Cross Keys Café will be closed for Election Day on May 20. The Museum will be open normal hours, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Plan Your Visit

Dismiss notification
Open Daily 10 am – 5 pm Directions & Parking
Buy Tickets

Living History Youth Summer Institute

  • The 2024 Living History Youth Summer Institute was made possible with support from Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail, National Park Service; The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust; and Frances and Benjamin Benenson Foundation.

    Comcast NBCUniversal is the sponsor of the Museum’s African American Interpretive Program.

Are you a high school or college student (ages 16-21) passionate about history, education, theater, visual arts, communications, or costume design? The Museum of the American Revolution's Living History Youth Summer Institute is calling your name! This six-week intensive program is your gateway to the fascinating world of costumed historical interpretation, focusing on the lives and experiences of people of African descent during the Revolutionary era. The 2025 program will take place from July 1-Aug. 14, and will also include an orientation on June 27.

Two women in Revolutionary period dress kneel on the ground and hammer down the stake to a canvas tent

Participants will embark on exciting field trips and engaging activities with African American interpreters to gain valuable insights and enrich their experience. The Museum will help participants research and share stories of enslaved and free individuals from Revolutionary America.

Join workshops on museum education, curation, and community outreach, and engage in hands-on crafts and interpretive planning. Applications for 2025 are now closed.

This is a compensated six-week commitment for students. Participants must be available for the entirety of the program on weekdays and live within commuting distance of the Museum of the American Revolution. Transportation reimbursement to the Museum is offered, and transportation to additional off-site tours and field trips is included.

The 2024 Living History Youth Summer Institute was made possible with support from:
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail, National Park Service
The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust 
Frances and Benjamin Benenson Foundation

Comcast NBCUniversal is the sponsor of the Museum’s African American Interpretive Program.

  • Comcast Nbcuniversal Logo

LHYSI Highlights

Image Alt Text
1/7
The 2024 participants pose for a group photo in front of the First Oval Office Project tent outside of the Please Touch Museum
Image Alt Text
2/7
The 2023 participants pose for a group photo in front of the First Oval Office Project tent at Penn.
Image Alt Text
3/7
Members of the 2023 cohort receive their certificates at the closing ceremony.
Image Alt Text
4/7
The 2023 students tour the collections storage area with the collections and curatorial teams.
Image Alt Text
5/7
Three of the 2022 students take a photo with the First Oval Office Project tent at Clark Park.
Image Alt Text
6/7
The 2022 students on a replica ship at the Independence Seaport Museum.
Image Alt Text
7/7
The 2022 visited Keystone College during their trip to Dennis Farm in Susquehanna County.

Learn More

Living History Youth Summer Institute Closing Ceremony honored five students for completing the six-week course.
 
News & Updates

First-Ever Class Graduates from Museum's Living History Youth Summer Institute

Learn more about the first-ever graduating class of the Museum's inaugural Living History Youth Summer Institute.
Read More
Meet The Revolution Kalela Williams
 

Meet the Revolution

Learn more about our Meet the Revolution series of costumed living history programs that explore the voices, viewpoints, and experiences of the diverse people of the Revolutionary era.
Read More
Three students from the Museum's Living History Youth Summer Institute pose for a photo in from the Museum's recreated George Washington's tent in Clark Park.
 

African American Interpretive Program

Learn more about the Museum's African American Interpretive Program, which explores the voices, viewpoints, experiences, contributions, and legacies of people of African descent during the Revolutionary era and their relevance today through living history interpretation.
Read More