Meet the Revolution
The Museum's Meet the Revolution is an ongoing series of costumed living history programs that explore the voices, viewpoints, and experiences of the diverse people of the Revolutionary era.
Summer 2021 Interpreters-in-Residence
Join costumed living history interpreters at the Museum this summer to explore the work of African American craftspeople through hands-on demonstrations, storytelling, and conversations.
Brenda Parker
Explore the skills and innovations of both free and enslaved women of African descent with historical interpreter Brenda Parker. Through the exploration of various textiles, Parker will discuss block printing, hand dyeing, mudcloth, and other traditions brought to America from Africa. She will also discuss various waxes and soaps as well as soap-making techniques used in the Revolutionary era.
Parker's Dates at the Museum:
July 16-18 & July 30-August 1
Noah Lewis
Noah Lewis will portray a Revolutionary soldier of African descent, Edward “Ned” Hector. Museum guests will meet Hector in the 1820s as a respected resident of Plymouth Township, Pennsylvania, as he fights to gain a pension for service in the war. Lewis will also discuss the skills and innovations of African American teamsters as well as everyday life in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Lewis's Dates at the Museum:
July 21, 23, 25-29
August 1-6, 8, 14-15, 28-29
September 4-6
Cheyney McKnight
Cheyney McKnight, founder of Not Your Momma's History, will tell stories about Quansheba, a woman of African descent who lived as an enslaved and then free woman on the site of the Museum during the Revolutionary War. McKnight will also discuss the day-to-day life of a bondwoman as well as the trade and skillset of a Philadelphia pepper pot soup vendor.
McKnight's Dates at the Museum:
July 26-30
August 2-5, 8
Kalela Williams
Ever wonder what life was like in an 18th-century schoolroom? Kalela Williams will portray Helena Harris, an African American schoolteacher in Revolutionary Philadelphia. Harris had the unique perspective of having taught white children in both England and Philadelphia. With a focus on the children and education of the Revolutionary era, Williams will give insight into how young people worked and played during times of war and peace.
Williams's Dates at the Museum:
August 13-15, 20-22, 27-29
PLEASE NOTE that the availability of our interpreters-in-residence is subject to change.
Explore More Online
Watch interviews with historical interpreters to learn how they are bringing the voices, viewpoints, and experiences of the diverse people of the Revolutionary era to life with their work.
Meet the Revolution: Noah Lewis
Meet the Revolution: Kalela Williams
Meet the Revolution: Daniel Sieh
Past Interpreters-in-Residence
Learn more about the costumed living history interpreters who have previously joined the Museum for Meet the Revolution.
Joel Cook
In May and August 2019 at the Museum, historical interpreter Joel Cook discussed the opportunities that people of African descent had at sea during the Revolutionary War.
Nastassia Parker
In June 2019 at the Museum, Nastassia Parker portrayed Ona Judge, an enslaved woman who ran away from George and Martha Washington’s household in Philadelphia. The 20-minute performance is available to watch online.
Cheyney McKnight
In July 2019 at the Museum, Cheyney McKnight discussed African American women’s headwraps and spiritual practices, and she held workshops on African adornments, storytelling, foodways, and medicine.
The Meet the Revolution Summer 2021 Interpreters-in-Residence Program is part of the Museum’s African American Interpretive Program Sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal.