Independence Seaport Museum (ISM) has announced that it is a winner in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Maritime Museum by USA TODAY 10BEST.

Carefully curated by a panel of subject matter experts and USA TODAY 10BEST editors, 20 maritime museums were nominated for “how they engage guests with stellar collections and exhibits,” according to the panel, and the nominees were then voted on by the public.

“We are so grateful to our thousands of friends and supporters across the country who voted for the ISM,” said museum CEO Peter S. Seibert. “As our mission continues to focus upon telling the history of Philadelphia as seen through the lens of the Delaware River, we look forward to bringing more exciting exhibitions, thought-provoking programs, and community outreach to the public.”

As described by USA TODAY 10BEST, “maritime museums across the country offer a fascinating glimpse into the rich history and culture of seafaring life. Often showcasing impressive collections of artifacts that tell stories of exploration, trade, and naval battles, they provide an immersive experience where visitors can learn about the evolution of maritime technology, the bravery of sailors, and the impact of the sea on global commerce and cultural exchange.” This is true for ISM: Its collections include more than 10,000 objects and one million documents that illuminate the history of the Philadelphia region as seen through the perspective of life along the Delaware River, and tell the story of Philadelphia and its environs connecting it to the larger world with the focus on the movement of people, goods, and ideas into and out of the region.

Among the collection’s treasures are Benjamin Franklin’s chart showing his published discovery of the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic; models and drawings that tell the story of eighteenth-, nineteenth-, and twentieth century shipbuilding in the region; an exceptionally rare letter carried by Captain John Green (1735-1796) abord the Empress of China on its maiden voyage seeking trade for the new nation with China, which will be on view in the new exhibition Seeking Profit and Power: Philadelphia, China Trade, and the Making of America, which opened on March 20; and a rare ship’s figurehead carving entitled Mary (also known as Peace), circa 1815-1820, which is attributed to William Rush (1756-1833) who is regarded as America’s first sculptor. In addition to these objects are the historic Olympia, a nineteenth-century cruiser, and the Becuna, a World War II-era submarine.

Independence Seaport Museum has been honored twice before by USA TODAY 10BEST. Last year, Olympia and Becuna were awarded a 2025 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Museum Ship, and, in 2021, USA Today’s readers voted Independence Seaport Museum one of the Top Ten Best History Museums of the year.

Learn more about what makes the museum one of the best in the nation at Independence Seaport Museum.