Samuel Humphreys in Philadelphia that would have significantly contributed to defending American merchant ships once the Navy was created. Fun fact: this replica was built by our very own Seaport Boat Shop staff and volunteers!
River Alive!
15 million people drink water from the Delaware River, equivalent to 5% of the U.S. population! Get your hands wet (literally and figuratively) as you explore the importance of our local waterways, learn how to keep them clean, and most of all, have fun with interactive components, like with a larger-than-life video game!
Small but mighty!
Comprised of nearly 50 rarely seen models, examples will range from U.S. Navy vessels to Pond Yacht models to toy models that would have been sailed on the floor of large Victorian homes in the 19th century. Ship models, in addition to being known for their meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship, bring out the child in all of us.
Second Floor
seeking profit and power: philadelphia, china trade, and the making of america
The Independence Seaport Museum is opening an exciting new exhibition that celebrates the country’s 250th birthday. 𝘚𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳: 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘢, 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢 will examine the immediate aftermath of the Revolutionary War from an economic standpoint, exploring how this new nation had to create new trade protocols while building foreign trade alliances independent of Great Britain to survive. Comprised of roughly 150 objects that have rarely been seen, this exhibition will tell the story of the United States, pointing eastward toward China, and how early trade relationships with them helped build America into the global economic power that it is today.
OLYMPIA
Philippine-American War (1899-1902): Complex Symbols & Conflicting Relationships
This exhibit tells the rarely discussed story of the Philippine-American War and the symbols that arose through the complicated relationship between the United States of America, the Philippines, and the Filipino people. Learn about the impact on the Filipino people as they fought for independence, and the continued relationship between the two countries today. This exhibit is presented by the Independence Seaport Museum in partnership with the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia, Inc.
Coming Soon
Black Life Along the Philadelphia Waterfront: The Fullness Thereof
Opening in March 2027, 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘈𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘢 𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘰𝘧 examines the complicated and storied relationship that Black Philadelphians have with the Delaware River. In the 17th century, the river served as the portal that ushered African people into a life of enslavement. Two centuries later, the Delaware became a tool for freedom seekers who believed that justice and liberty was for all. By the 20th century, the waterfront provided Black Philadelphians economic mobility through labor. Today, it is a place of leisure and cultural celebration. How did this relationship evolve? How do Black Philadelphians regard the Delaware River now? Join the museum as we answer those questions and more by exploring almost 400 years of self-determination, placemaking, and legacy building along the waterfront.
Special Thanks
The Independence Seaport Museum would like to thank the William Penn Foundation for their generous support in funding River Alive!.
The Independence Seaport Museum would like to thank the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial, the Richard C. von Hess Foundation, the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, the State Society of the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania, and WSFS Cares Foundation for their generous support of Seeking Profit and Power: Philadelphia, China Trade, and the Making of America.
Major support for Black Life Along the Philadelphia Waterfront: The Fullness Thereof has been provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, with additional support from the William Penn Foundation and the Pennsylvania Abolition Society.
visit the seaport museum
Immerse yourself in award-winning exhibitions and climb aboard the Olympia, a nineteenth-century cruiser, and the Becuna, a World War II-era submarine.