Editing Independence Hall (section)

== Legal Framework ==
Both the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence,]] 1776, and the [[Constitution of the United States]], 1787, were discussed, adopted, and signed at this building which as a result became a symbol of freedom and democracy and a very important step in the American history that later had significant impacts on lawmakers, political thinkers and governmental charters around the world. This fact gave the building a direct association with events and ideas of outstanding universal significance fulfilling the criterion (vi) and designating it into a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]] in 1979.<ref name="whc.unesco.org">{{Cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/78/ |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=whc.unesco.org}}</ref>

The site is managed, as a part of [[Independence National Historical Park]], at a national level by the [[National Park Service Organic Act]] of 1916, which united the individual national parks’ management and aims for the preservation of historic sites for public enjoyment and education for future generations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Mailing Address: 100 Great Basin National Park |last2=pm |first2=NV 89311 Phone: 775-234-7331 Available 8:00 am- 4:00 |last3=Thanksgiving |first3=Monday through Friday Closed on |last4=Christmas |last5=Us |first5=New Year's Day Contact |title=Organic Act of 1916 - Great Basin National Park (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/grba/learn/management/organic-act-of-1916.htm |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=www.nps.gov |language=en}}</ref>

The 1948 law, by [[Harry S. Truman|President Harry S. Truman]], created the Independence National Historical Park consisting of the Independence Hall, [[Congress Hall]], the [[Liberty Bell]], and other historic buildings important for the nation. This inclusion increased the protection level and the World Heritage Status of Independence Hall to the highest level as the National Park system is maintained by the federal government.

The [[National Historic Preservation Act]] of 1966 provides a framework for the preservation of historic properties and encourages federal agencies to consider the effects of their undertakings on historic sites. "Access at all reasonable times to all public portions of the property," and that "no changes or alterations should be made in...its buildings and grounds... except by mutual agreement between the Secretary of the Interior and the [City of Philadelphia]..."<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 - Archeology (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/archeology/national-historic-preservation-act.htm |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=www.nps.gov |language=en}}</ref>

The comprehensive General Management Plan for Independence National Historical Park, developed by the National Park Service, addresses interpretation, visitor management, conservation efforts, carrying capacity issues, and the maintenance of the site’s historical integrity. They organize the balance between public access and the protection of the building’s physical and historical resources.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Philadelphia |first=Mailing Address: 143 S. 3rd Street |last2=Us |first2=PA 19106 Phone: 215-965-2305 Contact |title=75th_Anniversary - Independence National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/news/75th_anniversary.htm |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=www.nps.gov |language=en}}</ref>

Sustaining integrity, authenticity and the outstanding universal value of the building, as [[UNESCO]] also indicates, will require managing the degradation due to environmental factors like pollutants, and anthropogenic factors like the number of visitors, urban development plans and the level of interventions which are limited to structural stabilization.<ref name="whc.unesco.org"/>