Independence Seaport Museum

Here are some highlights from our ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of our new entrance and introductory exhibition, which is now officially open to the public! ⚓️💙

Today is the day! 🎉 You can now shop the products offered in our Museum Store 24/7 as our 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞 officially launches! From nautical-themed jewelry, locally made products, ISM exclusives, and more!

Major funding for 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘜𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 has been provided by @PewCenterArts with additional support from the @WilliamPennFdn.

⚓️ Do you know a Black woman who has worked on or near the Delaware River in the Philadelphia area? Contact Paul today at the link in our bio to have their story included in this exhibit, which will be opening in 2026.

Work continues on our 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘜𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 Oral History Project! Local percussionist Karen Smith shared her history with Project Director Paul D. Best. She told of her experiences performing at Penn’s Landing.

On this Veteran’s Day, and every day, Independence Seaport Museum is grateful for all those who served our country in the armed services. 🇺🇸

#OTD in 1921, 𝘖𝘭𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘢 arrived at the Washington Naval Yard in Washington, D.C. with the remains of the Unknown Soldier, following a 15-day journey across the Atlantic from Le Havre, France. 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴.

Perk Alert! Flash your SEPTA Key card at @phillyseaport 🚢 on the @DelRiverWfront to save $2 on admission: wwww.septa.org/perks/independ…! #ISEPTAPHILLY #waytogo #Perks

Perk Alert! Flash your SEPTA Key card at @phillyseaport 🚢 on the @DelRiverWfront to save $2 on admission: iseptaphilly.com/perk/12! #ISEPTAPHILLY #waytogo #Perks

Cool off this summer on the Delaware River and enjoy gorgeous city views. 🌊 🚣 🛶 ☀️ @phillyseaport is offering kayak excursions and paddle boat adventures. For more about kayaks ⤵️ phillyseaport.org/kayaking/ For more about paddle boats ⤵️ phillyseaport.org/paddle/ #discoverPHL

ISM is excited to participate in this year’s inaugural 𝐑𝐞𝐝, 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞, & 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐓𝐨-𝐃𝐨, hosted by @PHLVisitorCntr! Storytimes will be held at 11 AM and 1 PM, and Triple 6-pounder salutes from 𝘖𝘭𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘢 will happen at 1 and 3 PM. @OldCityDistrict @ConstitutionCtr

#OTD in 1917 𝘖𝘭𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘢 hit a shoal at Block Island, RI. At the risk of sinking, Cdr. Evans ordered the ship intentionally grounded using only the starboard engine. The crews reportedly worked in waist-high water in the engine room and managed to steam the ship to safety.

The next 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 will be taking place on 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡! 🚢 Speaker 𝐃𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐑𝐨𝐰𝐞 will be discussing the topic of the American Army in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. Get your tickets on our website!

🚨The Heat Advisory aboard 𝘖𝘭𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘢 has been LIFTED. Self-exploration will resume at 10 AM today.

Summertime sunsets just hit different. 🥰 #sunsetsunday

The next 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 will be taking place on 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡! 🌊 This month’s Storytime is all about 𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙨! 🐾 ⚓ Get your tickets here: 2137a.blackbaudhosting.com/2137a/Seaport-…

Due to the current temperature on Olympia, we have decided to stop offering self-guided exploration effective immediately. For the safety of visitors and staff, ISM will offer spaced-out, timed tours instead. An update will be provided when self-guided touring can resume.

Summer has officially begun! 🌊 ☀ People in the Greater Philadelphia area have flocked down to enjoy the sun and sand at the Jersey Shore for generations. Pictured above is a child’s sand pail from ISM’s collections, likely dating back to around 1915 [1980.038.001].

ISM is excited to be participating in 𝘞𝘈𝘞𝘈 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢’𝘴 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬! TODAY ONLY you can receive 𝟱𝟬% 𝗼𝗳𝗳 on select items in the Museum Store! So make sure you stop by at the end of your visit!

June 28th is 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 in our 𝙊𝙡𝙮𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙖 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 series! 🏳️‍🌈 Hear directly from one of our incredible performers, Avery Goodname!

𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐡 is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the U.S. During the Civil War, the Philadelphia Navy Yard had a volunteer-organized “Refreshment Saloon” for soldiers bound for war. This saloon served all soldiers, regardless of race.