Princess Diana. Photo: Patrick Demarchelier
This update: The Diana: A Celebration exhibit will be extended through Jan. 3. Also due to popular demand the National Constitution Center open at 9:30 a.m. and close at midnight from Jan. 1 through Jan. 3 with tickets for final "Freedom Rising" show at 10 p.m. and to the Diana exhibit at 11 p.m.
David Eisner, CEO of the National Constitution Center, stated, The exhibition has resonated with visitors. By extending the dates we're ensuring that more people will be able to visit this stirring tribute to Princess Diana while also experiencing everything else the Center has to offer."
The Diana exhibit covers 10,000 square feet and features more than 150 artifacts, music, and home movies in nine galleries.
For more info: contact 215.409.6700 or visit www.consitutioncenter.org.
The original article follows below.
Twelve years after Princess Diana's fatal car accident in 1997 Americans remain enamored by her image. Philadelphia is the final destination this year for the exhibition, Diana a Celebration. "The response has been very encouraging," extols Ashley Berke, Sr. PR Manager for the National Constitution Center. More than 11,000 advanced reservations have been logged for the exhibit, which runs at the National Constitution Center until year's end.
The exhibit tells the story of Diana's life from childhood through her bursting on the scene as "the people's princess" and humanitarian force. This biography in film and artifacts is normally housed in the renovated Stable Block on her ancestral family's Althorpe Estate. Tens of thousands of tourists journey there to see the trappings of royalty and family heirlooms. They come to see childhood home movies and explore what made the Princess of Wales seem so down to earth and accessible to people in need around the world. This year the fascinating exhibit travelled to people in four countries.
"The highlight for everyone is definitely the wedding gown with its 25-foot train," Berke says about visitors to the exhibit in Philadelphia. "Childhood videos of Diana also grab everyone's attention - they are rare glimpses into her life that you don't get to see very often."
Diana's wedding gown. Courtesy Arts & Exhibit. Internl
A Special Theatrical Experience adds to the Diana exhibit, starting Monday, Nov. 2., which highlights her humanitarian work and support of the arts. This special presentation continues twice an hour on Tuesdays through Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. on Sundays until the exhibit closes. However, due to the demand for this exhibit, the National Constitution Center will open at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays from Nov. 22 - Dec. 27. Evening hours are extended from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, except January. Also note the center is closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Admission to the exhibit costs $23 per adult, $21 per senior age 65+, and $15 per child ages 4-12. Active duty military personnel and children under the age of three are admitted free of charge. Group rates are available. For more details contact 215.409.6700 or visit www.constitutioncenter.org. Due to the exhibit's popularity advance reservations are the way to go, especially for weekend visits. Admission includes the museum's permanent exhibits on national freedom in word and deed. Renting an iPod audio guide is an addition $5.
The National Constitution Center is located at 525 Arch Street on Independence Mall in Center City Philadelphia. It welcomes the public Mondays through Fridays 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Doors are open an hour later on Saturdays to 6:00 p.m. and reopens 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Hours of operation will be extended Sundays by opening 9:30 a.m. from Nov. 22 - Dec. 27 and the first Thursday of each month from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., except January.
One important item to note is that profits from Diana a Celebration benefit the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, which supports palliative care initiatives for affordable and appropriate health care. The memorial fund is a resource to initiatives for refugee and asylum seekers. It also partners with select organizations for substantive change in impoverished and war torn communities globally.
Not only does Diana a Celebration support great causes, befitting its royal nature the exhibit has a few local perks:
Enchanted Masquerade, a Halloween celebration on Saturday, Oct 24 is free with each museum admission fee. Make this a day dressed in royal finery, one and all. The child age 12 or under judged with the best costume will be crowned King or Queen for the Day and walk away with a swag bag and family membership to the museum. Visitors in costumes can also take ballroom dancing lessons provided by the Society Hill Dance Academy and etiquette classes from TLC Charm. A scavenger hunt and further fun await all young visitors.
All rights are reserved by Gloria Blakely. Copyright 2009.
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