friendsofindependence.org

New Friends Film!

A FILM TO MAKE FRIENDS FOR INDEPENDENCE NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK

The Friends of Independence National Historical Park and Independence National Historical Park (INHP) have teamed up to create a film on INHP and the Friends. Joe Medeiros, the head writer for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Show, and Justine Medeiros, who own their own film and television production company, Midair Rose Productions, are donating their time and talents to produce this film. The film will showcase the grandeur and history of INHP and emphasize the need to preserve the birthplace of our nation. Friends intend the film to be used widely to encourage both financial and volunteer support for INHP and Friends.

Joe and Justine began production on the film during the Independence Day week-long celebrations. While capturing the splendor of the gardens, thorough fares and historic buildings of our beloved INHP, the team interviewed Friends’ board members and volunteers, park staff and volunteers, and park visitors.

TO VIEW THE FILM:
http://www.travelistic.com/video/show/8544/Friends-of-Independence

Thank you to our sponsors of the 2007 FINHP Annual Meeting!

The 2007 Annual Meeting with guest speaker Mary Bomar, Director of the National Park Service, was a huge success due largely to the generosity of our corporate sponsors.

The goal of the Friends of Independence is to continue to make a difference in our National Park. With the help of donations from supporters such as you we are able to raise a great deal of funding for the ongoing maintenance and restoration of twenty city blocks that contain the most historic and beautiful buildings in our country.

Your generosity helped ensure one successful evening and many future INHP projects.

Thank you again for your support!

Aqua America, Inc.Borowsky Family FoundationCitizens BankConcordisFirst Penn Charitable FoundationGPTMCGrubb & EllisIVCCJohn James TsucalasKeystone Mercy Health PlanMcCormick Taylor, Inc.National Constitution CenterSchultz and WilliamsThomas PropertiesTierneyUTA Associates, Inc.

Education! Preservation! Inspiration! - That is our charge! The Friends is a non-profit organization made up of caring citizens that provides educational programs and events, supports preservation of historical buildings and acquisition of valuable historical artifacts.

We believe that the events, the buildings, the artifacts, the people and the stories that took place in our great city — especially in and around Philadelphia's Historic District — left an indelible mark on all of our lives. All of this is a part of who we are, who we are becoming, and who we can be. The Friends are inspired by this. And, we're sure you are inspired by it, too.

History

For 36 years, The Friends of Independence National Historical Park (INHP) have supported INHP's mission by helping millions of people gain ownership, pride, and inspiration in their history and in the principles under which our country was founded.The organization came into being in 1972 with the approach of our country's bicentennial when INHP's Chief of Museum Operations was concerned that federally allocated funds for furnishing the buildings under restoration would not last long. He realized that outside funding was going to be imperative to the development of the Park in the coming years.

With the Friends formation, the organization — in partnership with INHP — became a rare and dynamic collaboration between the public and private sectors. In fact, the Friends became a model of park support groups that inspired the development of similar organizations.

Through its longstanding partnership with the most historical national park in America, the Friends supported the creation of educational programs; secured historical artifacts, art works, and manuscripts; and raised a great deal of funding for the ongoing maintenance and restoration of twenty city blocks that contain the most historic and beautiful buildings in our country.

Past Accomplishments

Assisted the Park with 76 acquisitions in 1976, bringing over a quarter of a million dollars' worth of antiques, paintings, porcelains and manuscripts to Independence Park.
Completed the "VIP" room at Independence Hall's West Wing.
Funded the 318 Market Street's permanent archaeological exhibit in conjunction with the opening of the Franklin Court complex.
Served as key participant in coordinating the October 2003 "Liberty in Motion" event surrounding the move to the Liberty Bell to its new site.
Hosted nationally renowned speakers such as Walter Isaacson, David McCullough, and Gordon Wood.
Sponsored and coordinated various Friends' trips across America to explore our Nation's historic sites.
Empowered hundreds of volunteers to help the Park with educational programs and beautification projects.
Further, the Friends created Welcome Park, purchased many historical documents and artifacts, provided accessibility for those with disabilities, and developed many educational park exhibits.

Independence National Historical Park

Spanning approximately 45 acres, Independence National Historical Park (INHP) features Independence Hall, a World Heritage Site where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were created, and the Liberty Bell, an international symbol of freedom.

INHP comprises approximately 20 buildings and a variety of historic treasures that figured prominently in America's struggle for independence and the development of our nation.In addition, the park interprets events and the lives of the diverse population during the years when Philadelphia was the capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800.