“Liberty is about our rights to question everything.” —Ai Weiwei
Our Purpose
From our home in Historic Philadelphia, the cradle of American democracy, the National Liberty Museum (NLM) offers a contemporary perspective on the boldest, most innovative concept in American history: that liberty is – and must be – a shared pursuit if it is ever truly to be “for all.”
- Liberty is central to the American experiment, and dialogues over what liberty is and how it is to be preserved and expressed are central to the American story.
- Liberty is evolving, subjective, and contextual, and is at the center of how we perceive and respond to issues that impact our lives.
- The tensions inherent in liberty – between individual and collective liberty, and between liberty and other values, such as equality, civic responsibility, or safety – challenge us to listen and learn from one another, to engage in shared values and practices, and to commit to liberty as an ongoing, lifelong pursuit.
The National Liberty Museum exists for this very purpose: to create opportunities for authentic, nuanced, peaceful interactions around the concept and practice of liberty, with all of its benefits, challenges and tensions – where people can develop skills for meaningful conversation, widening understanding, building empathy, resolving conflict and collaborating on solutions.
Our Mission
The National Liberty Museum connects, educates, and inspires people to explore and advance the complex practice of liberty.
Our Vision
We are committed to building a society that values freedom of thought, civil discourse, respect for all people, and the essential pursuit of liberty.
What We Do
NLM makes space for generative and inclusive public conversations about shared values and for civic skillbuilding, inviting visitors to investigate liberty’s many facets together.
Exhibitions
NLM collaborates with scholars, artists, community partners, and external advisors to present dynamic and interactive exhibitions that challenge and enrich how visitors think about liberty, what it means, and how it is expressed and experienced today.
Education
NLM is a leader in providing curriculum-linked civics programs for K-12 students and educators. Our flagship Young Heroes Outreach Program – a year-long civic learning program for grades 4-8 – prepares participants to create and execute action projects addressing issues and inequities in their communities.
Programs
Through powerful speaker programs, talks, tours, workshops, and more, NLM creates unique experiences for a variety of audiences to ask questions, share ideas, and make connections with others. NLM also acknowledges the contributions of individuals who have gone to great lengths to preserve liberty with annual awards programs that honor educators and first responders who exemplify civic leadership.
