Sail into spring weekends throughout April with our Black Founders exhibit, family-friendly activities, and more. Plan Your Visit

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Our Latest Theatrical Performance

A performance exploring the life and legacy of James Forten, a free Black Philadelphian, Revolutionary War sailor, successful businessman, and stalwart abolitionist.

Actor Nathan Alford-Tate depicts a sailor in a blue coat holding a sailmaking fid in our Meet James Forten first-person theatrical performance.

Meet James Forten

A first-person theatrical performance about James Forten’s life, written by local playwright Marissa Kennedy and performed by actor Nathan Alford-Tate, accompanies the Museum's special exhibition, Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia, to engage school groups and Museum guests.

Live performances take place on select weekends and holidays at the Museum in the Alan B. Miller Theater on the second floor.

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Watch Performances

Browse our selection of first-person performances available to view online from anywhere at any time. These performances are also periodically performed live at the Museum.

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"Meet Elizabeth Freeman" Performance

Watch the original first-person theatrical performance portraying the life and experiences of Elizabeth Freeman, a Massachusetts woman who sued for her freedom from enslavement and won, produced in conjunction with our special exhibit, When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story, 1776-1807.

"Meet Elizabeth Freeman" stars Tiffany Bacon as Elizabeth Freeman and was written by Teresa Miller.

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"Meet Rebecca VanDike" Performance

Watch the original first-person theatrical performance portraying Rebecca VanDike, an early woman voter in New Jersey, produced in conjunction with our special exhibit, When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story, 1776-1807.

"Meet Rebecca VanDike" stars D’Arcy Dersham as Rebecca VanDike and was written by Valerie Dunn.

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Seth Reichgott as Richard St George
 

"Meet Richard St. George" Performance

Watch the original first-person theatrical performance portraying Irish soldier and artist Richard St. George, produced in conjunction with our special exhibit, Cost of Revolution: The Life and Death of an Irish Soldier.

"Meet Richard St. George" stars Seth Reichgott as Richard St. George and was written by Chris Braak.

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"Meet Joseph Plumb Martin" Performance

Watch the original first-person theatrical performance portraying Continental Army soldier Joseph Plumb Martin. This was the Museum's first original theatrical piece and debuted in 2018.

"Meet Joseph Plumb Martin" stars Patrick Poole as Joseph Plumb Martin and was written by Ryan Schwartz.

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Interested in More Living History?

Dive deeper into Revolutionary-era living history with interviews, cooking demos, and more.

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"Freedom on the Horizon" Performance

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 her 20-minute, one-woman theatrical piece, “Freedom on the Horizon.”

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Blacksmith Aislinn Lewis
Fred Blystone 

Artisan Field Trip Interviews

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. 

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Living History at Home Cooking Demos

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.

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