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

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Image 090420 Privateer Sloop Ship Galleries Museumofamericanrevolution J Fusco 63
Jeff Fusco

Sail into Spring Weekends at the Museum to explore life at sea during the Revolutionary War on Saturdays and Sundays throughout April. Join us for a new special exhibition, neighborhood walking tours, family-friendly crafts, in-gallery talks, and stories to learn more about the Continental Navy and privateers.

Special Exhibition: Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia
Onsite (Patriots Gallery) | Daily

In the Museum’s newest special exhibition, explore the life and legacy of free Black Philadelphian, Revolutionary War privateer, 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. At a recreated sail loft workshop in the exhibit, learn about the tools of Forten’s sailmaking business.

In-Gallery Talks: Tools of the Trade in Black Founders
Onsite (Patriots Gallery) | Saturdays & Sundays

Join a Museum educator for a 10-minute talk in Black Founders throughout the weekend to learn about the life of James Forten as a sailmaker, explore replica 18th-century tools for sailmaking, and try your hand at sewing sail cloth or using a fid.

Revolution Place
Onsite (Lower Level) | Saturdays & Sundays, 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.
Note: Revolution Place is open daily, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., from April 1-16.

Craft: Make-Your-Own Paper Sloop
Onsite (Robert A. M. Stern Rotunda) | Saturdays & Sundays

Did you know that a single-mast sailboat is called a sloop? In the Museum’s Rotunda, young guests are invited to color and decorate their own small sloops and sails to take home with them. Be sure to climb aboard our recreated sloop in the core galleries during your visit. 

Stories on Deck: Life at Sea
Onsite (Core Galleries) | Saturdays & Sundays
All hands on deck on the Museum’s replica sloop! Join a Museum educator for a story about what life was like at sea during the Revolutionary War. 

True Colours Flag Project
Onsite (Oneida Nation Atrium) | Daily

See flags on display from the Museum's True Colours Flag Project, an initiative to recreate a "suit of colours" or set of flags carried by naval and privateer ships during the Revolutionary War. Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the accompanying family guide to learn more about the large, recreated flags.

Neighborhood Walking Tour: Revolutionary City & Black Founders of Philadelphia
Old City Neighborhood | Black Founders: Saturdays, 2 p.m. & Revolutionary City: Sundays, 2 p.m.
Additional Ticket Required: $34 for walking tour only (non-members), $45 for walking tour plus Museum admission (non-members), $24 for Members

Join an educator to explore our Revolutionary neighborhood and imagine what life was like in the 1700s! Our Revolutionary City walking tour covers about a mile over an hour and a half with stops outside iconic sites including City Tavern, Independence Hall, and Carpenters Hall to discuss the experiences of everyday people in the Revolutionary era. Our Black Founders of Philadelphia walking tour will visit sites of Old City Philadelphia's rich Black history, including the location of the James Forten's family household near Fourth and Lombard St.

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A father holds his child as they look at the Forten family tree in the Museum's Black Founders exhibit.
 

Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia

February 11 - November 26, 2023
Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia explored the story of James Forten and his descendants as they navigated the American Revolution and cross-racial relationships in Philadelphia to later become leaders in the abolition movement in the lead-up to the Civil War.
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A visitor engagement associate educates families on the Privateer Ship in the galleries.
Jeff Fusco 

Walking & Guided Tours

Choose from walking, guided, audio, highlights, and touch tour options to explore the Museum with an expert.
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Image 032822 Declaration Of Independence Family Galleries
 

Plan Your Visit

View our ticket prices, upcoming events, tour options, and more to plan your next visit to the Museum.
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