National Museum of American Jewish History

Why go

National Museum of American Jewish History earns time because it offers a chronological museum that broadens the historic district beyond the founding generation. Its central thread is American history told through Jewish migration, community life and changing ideas of belonging. Personal objects and documents make migration stories specific rather than abstract. The galleries track how religious practice and American public life changed together.

What to look for

• Personal objects and documents make migration stories specific rather than abstract.
• The galleries track how religious practice and American public life changed together.

The full story

National Museum of American Jewish History is best understood through American history told through Jewish migration, community life and changing ideas of belonging. The National Museum of American Jewish History is a Smithsonian-affiliated museum at 101 South Independence Mall East (S. 5th Street) at Market Street in Center City Philadelphia. It was founded in 1976. With its founding in 1976 the 15,000-square-foot (1,400 m2) museum shared a building with the Congregation Mikveh Israel. In 2005, it was announced that the museum would be moved to a new building to be built at Fifth Street and Market Street on the Independence Mall. The site was originally owned by CBS' KYW radio and KYW-TV. The project broke ground on September 30, 2007. The 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m2) glass and terra-cotta building was designed by James Polshek and includes an atrium, a 25,000 square feet (2,300 m2) area for exhibits, a Center for Jewish Education, and a theater. The structural engineer was Leslie E. Robertson Associates. The project, including endowment, cost $150 million. The opening ceremony was held November 14, 2010 and was attended by over 1,000 people including Vice President Joe Biden, Mayor Michael Nutter, Governor Ed Rendell, and Rabbi Irving Greenberg. The building opened to the public November 26, 2010.

Useful to know

• Allow at least ninety minutes for the main chronological galleries.
• Pair it with Independence Mall, but give the museum its own interpretive focus.

Your next visit

Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.