Celebrate Revolutionary women throughout Women's History Month this March at the Museum. Plan Your Visit

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Occupied Philadelphia

Join us each fall as we recreate the dark days of the British occupation with the Museum’s annual flagship living history event.

British soldiers march towards the Museum led by a drummer as part of the Museum's Occupied Philadelphia living history event in 2019.

Occupied Philadelphia

In the fall of 1777, Philadelphia — the Revolutionary capital at the time — was seized by the British and occupied for nine long months, with Independence Hall serving as a prison for American prisoners-of-war. Throughout a select fall weekend each year, the Museum explores what life was like in the city while British forces controlled it through guided walking tours, special programming, and family-friendly activities. Each year, you can meet dozens of costumed historical interpreters portraying soldiers, civilians, and spies on the Museum’s outdoor plaza and additional locations in our Old City neighborhood. Stay tuned for 2024 details!

Meet the Revolution

Meet the Revolution is an ongoing series of costumed living history programs that explore the voices, viewpoints, and experiences of the diverse people of the Revolutionary era.

Meet The Revolution historical interpreter Daniel Sieh
 

Meet the Revolution: Daniel Sieh

Daniel Sieh discusses his work bringing Asian and Asian American history to the forefront and his ongoing research on the role Asian people played in the American Revolution.
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Image 102320 Meet Revolution Noah Lewis Ned Hector
 

Meet the Revolution: Noah Lewis

Historical interpreter Noah Lewis discusses his portrayal of Edward "Ned" Hector, a free African American man and soldier who fought in the Revolutionary War.
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Image 102320 Meet Revolution Kalela Williams Occupied Moaroccupy 28sept2019
 

Meet the Revolution: Kalela Williams

Historical interpreter Kalela Williams discusses the character she portrays – an African American teacher in Philadelphia in the 1790s.
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Artisan Field Trips

In the 1700s, young people served seven-year apprenticeships to learn skilled trades. Just like today, people had specialized jobs. The Museum's Artisan Field Trips feature video interviews with living history artisans and makers as they demonstrate their Revolutionary-era crafts. 

Image 110520 Mitch Yates Gunmaker Artisan Field Trip 2
 

Artisan Field Trip with Gunmaker Mitch Yates (Part 2)

Museum Gallery Interpretation Manager Tyler Putman catches up with gunmaker Mitch Yates to discuss Yates' progress on reproducing a rare 1775 John Christian Oerter rifle for the Museum.
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Ben Bartgis demonstrates historical writing techniques to a young History After Hours attendee
 

Artisan Field Trip with Stationer Ben Bartgis

Ben Bartgis joins Museum Gallery Interpretation Manager Tyler Putman to discuss their work as a stationer using historical techniques.
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Blacksmith Aislinn Lewis
Fred Blystone 

Artisan Field Trip with Blacksmith Aislinn Lewis

Aislinn Lewis joins Museum Gallery Interpretation Manager Tyler Putman to discuss her work as a blacksmith using historical techniques at Colonial Williamsburg's Anderson Blacksmith Shop.
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Kirsten Hammerstrom at Occupied Philadelphia in 2017
 

Artisan Field Trip with Milliner Kirsten Hammerstrom

Kirsten Hammerstrom joins Museum Gallery Interpretation Manager Tyler Putman to discuss her work as a milliner using historical techniques.
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Image 110520 Mitch Yates Gunmaker Artisan Field Trip
 

Artisan Field Trip with Gunmaker Mitch Yates

Mitch Yates discusses his work as a gunmaker using historical techniques and recreating a replica Johann Christian Oerter rifle for the Museum.
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Paul McClintock, Bookbinder
 

Artisan Field Trip with Bookbinder Paul McClintock

Paul McClintock joins Museum Gallery Interpretation Manager Tyler Putman to discuss his work as a bookbinder using historical techniques.
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Image 041020 Shaun Pekar Artisan Field Trip Pekar 2
 

Artisan Field Trip with Shoemaker Shaun Pekar

Shaun Pekar joins Museum Gallery Interpretation Manager Tyler Putman to discuss his work as a shoemaker using historical techniques.
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Image 040920 Brian Mcdonald Artisan Field Trip Moaroccupy Carpenteratcarpentershall 28sept2019 2
 

Artisan Field Trip with Joiner Brian McDonald

Joiner Brian McDonald joins Museum Gallery Interpretation Manager Tyler Putman to discuss his carpentry work.
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Image 040320 Jana Violante Artisan Field Trip
 

Artisan Field Trip with Costume Maker Jana Violante

Historic costume maker Jana Violante joins Museum Gallery Interpretation Manager Tyler Putman to discuss her work as a seamstress.
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Freedom on the Horizon Performance

Image 102220 Nastassia Parker

"Freedom on the Horizon" Performed by Nastassia Parker

Actress and historical interpreter Nastassia Parker portrays Ona Judge, an enslaved woman who ran away from George and Martha Washington’s household in Philadelphia, in a 20-minute, one-woman theatrical piece, “Freedom on the Horizon.”

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Living History at Home Cooking Demonstrations

What were the Continental soldiers eating while on campaign during the Revolutionary War? The Museum's Living History at Home cooking demonstrations take you through making foods of the Revolutionary era.

Living History at Home Cooking Demo Making Posset
 

Living History at Home: Making Posset

The Museum's Tyler Putman and Mark Turdo mix up a festive drink, show examples of posset cups found in an archaeological dig at the site of the Museum, and talk about the history of the drink.

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Image 112420 Living History Rice Vinegar Cooking Demo Rice1 Moment
 

Living History at Home: Making Rice & Vinegar

Watch as Gallery Interpretation Manager Tyler Putman prepares a simple dish of rice and vinegar that Continental soldier Joseph Plumb Martin remembered having as a Thanksgiving meal.
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Image 122320 Living History Home Cooking Demo Humphreys Tavern Dinner
 

Living History at Home: A Humphreys's Tavern Meal

Join Museum Gallery Interpretation Manager Tyler Putman and public historian Nicole Belolan in the kitchen as they cook a chicken and potatoes meal like what Mary Humphreys and Quansheba may have cooked up in the tavern.
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Image 102320 Cooking Demo Hard Bread
 

Living History at Home: Making Hard Bread

Watch Tyler Putman, Gallery Interpretation Manager at the Museum, demonstrate how to make hard bread from flour, water, and salt.
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Image 051420 Cooking Demo Gingerbread Gingerbread3 Moment
 

Living History at Home: Making Gingerbread

Tyler Putman, the Museum's Gallery Interpretation Manager, demonstrates how to make an 18th-century gingerbread recipe.
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Image 102320 Cooking Demo Roasting Pumpkin
 

Living History at Home: Roasting a Pumpkin

Watch Tyler Putman, Gallery Interpretation Manager at the Museum, demonstrate how to cook a pumpkin, inspired by Joseph Plumb Martin's words.
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