Flag Day & Father's Day Weekend 2024 at the Museum

On June 14, 1777, Congress passed the first Flag Act, adopting the 13-star flag as the official flag of the new United States. Join the Museum from Flag Day, June 14, through Father's Day, June 16, to learn about flags of “all kinds of colours” from the Revolutionary era with activities and in-gallery talks for the whole family. Don't forget to pick up a free mini American flag, courtesy of the Patriotic Order Sons of America.

Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington's Tent
Onsite (Patriots Gallery) | Daily, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Our newest special exhibition greatly expands the story told in the Museum’s award-winning Washington's War Tent film and brings to life the stories of individuals from all walks of life who saved George Washington’s tent from being lost over the generations and who ultimately fashioned this relic into a symbol of the fragile American republic.

Revolution Place
Onsite (lower level) | Daily, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Explore Revolution Place, the Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, which brings to life Old City’s lively, diverse neighborhood during the1700s and invites visitors to learn through hands-on exploration. Kids of all ages can immerse themselves in four historical environments – a military encampment, a tavern, a parlor, and an 18th-century meeting house – to experience the places where the American Revolution took root. Don't miss a chance to create your own flag with your own colors and symbols to take home with you.

Patriotic Order Sons of America
Onsite (Museum Plaza) | June 14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The Patriotic Order Sons of America will be on Museum's outdoor plaza (weather permitting) handing out free mini American flags and discussing the organization's work honoring the American flag and preserving local, state, and national historic landmarks. Don't miss a selfie station inspired by this year's 75th anniversary of President Harry Truman signing the Act of Congress to designate Flag Day. The Patriotic Order Sons of America is a non-profit fraternal organization founded in 1847 by Dr. Reynell Coates, a Philadelphia physician, teacher and poet, who wanted to educate young men in citizenship and patriotism. 

Meet Joseph Plumb Martin Performance
Onsite (Alan B. Miller Theater) | Saturday & Sunday, 1:15 p.m. & 3:15 p.m.
Experience the Museum’s first-person theatrical performance portraying Continental Army soldier Joseph Plumb Martin, performed by Chris Roche and written by Ryan Schwartz. Martin was one of the thousands of teenaged soldiers in General George Washington's army. He wanted to prove he was "as warm a patriot as the best of them." In June 1776, he left Milford, Conn. and joined the Continental Army in New York City. Martin went on to write Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier, which was published in 1830 and is one of the best-known Revolutionary War memoirs depicting the life of an ordinary soldier.

Meet the Revolution: Sydney Marenburg
Onsite | Daily
Join costumed living historian Sydney Marenburg for conversations on the intersections of economics, class, gender, and race in the United States. Sydney has conducted original research into industrial soap production in the 18th century, as well as the position of servants and immigrants to the American colonies.

On Display: True Colours Flag Project
Onsite (Oneida Nation Atrium) | Daily
The Museum’s handsewn, replica “suit of colours” will be back on display for Flag Day. Learn more about the process of recreating — and the history behind — these huge flags flown by 18th-century ships at sea during the Revolutionary War. Sponsorship for the project was provided by The Color Guard of the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution.

In-Gallery Talks: Liberty and Forster Flags
Onsite (Core Galleries) | Daily
Enjoy a 10-minute pop-up talk to learn more about the Liberty flag and the Forster flag on display at the Museum. The Liberty flag, on loan from the Schenectady Historical Society, is the only surviving example from the Revolutionary War and is believed to have been carried by a New York regiment in 1776 and 1777. The Forster flag, on loan from Brian and Barbara Hendelson, may be one of the earliest American flags to have been altered after the Declaration of Independence; it is clear that the British Union was removed from it and the white fabric has been reworked to create stripes.  

Rebecca Flower Young Discovery Cart
Onsite 
Flagmaker Rebecca Flower Young advertised “all kinds of colours” for the Revolutionary cause from her shop here in Philadelphia. Meet a Museum educator to view replica objects and learn more about Young’s work as a military contractor making flags and drum cases for the Continental Army.

Handheld Washington Standard Giveaway
Onsite
Visitors to the Museum on Flag Day will receive a handheld version of General George Washington's Standard, the headquarters flag in the Museum's collection that is said to have marked his presence throughout the Revolutionary War.