Teachers, chaperones and parents, are you looking for a self-guided tour through Independence National Historical Park? If so, try one of these. These Drop-In Packets are designed to be used with small groups of 2-8 students with a chaperone/ parent. No advance subject knowledge is needed to use this self-guided tour.

Following in Franklin’s Footsteps (self-guided walking tour)

Thomas Jefferson’s Homework (self-guided walking tour)

Daily Life and Diversity in 18th Century Philadelphia (self-guided walking tour)

Historic Preservation

Other Resources
Archeology Activities
Second Bank Portrait Gallery: Questions to Ponder
Trail Guide for Scouts

Lesson plans for teaching the American Revolution.
Grab your pens and unleash your imagination for the Hedgehog's Herald adventure!

The Independence Park Institute at Independence National Historical Park offers a variety of ranger led curriculum based education programs for students in grades K-12. Take a look at our Program Menu for more information.
IPI School Programs Menu

The Independence Park Institute (IPI) offers many opportunities for professional development for teachers. You can find out more about these IPI Professional Development Programs below:

Spring 2008 IPI Professional Development Workshops (January-May)

The Independence Park Institute (IPI) offers a variety of workshops
encompassing many interests and grade levels. History is our focus,
however, components from multiple disciplines are frequently utilized
that could be used in many curriculum areas. These workshops are
hands-on learning experiences that involve using Independence National
Historical Park as a classroom.

IPI Open House – Saturday, January 26, 2008, 9:30 AM- 4:00 PM Meet Author Ann Rinaldi - Author of Taking Liberty and Finishing Becca
Date: Saturday, January 26, 2008
Location: The Independence Park Institute Education Center at the Independence Living History Center (corner of 3rd and Chestnut Streets)
– please enter through the Dock Street doors/ school group entrance.
Description: Teachers, have you been hearing about the Independence Park Institute (IPI)?
You are invited to come see what it is all about!
Get help planning your field trip to Independence NHP, reserve a fun, interactive, standards-based education program for your class,
see the IPI learning labs, and learn about the programs we offer. We also invite you to stay and meet award wining author Ann Rinaldi!
Ms. Rinaldi is the author of many great historical fiction novels for young adults including Taking Liberty and Finishing Becca.
She will be talking with educators about her work and taking questions from the audience.
We hope that you will be able to join us for her engaging presentation.

    9:30 AM – Doors open for IPI Open House
    10:00 AM – Talk by Ann Rinaldi with a Q&A section at the end
    11:30 AM- Book signing by Ann Rinaldi
    1:30 PM- Talk by Ann Rinaldi with a Q&A section at the end
    3:00 PM- Book signing by Ann Rinaldi

Time: 9:30 AM-4:00 PM
Grades: K-12th
Cost: This open house is FREE to area educators. Registration is strongly encouraged.
Please e-mail inde_education_comments@nps.gov to register.
Come and go as you can. We hope to see you there!

IPI Professional Development Programs (3.5 hours)
IPI Professional Development Programs (7 hours)

Summer Teacher Institutes

Interested in having your class participate in a web-based program about daily life in 18th century Philadelphia? Click here!