Independence Park is falling apart

The U.S. government isn't paying to keep up the place where it was born — and the city of Philadelphia isn't helping much either.

Air Date: July 8, 2019

Philadelphia's Independence National Historical Park has $51 million in deferred maintenance. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

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Independence National Historical Park is the fourth most visited national park in the country, but Philadelphia Magazine reporter David Murrell says it’s falling apart. During his visits to Independence Hall and other buildings in the park, he documented peeling paint, plaster falling off walls, and, in some cases, serious safety issues. Why isn’t Independence Hall and its park better maintained? And what does that say about the American government that was born there?

Disclosure: WHYY President Bill Marrazzo is chair of the Independence Historical Trust.

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