Who Built Independence Hall?

Builders in Pennsylvania built Independence Hall under the direction of the Pennsylvania Colonial Legislature and the architect/carpenter who designed it.

Independence Hall was commissioned by the Pennsylvania Colonial legislature in 1732, and was designed by architect and carpenter Edmund Woolley.

Interestingly enough, a less-experienced architect named Andrew Hamilton was an associate of Woolley’s, and contributed to the work on Independence Hall, but is often given credit for the entire project; nobody is quite sure where this misinformation began.

How Independence Hall Was Built

Independence Hall is a classic building made from red brick in the traditional Georgian style associated with that time period in America.

• Independence Hall was not completed until 1753, because it could only be constructed as funds became available.
• The Pennsylvania Colonial legislature had commissioned the building as a State House, which it remained until 1799.
• In the early 1800s the building was sold to the City of Philadelphia and today it’s a popular attraction for history buffs and tourists.

Independence Hall is the building pictured on the back of the United States $100 dollar bill.

Features of Independence Hall

The building is best known for its bell tower, which was the original location of what is known as the Liberty Bell. The original Liberty Bell was removed from the tower and placed on display (and under protection) across the street from Independence Hall in the Liberty Bell Center. The bell tower now houses a Centennial Bell in place of the original, which was crafted during a ceremony in 1876.