Full DNC PoliticalFest Schedule Announced: What to Do and Where

Last month we told you about PoliticalFest, the festival celebrating U.S. history, government and politics, which will run July 22nd-27th as part of the Democratic National Convention.

Now we can tell you exactly what will be happening at it. The PoliticalFest schedule features exhibits on display at seven different locations, including the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the National Liberty Museum and the National Constitution Center, which will serve as the festival hub.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children and are available in person at the National Constitution Center and on the Host Committee’s website. The festival will from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Here’s a list of what to do and where:

The National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street

Theme: Headed to the White House

Including:

• PoliticalFeud
• PoliticalTrivia
• One-on-one interviews with actors who have played presidents on-screen, led by Melissa Fitzgerald of “The West Wing”
• Political Speech Screenings:
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.‘s “I Have a Dream” Speech
  • President Barack Obama’s “A More Perfect Union” Speech
  • President John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Speech
  • President Ronald Reagan‘s “Tear Down This Wall” Speech
• C-SPAN Campaign 2016 Bus, located outside the Constitution Center
• An installation from Google’s Cultural Institute through kiosks that showcase Philadelphia and American culture and history.

The Pennsylvania Convention Center, Hall F
1101 Arch Street

Theme: Politics and You!

Including:

• “I Am Democracy Photo Mosaic” for which guests can take individual photos that compose a larger digital mosaic of an American flag
• C-SPAN’S The American Presidents exhibit
• C-SPAN’s Electoral Boards
• Oval Office Replica, presented by Facebook
• Photo walls featuring key political features and their impacts on society
• “Voting Through Time” exhibit, showing voting booths from the past, present and future
• Air Force One Fuselage replica
• Memorabilia Store, including Host Committee merchandise from local designers like Project Runway winner Dom Streater and apparel from Duke & Winston, as well as rare collector’s items
• “Future Leaders Fun Zone” featuring games and other activities for children

The National Liberty Museum
312 Chestnut Street

Theme: First Families

Including:

• “First Ladies: Influence & Image” video, which features stories of America’s 45 First Ladies
• A display of featured dresses worn by First Ladies
• White House China dating back to George Washington‘s presidency 
• A National Georgraphic photo exhibit highlighting First Families
• “Larger Than Life” photo wall, with photos of key political figures
• Johnston & Murphy Presidential Footwear Collection, which highlights 12 former presidents who wore Johnston & Murphy shoes
• The Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement’s kids program, which offers an interactive program for K-12 students encouraging civic engagement and explaining the process of running for and winning the Presidency

Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent
15 S. 7th Street

Theme: Philadelphia and the Presidency

Including:

• Original election coverage from the Philadelphia Tribune, the nation’s oldest and the region’s largest African-American daily publication
• Philadelphia Gay News interviews with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign
• Philadelphia Memorabilia Perspective, featuring pieces from local collectors that highlight convention history
• Short documentary showcasing local collectors’ historical artifacts
• Whistle Stop Philadelphia!, which will provide guests with a photo opportunity with a life-size train replica, like those used during whistle stop campaign tours

Library Company of Philadelphia
1314 Locust Street

Theme: Presidential Archives

Including:

• Presidential Libraries
• Exhibit featuring writings, photographs and artifacts from the museum collection, including:
  • A life mask of George Washington;
  • A death mask of Abraham Lincoln;
  • Rare books, graphics, and manuscripts about the founding of the nation;
  • Women in American politics;
  • 19th-century African-American political conventions.

 Historical Society of Philadelphia
1300 Locust Street

Theme: Founding Documents

Including:

•  “Behind The Ballot,” an interactive exhibit provided by the city of Birmingham, Alabama, which highlights the Civil Rights Act and the Voters Rights Act
•  Proof of Declaration of Independence
• Samples of Articles of Confederation
• Draft of the Constitution of the United States
• “We the People” collection, including:
  •  Constitution of Women’s Suffrage Association including a note by Susan B. Anthony 
  • Lithograph of the Emancipation Proclamation 

Heritage Center at the Union League
140 S. Broad Street

Theme: Political Conventions in Philadelphia

Including:

• Sweep the Country: Political Conventions in Philadelphia, an exhibit that showcases the 11 conventions held in Philadelphia

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