Occupied Philadelphia 2023 Daily Schedule

In the fall of 1777, Philadelphia — the Revolutionary capital at the time — was seized by the British and occupied for nine long months, with Independence Hall serving as a prison for American prisoners-of-war. Occupied Philadelphia, the Museum's annual flagship living history event, recreates the dark days of the 1777-78 British occupation of the city.

Use the daily schedule below to navigate the free activities, ticketed walking tours, Museum programs, and more at Occupied Philadelphia on Oct. 28-29, 2023.

Saturday, Oct. 28

Inside the Museum
Visit the Museum throughout the weekend for more exciting programming!

• 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Discovery Cart & Costumed Living History (Museum admission required)
  Throughout the Museum's core galleries, meet additional costumed living historians and join a Museum educator at a discovery cart to learn about the role of Black soldiers during the occupation.
• 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Cross Keys Café 
  Visit the Museum’s Cross Keys Café for a fall treat! Toast to the success of the British with a hot apple cider called Camp Follower's Brew, or warm up with a Jefferson's Wink, a seasonal apple pie latte.
  
• 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Revolution Place (Museum admission required)
  Visit our family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place, to learn what the Museum's Old City neighborhood was like in the 1770s. Plus, check out a small collection of artifacts related to the occupation and the Museum's neighborhood on the Museum's lower level in the workroom window.
  
• 1 p.m. - Archaeology of the Occupation 
  Join NPS Curator Debbie Miller to see real artifacts and hear stories related to the 1777-78 occupation of Philadelphia. Note: This is free to the public. Attendees must check in at the Museum's front desk for a wristband. Museum admission is not included.

Neighborhood
Step into Philadelphia as it was occupied (or liberated?) by the British Army in the fall of 1777 with special walking tours.

• Every 30 minutes until 4 p.m. - Occupied Philadelphia Walking Tour
  This hour-long walking tour will depart from the Museum and include stops at nearby historic sites to meet costumed interpreters and complete a "spy challenge" to aid the Revolutionary cause. Guests should plan on an outdoor tour of approximately one mile.
  Purchase Tickets | Member Tickets
• 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. - History Explorer Meet-Up: Occupied Philadelphia
  Join a Museum educator for a family-friendly, activity-filled walking tour exploring Occupied Philadelphia. At least one adult must accompany up to three children.
  Purchase Tickets | Member Tickets
  

Museum Plaza
Visit the Museum’s outdoor Plaza to explore a bustling 18th-century marketplace throughout the day from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.!

• 10 a.m. - British March & Proclamation Reading
  The British Army proclaims the liberation of the city.
• 10:30 a.m. - Meet General Howe
  Join the British commander as he grapples with military strategy and supplying the city.
• 11 a.m. - Meet Ann Sparks
  Learn about the business of women's fashion.
• 11:30 a.m. - Beg, Barter, Steal
  Meet a merchant to see how far you can stretch your money at the market.
• 12:30 p.m. - Meet a Shoeblack 
  Learn how a poor woman can make a few pence.
• 1 p.m. - Dressed for Occupation
  Help a Loyalist woman decide what to wear and learn about the uniforms of the British Army.
• 1:30 p.m. - Join the Cavalry
  Consider whether to enlist in a newly formed Loyalist regiment.
• 2 p.m. - Meet a Hessian Officer
  Find out why the Hessians are in the occupied city.
• 2:30 p.m. - Meet General Howe
  Join the British commander as he grapples with military strategy and supplying the city.

Carpenters’ Hall
Explore inside and outside Carpenters' Hall to discover a British Army encampment and meet Continental Army prisoners-of-war.

• 11:30 a.m. - Enlist or Starve
  Meet Continental Army prisoners-of-war and learn about the conditions in which they lived.
• 12 p.m. - Meet a Carpenter
  Try your hand at 18th-century woodworking.
• 1 p.m. - Soldiers’ Games
  Take a wager and learn about popular 18th-century games.
• 1:30 p.m. - Enlist or Starve
  Meet Continental Army prisoners-of-war and learn about the conditions in which they lived.
• 1:30 p.m. - Women in Philadelphia
  Learn more about the experience of women during the occupation.
• 2:30 p.m. - Defending the City
  Join a British officer to strategize how to keep General Washington’s army out of the city. 

Carpenters' Court (in front of Carpenters' Hall)
Join Independence National Historical Park rangers in Carpenters’ Court for family-friendly programming.

• 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. - The Price of Liberty (POW/MIA Experience)
• 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Patrick Ferguson And His Rifle: A Man of Some Genius
• 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. - How Would You Survive in Occupied Philadelphia? 

Sunday, Oct. 29

Inside the Museum
Visit the Museum throughout the weekend for more exciting programming!

• 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Discovery Cart & Costumed Living History (Museum admission required)
  Throughout the Museum's core galleries, meet additional costumed living historians and join a Museum educator at a discovery cart to learn about the role of Black soldiers during the occupation.
• 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Cross Keys Café 
  Visit the Museum’s Cross Keys Café for a fall treat! Toast to the success of the British with a hot apple cider called Camp Follower's Brew, or warm up with a Jefferson's Wink, a seasonal apple pie latte.
  
• 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Revolution Place (Museum admission required)
  Visit our family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place, to learn what the Museum's Old City neighborhood was like in the 1770s. Plus, check out a small collection of artifacts related to the occupation and the Museum's neighborhood on the Museum's lower level in the workroom window.
  
• 1-2 p.m. - Museum Member Teatime (Member exclusive) 
  Museum Members are invited to stop by the Museum’s third-floor Liberty Hall for a spot of tea. While enjoying light refreshments, “loyal” Members and History Explorers alike will have the opportunity to spy on the bustling British-occupied marketplace on the Museum plaza from the terrace above. Free for Museum Members.
  More Info

Neighborhood
Step into Philadelphia as it was occupied (or liberated?) by the British army in the fall of 1777 with special walking tours.

• Every 30 minutes until 2 p.m. - Occupied Philadelphia Walking Tour
  This hour-long walking tour will depart from the Museum and include stops at nearby historic sites to meet costumed interpreters and complete a "spy challenge" to aid the Revolutionary cause. Guests should plan on an outdoor tour of approximately one mile.
  Purchase Tickets | Member Tickets

Museum Plaza
Visit the Museum’s outdoor Plaza to explore a bustling 18th-century marketplace throughout the day from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.!

• 10 a.m. - British March & Proclamation Reading
  The British army proclaims the liberation of the city.
• 10:30 a.m. - Meet General Howe
  Join the British commander as he grapples with military strategy and supplying the city.
• 11 a.m. - Meet Ann Sparks
  Learn about the business of women's fashion.
• 11:30 a.m. - Beg, Barter, Steal
  Meet a merchant to see how far you can stretch your money at the market.
• 12:30 p.m. - Meet a Shoeblack 
  Learn how a poor woman can make a few pence.
• 1 p.m. - Dressed for Occupation
  Help a Loyalist woman decide what to wear and learn about the uniforms of the British army.
• 1:30 p.m. - Join the Cavalry
  Consider whether to enlist in a newly formed Loyalist regiment.
• 2 p.m. - Meet a Hessian Officer
  Find out why the Hessians are in the occupied city.
• 2:30 p.m. - Meet General Howe
  Join the British commander as he grapples with military strategy and supplying the city.

Carpenters’ Hall
Explore inside and outside Carpenters' Hall to discover a British army encampment and meet Continental Army prisoners-of-war.

• 11:30 a.m. - Enlist or Starve
  Meet Continental Army prisoners-of-war and learn about the conditions in which they lived.
• 12 p.m. - Meet a Carpenter
  Try your hand at 18th-century woodworking.
• 1 p.m. - Soldiers’ Games
  Take a wager and learn about popular 18th-century games.
• 1:30 p.m. - Enlist or Starve
  Meet Continental Army prisoners-of-war and learn about the conditions in which they lived.
• 1:30 p.m. - Women in Philadelphia
  Learn more about the experience of women during the occupation.
• 2:30 p.m. - Defending the City
  Join a British officer to strategize how to keep General Washington’s army out of the city. 

Carpenters' Court (in front of Carpenters' Hall)
Join Independence National Historical Park rangers in Carpenters’ Court for family-friendly programming.

• 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. - In Their Shoes: The People and Objects that Fled
• 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. - What Would You Do? A Ministers Quandary: The Story of Jacob Duché