The Historical Society of Montclair State University invited students on a field trip to historic Philadelphia for the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, on April 12.
A registered student organization of the student government association, the Historical Society offers a welcoming community where students can interact with history through engaging lectures, activities and field trips.
In Philadelphia, students were given an enriching, firsthand introduction to America’s origin story — and were encouraged to think critically about the diverse voices who compose it.
Students and trip attendees gather in the lobby of the National Constitution Center. Photo credit: Cade Watson
Students gather for a guided tour of the National Constitution Center's newest exhibit, "America's Founding." Photo credit: Cade Watson
Attendees were first taken on a guided tour of the newest gallery within the National Constitution Center, a nonpartisan museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution and its composition. Titled “America’s Founding,” this exhibit combines effective storytelling with historical fact to provide visitors with an interactive learning experience.
Students were then treated to an engaging theatrical performance in the Center’s Sidney Kimmel Theater titled “Freedom Rising,” where the triumphs and missteps of America’s pursuit of independence are addressed into the present.
The Historical Society’s Treasurer, Abel Molina, a sophomore majoring in accounting and minoring in business, highlights how certain exhibits of the center navigate the negative and positive components of American history.
“This is an amazing time to celebrate the country, but going to these museums, you see the dark spots of the country you might want to forget,” Molina said. “I think the beauty of it is that you do remember it.”
Visitors protest Trump's recent executive order to remove slavery exhibits from President Washington's former home. Photo credit: Cade Watson
For the second destination, students walked a short distance to a deconstructed house previously lived in by the first U.S. President, George Washington. Following President Trump’s controversial executive order in March of 2025, several exhibits acknowledging the history of slavery entwined with Washington’s legacy were removed.
Vice president of the Historical Society, senior history major Madison Seigle-Chisholm, emphasized the significance of these exhibits and the consequences of their removal.
“When we went to the president’s house in Philadelphia, we saw all the signs of black history taken down,” Seigle-Chisholm said. “This involved enslavement in the eighteenth century, which is a big part of America’s founding and history. We saw this being silenced. If people don’t know about it, they’ll go on as if it never happened.”
Inside of Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Photo credit: Cade Watson
Next, attendees traveled to Independence Hall, a historic building where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. Students were guided by a National Park Service (NPS) ranger through the rooms in which delegates met nearly 250 years ago.
One of many statues photographed within the Museum of the American Revolution. Photo credit: Cade Watson
Lastly, students were given time to explore the Museum of the American Revolution, a location with galleries dedicated to the legacies of George Washington, John Adams and Alexander Hamilton, but also that of Frederick Douglas, Harvey Milk and members of the Oneida Indian Nation.
Delilah Milhalko, a sophomore double-majoring in history and classics with a minor in archeology, is a member of the Historical Society and believes that the 250th anniversary is a time for both celebration and reflection.
Historical Society members Tori Berrios (left) and Delilah Mihalko (right) in front of Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia. Photo credit: Cade Watson
“It’s worth celebrating that we were colonies that came together… but I think that critical thinking is very important because it puts into perspective that we’re in a similar situation right now, and maybe we should take action,” said Mihalko.
Cade Watson, president of the Historical Society and a senior majoring in public and digital history, organized the trip with the intention of giving students an interactive experience that addresses the more complicated truths of American history.
“I’m a firm believer in the idea of America. It is an intensely complicated idea. Our highest ideal is that everyone is entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but we’ve really struggled for 250 years to live up to that idea,” said Watson.
E-board members of the Historical Society in front of Carpenters' Hall, listed from left to right: Jay Lucinario, Madison Seigle-Chisholm, Cade Watson, Abel Molina. Photo credit: Cade Watson
Furthermore, Watson hopes that the next 250 years of the United States bring about positive changes and that such feats are accomplished through unity.
“In the next 250 years, all of us as a nation could just come together and work to build the nation that we want… If you want to see change in your community, the only way that’s going to happen is if you are the one driving that change.”
The complicated origin story of the United States is shaped by many diverse figures. Despite a volatile, ever-changing political climate, Montclair State University’s own Historical Society demonstrates how everyone has a place within that story, and that the fight for liberty is ongoing.
