---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 407o"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "407o"
heading: "Construction of buildings; acceptance of donations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/407o"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter LI — Independence National Historical Park"
---

# §407o. Construction of buildings; acceptance of donations


The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, in his discretion, is authorized to construct upon a portion of the land described in [section 407m of this title](/usc/16/407m.md), or upon other land that may be donated for such purpose, which property he is authorized to accept, such offices and administration buildings as he may deem advisable, together with a suitable auditorium for the interpretation of the historical features of the national historical [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3). The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior is also authorized to accept donations of property of national historical significance located in the city of Philadelphia which the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may deem proper for administration as part of the Independence National Historical [Park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3). Any property donated for the purposes of this section shall become a part of the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3), following its establishment, upon acceptance by the United States of title to such donated property. The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior is authorized to permit the American Philosophical Society, a nonprofit corporation, without cost to the United States, to construct, operate, and maintain in the [park](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-3) a building to be located on approximately the original site of historic Library Hall to house the library of the American Philosophical Society and any [additions](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) to said library, such permission to be granted the society pursuant to a lease, contract, or authorization without charge, on such terms and conditions as may be approved by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) and accepted by the society, and for such length of time as the society shall continue to use the said building for the housing, display, and use of a library and scientific and historical collections: Provided, That the plans for the construction of the building and any [additions](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) thereto shall be approved by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior.


## Source credit

(June 28, 1948, ch. 687, § 3, 62 Stat. 1062; July 10, 1952, ch. 653, § 2, 66 Stat. 575.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1952—Act July 10, 1952, inserted last sentence.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Acquisition of Land Encroached Upon by Deshler-Morris House

Pub. L. 85–702, Aug. 21, 1958, 72 Stat. 701, provided: “That, for the purpose of placing in Government ownership a small strip of land encroached upon by the Deshler-Morris House, which was donated to the United States and accepted as a part of Independence National Historical Park pursuant to section 3 of the Act of June 28, 1948 (62 Stat. 1061) [this section], the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to acquire the following land:

“Beginning at a point on the southwesterly side of Germantown Avenue at the distance of 165 feet 7½ inches southeastwardly from the southeasterly side of School House Lane, in the 22d ward of the city of Philadelphia; thence extending south 41 degrees 50 minutes 46 seconds west 44 feet to a point; thence extending north 48 degrees 58 minutes 40 seconds west 6 feet 1 inch to a point; thence extending south 42 degrees 8 minutes 17 seconds west 106 feet 4 inches to a point of corner; thence extending south 48 degrees 58 minutes 40 seconds east 12 feet 1½ inches to a point of corner; thence extending north 41 degrees 50 minutes 46 seconds east 150 feet 3⅞ inches to the southwesterly side of Germantown Avenue; thence extending north 48 degrees 58 minutes 40 seconds west along the southwesterly side of Germantown Avenue 5 feet 6 inches to the first mentioned point and place of beginning.”