2026 & Beyond

In our first six years, we welcomed more than a million visitors to experience our award-winning, object-rich, and immersive core galleries which explore the diverse people and complex events that sparked the ongoing American experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. The exhibits explore the origins, experiences, and ongoing legacy of the American Revolution through hundreds of authentic Revolutionary-era artifacts, engaging films, touchscreen interactives, hands-on elements, and more.

The Declaration has always meant far more than independence, and its influence has grown as generations of Americans, and people from many other nations, have considered the meaning of its promise of equality and its assertions about the purposes of government. Opening in Fall 2025, this groundbreaking special exhibition will engage new and existing audiences in an ongoing conversation that can inspire new understandings of the Declaration as a vital point of reference and aspiration for America and its citizenry.

From launching innovative online resources to hosting virtual conversations that speak to the challenges of today through the lens of the past, we continue to expand and enhance our digital programming and capabilities, extending our reach around the world. Some of our recently launched digital initiatives include our popular multimedia Timeline of the American Revolution, our award-winning Finding Freedom digital interactive, and a variety of virtual exhibits. Looking ahead, digital projects in the lead-up to 2026 include:

• A robust digital interactive in The Declaration’s Journey special exhibition and online
• A digital humanities project utilizing our Patriots of Color Archive to launch in 2025
• A virtual version of our Posters of Protest touchscreen interactive from our core galleries

Object-based learning is a core tenet of the Museum experience. It is a powerful tool for teaching and engaging our various onsite and online audiences, and new acquisitions and curatorial scholarship play an important role in raising the Museum’s national profile, reach and impact. Our existing collection of roughly 5,000 items has been constantly expanding in recent years through donations and strategic acquisitions.

To meet rising demand for access to the collection, to support expanded exhibitions and digital programs, and to ensure the highest level of stewardship of this nationally significant collection, the Museum will invest in staffing, new collections management and digital asset management systems, and other related equipment and systems as we look ahead to 2026.

From thought-provoking programs with leading historians and scholars to musical collaborations and family programming, we deliver a rich and engaging variety of mission-driven programs that serve many audiences, both onsite and online. As we approach 2026, we will enhance and expand our slate of programs and events and will explore the continued impact of the American Revolution and its relevance to our lives today. Our popular programs include:

• Read the Revolution Speaker Series
• The Carl M. Buchholz Memorial Lecture
• The Lenfest Spirit of the American Revolution Award
• First Oval Office Project and other living history initiatives
• AmRev Presents lectures, panel discussions, and musical events

We are committed to reaching diverse communities through initiatives like our:

• Citizenship Initiative and naturalization ceremonies
• African American Interpretive Program, including our Living History Youth Summer Institute and Meet the Revolution series of living history interpretation
• Family programs including Revolution at the Library and History Explorers
• Accessibility initiatives

We plan to expand and deepen these initiatives and others in the years to come as we work to engage all people in America’s founding story in 2026 and beyond.