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Located at the corner of 6th and Market Streets, The President’s House historical site will interpret the paradox of freedom and slavery at the birth of the nation. (Image courtesy The President's House)

On Wednesday, December 15th, the long-anticipated President’s House historical site — officially titled The President’s House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation — will celebrate its grand opening on Independence Mall.

After a decade of passionate debate, national attention and unprecedented collaboration, the powerful President’s House interpretive site is finally ready for its public debut.

The open-air site will explore the paradox of slavery and freedom at the first executive mansion, home to Presidents George Washington and John Adams while Philadelphia served as the young nation’s capital.

Through video vignettes and illustrated Porcelite and glass panels, the site will tell a brief history of the house and the story of the nine enslaved Africans that lived there during Washington’s presidency. A glass vitrine will allow visitors to view the archeological fragments that were surprisingly uncovered during 2007′s dig.

Just a few feet from one of America’s most iconic symbols of freedom, the Liberty Bell, sits a small glass structure that will serve as a memorial to the enslaved Africans and is intended to be a place for reflection.

Overall, the President’s House will provide visitors with an expanded context of this important time in America’s history.

Tickets will not be required to experience the President’s House site, which will be free and available to the public 24 hours a day when it opens next Wednesday. The spacious, open site was specifically designed with visitors in mind and features multiple points of entry, allowing visitors to create their own path through the site.

For more information about the development, history and future of The President’s House site, visit the official website on Phila.gov or the other official website from the National Park Service.

The President’s House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation officially opens on Wednesday, December 15 at 12 noon with a special ribbon cutting ceremony, which is open to the public.

The President’s House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation
When: Official ribbon cutting ceremony — December 15th at noon
Where: Independence Mall, 6th and Market Streets
Cost: Free