Labor Day Weekend 2023 at the Museum

Over Labor Day weekend, join the Museum to explore our Black Founders special exhibit, participate in family-friendly activities and crafts, and more as we wrap up A Revolutionary Summer. Children 12 years old and younger will receive free Museum admission throughout the holiday weekend (available for in-Museum purchase only).

Special Exhibit: Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia
Onsite (Patriots Gallery) | Daily, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
In the Museum’s current special exhibition, explore the life and legacy of free Black Philadelphian, Revolutionary War privateer, and successful businessman James Forten and his descendants as they navigated the American Revolution and cross-racial relationships in Philadelphia to become leaders in the abolition movement in the lead-up to the Civil War and the women's suffrage movement. 

Plus, join a Museum educator at the "Brave Men as Ever Fought" painting by artist Don Troiani to learn more about the Black and Native American troops of the Rhode Island Regiment marching past the Pennsylvania State House (now Indepenedence Hall) en route to Yorktown on Sept. 2, 1781, a scene that was witnessed by James Forten on his 15th birthday.

Guided Gallery Tours & Neighborhood Walking Tours
Onsite | Options Vary Daily
Additional Ticket Required for Tours
Explore the Museum and its historic neighborhood with an expert guide! Tour options include 90-minute outdoor walking tours that explore iconic sites in the Museum’s historic Old City neighborhood, hour-long tours of our core galleries, hour-long early-access guided tours for a private experience, and audio tours. 

Revolution Place
Onsite (lower level) | Daily, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place, will be open daily to explore the Museum’s lively, diverse Old City neighborhood during the 1700s through hands-on exploration in four key recreated historical environments, including a military encampment, a tavern, a home, and an 18th-century meeting house. Plus, don't miss a chance to decorate your own paper sloop inspired by the privateering adventures of James Forten seen in our Black Founders exhibit.

On Display: True Colours Flag Project
Onsite (Oneida Nation Atrium) | Daily
The Museum’s handsewn, replica “suit of colours” will be on display for one final summer weekend. 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.

Craft: Make-Your-Own Rhode Island Regiment Cap
Onsite (Robert A.M. Stern Rotunda) | Daily
Design a cap like those worn by the Black and Native American troops of the Rhode Island Regiment who marched through Philadelphia on their way to Yorktown on Sept. 2, 1781.

Discovery Cart: Black Soldiers of the Revolution
Onsite | Daily , 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Join a Museum educator to view and handle replica objects to learn more about the service of Black soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Plus, learn more about the Museum’s Patriots of Color Archive featuring nearly 200 documents bearing the names of Black and Native American soldiers who served in the Continental Army.

Fort Mifflin's Private Yankee Doodle Weekend
Offsite (Fort Mifflin) | Sept. 2-3
Explore daily life in the Fort Mifflin garrison with the 4th Connecticut Regiment and try your hand at some of the tasks to improve the Fort’s defenses, including the construction of a scale model of a chevaux de frise, an underwater obstacle that was a feat of 18th century military engineering. Plus, join Museum educators at Fort Mifflin for special activities, while members of Fort Mifflin's team will be at the Museum for activities about Joseph Plumb Martin and postcard writing.