Winter Break: Final Days of Witness to Revolution Exhibit

Throughout Winter Break at the Museum from Dec. 21 through Jan. 5, join us for the final days of our Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington's Tent special exhibition and to explore life during the winter months of the American Revolution with wintery scenes in Revolution Place, hands-on activities, engaging in-gallery talks, and more for the whole family.

Please note that the Museum will be closed on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and New Year's Day, Jan. 1.

Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington's Tent
Onsite (Patriots Gallery) | Daily, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
See Witness to Revolution before it closes on Sunday, Jan. 5! The 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. Plus, join a Museum educator for a 10-minute, in-gallery talk to learn more about Washington’s tent being set up in the snow after the war.  

Revolution Place
Onsite (lower level) | Daily, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Explore the Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place, which will transform into the winter of 1778! Walk through a scene of frost-covered windows, logs piled by the fire, and 18th-century coats and cloaks as you learn about what Philadelphia would have been like in the snowy winter months and how they celebrated the winter holidays. 

“Meet Joseph Plumb Martin” Performances
Onsite (Alan B. Miller Theater) | Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 21-22, and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 28-29, at 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.

Winter Garments in the Revolutionary Era
Onsite | Saturday, Dec. 21-Monday, Dec. 30, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
What did people wear to stay warm during the cold winter months in the late 18th century? Drop by this station to learn the answers from and Museum educator – and maybe even try a few replica items on! 

In-Gallery Talk: Children’s Toys
Onsite | Daily
Join a Museum educator for a 10-minute in-gallery talk about children’s toys, on loan to the Museum from the New-York Historical Society, that were excavated from British Revolutionary War campsites around New York City. The toys, which include a miniature lamb, goose, broom, and platter, are reminders that the children of British soldiers accompanied the army and camp followers in America.

In-Gallery Talk: Winter Scenes of the Revolution
Onsite | Daily at 1:30 p.m.
Join a Museum educator for a 30-minute, in-gallery talk, including stops at two wintery tableau scenes in the core galleries. The first scene depicts a brawl in Harvard Yard where Continental soldiers from different regions fought each other in camp. As an older man writing his pension application, Israel Trask, who was 11 years old at the time, recalled watching George Washington leap into a fight between American soldiers, pull the men apart, and restore order in his camp. The second scene depicts Charles Willson Peale reuniting with his unrecognizably ragged brother James on the banks of the Delaware on Dec. 8, 1776, after James had served as an officer under Washington through the long New York campaign.

Holiday Shopping
Onsite & Online
It’s the season of giving! Let us help you find the perfect last-minute gift for your friends and family this holiday season. From gift memberships to unique gift options for all ages in the Museum Shop, the Museum has the perfect selection of meaningful gifts for the history buffs in your life.