The year was 1787. The place: the State House in Philadelphia, the same location where the Declaration of Independence had been signed 11 years earlier. For four months, 55 delegates from the several states met to frame a Constitution for a federal republic that would last into “remote futurity.” This is the story of the delegates to that convention and the framing of the federal Constitution. Use the links on this page to explore the various elements of the Convention.

Introduction to this Exhibit

---

Introduction to the Constitutional Convention

by Gordon Lloyd

---

The Constitutional Convention as a Four Act Drama

by Gordon Lloyd

---

Day-by-Day Summary of the Convention and Timeline

by Gordon Lloyd

---

Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787

by James Madison

---

The Delegates

by Gordon Lloyd

---

Convention Attendance Record

by Gordon Lloyd

---

Committee Assignments Chart

by Gordon Lloyd

---

Selected Correspondence from the Convention

Compiled by Gordon Lloyd

---

Major Themes at the Constitutional Convention

by Gordon Lloyd

---

Artistic Interpretations of the Constitutional Convention

by Gordon Lloyd and Jacklin Boyadjian 

---

Entertainment of George Washington at City Tavern in Philadelphia

---

The Constitution

---

A Four-Act Drama	Artistic Portrayals of the Convention	Attendance Record	Committee Chart
Interactive Map of Philadelphia	Intro to the Convention	Letters from the Convention	Madison’s Notes
Major Themes of the Convention	Summary of the Convention	The Delegates	The Constitution
Timeline of the Convention	Washington at City Tavern	Exhibit Home	Constitutional Convention Document Collection