The surprising story of how an ordinary buildingbecame--finally--a chief symbol of the American Founding and its politicalideals. Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence wassigned 250 years ago, is today a beloved American shrine and an internationalsymbol of political liberty. Yet it was not always so. In Independence Hall:The History of an American Icon , one of our most accomplished andprovocative historians unspools the surprising story of Independence Hall'sorigins, varied uses, and ultimate rise to national-landmark status. D. G. Hart, a Philadelphia native, has an eye for thefascinating and incongruous. He tells not only the stories surrounding thesigning of the Declaration of Independence and the framing of the Constitution.

He also reveals Benjamin Franklin's connection with Independence Hall'sorigins, how the building later became America's first natural history museum(led by quirky portraitist Charles Wilson Peale), why Abraham Lincoln lay instate there following his assassination, the role of Kevin Bacon's father, Edmund,in creating Independence National Park, and why it took so long for the nationto recognize Independence Hall's significance and meaning. Written for the general reader, everyone interested in ournational story will find this quintessentially American history eye-opening andentertaining.