DNC Host Committee Offers Interactive Festival Celebrating Political History
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Democratic National Convention Host Committee has unveiled most of the details of PoliticalFest. That's sort of the Hard Rock Cafe of politics, with memorabilia from past elections and interactive displays. Exhibits will be at seven locations, beginning the weekend before the convention.
The Host Committee has snagged some political junkies' totems: lapel buttons, C-SPAN electoral boards, a draft of the constitution -- and items with broader appeal: First Ladies' dresses, presidential shoes, White House China. Deputy Director Angela Val says each location will offer something different.
"It really will help a lot of visitors to the city, many of whom are coming for the first time, get out and about to see some of our great attractions in different areas of the city," Val said.
But PoliticalFest is also meant to help area residents feel connected to the big event that's so close, yet -- for those without credentials -- so far away.
Tickets available online at $15 for adults, $5 for children and seniors, and free for veterans get you in all seven locations.
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National Constitution Center (525 Arch Street)
Theme: Headed to the White House
The National Constitution Center will serve as the hub for PoliticalFest, and will be the only brick and mortar location where tickets to PoliticalFest will be sold.
Includes:
• Headed to the White House is the Center's feature exhibit that focuses on the presidential election process.
• Political Theater, a series of programs including:
o PoliticalFeud
o PoliticalTrivia
o One-on-one interviews with actors who have played presidents on-screen, led by Melissa Fitzgerald of "The West Wing"
o 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 "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.
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Pennsylvania Convention Center, Hall F (1101 Arch Street)
Theme: Politics and You!
Includes:
● 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
● "I Am Democracy Photo Mosaic" for which guests will take individual photos that will be transformed into a larger digital mosaic of an American flag.
• Memorabilia Store, including Host Committee merchandise from local designers like Project Runway winner Dom Streater and apparel favorite Duke & Winston, as well as rare collector's items.
● "Future Leaders Fun Zone" featuring games and other activities for children
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National Liberty Museum (321 Chestnut Street)
Theme: First Families
Includes:
• "First Ladies: Influence & Image" video, featuring stories of America's 45 First Ladies.
• A show-stopping display of featured dresses worn by First Ladies going back to Martha Washington.
• White House China dating back to George Washington.
• An exclusive photo exhibit highlighting First Families, provided by National Geographic.
• "Larger Than Life" photo wall, featuring key political figures and their impact on society.
• Johnston & Murphy Presidential Footwear Collection, highlighting 12 former presidents who wore Johnston & Murphy shoes.
• The Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement's kids program will offer a special, interactive program for K-12 students encouraging civic engagement and explaining the process of running for and winning the Presidency.
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Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent (15 S. 7th Street)
Theme: Philadelphia and the Presidency
Includes:
• Original election coverage from the Philadelphia Tribune, the nation's oldest and the Philadelphia region's largest African-American daily publication, featuring iconic front pages and landmark political moments from the paper's extensive coverage of national politics.
• 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 Philadelphia's political convention history.
• Short documentary of local collectors' historical artifacts described in their own words.
• Whistle Stop Philadelphia! will provide guests with a photo-opp with a life-size train replica, like those that were used during whistle-stop campaign tours.
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Library Company of Philadelphia (1314 Locust Street)
Theme: Presidential Archives
Includes:
• Presidential Libraries
• Exhibit featuring writings, photographs and artifacts from the museum's own collection, including:
o A life mask of George Washington;
o A death mask of Abraham Lincoln;
o Rare books, graphics, and manuscripts about the founding of the nation;
o Women in American politics;
o 19th-century African-American political conventions.
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Historical Society of Philadelphia (1300 Locust Street)
Theme: Founding Documents
Includes:
• "Behind The Ballot," an interactive exhibit provided by the city of Birmingham, Alabama, highlighting the Civil Rights Act and the Voters Rights Act, as well as a look back at the events that took place in 1963.
• Proof of Declaration of Independence
• Samples of Articles of Confederation
• Draft of the Constitution of the United States
• "We the People" collection, including:
o Constitution of Women's Suffrage Association with a note by Susan B. Anthony
o Lithograph of the Emancipation Proclamation
o Map of part of Bucks County released by the Indians to the "Proprietaries of Pensilvania" in September 1737
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Heritage Center at the Union League (140 S. Broad Street)
Theme: Political Conventions in Philadelphia
Includes:
● Sweep the Country: Political Conventions in Philadelphia, an exhibit that tells the stories of the 11 conventions held in Philadelphia.
