Independence is an L-shaped park in Philadelphia that includes 36 historic sites and museums ranging from Independence Hall and Liberty Bell Center to a complex of buildings that were owned by Benjamin Franklin and were home to his printing business. In the clutter and complexity of the urban streetscape, Meeker & Associates created a communications plan that establishes a cohesive sense of place while guiding and informing visitors with signage that is sensitive to the city’s colonial history without being a replication. The signage also incorporates National Park Service identity elements.

Scale, readability, and appropriateness to a site are critical when signs are being added to a national treasure of the stature of Independence NHP. We built these lightweight mock-ups in our studio model shop and placed them at various locations, so we could review with the client. Scaling signage in public places is a sensitive balancing act.