Celebrate Revolutionary Women During Women’s History Month this March

Special Events and Activities Include a Virtual Panel Discussion, “Meet Elizabeth Freeman” Film, Crafts, Discovery Carts, and More

Celebrate revolutionary women at the Museum of the American Revolution during Women’s History Month this March. Throughout the month, enjoy a virtual panel discussion, a filmed performance, discovery carts, pop-up talks, a take-and-make craft and other events and activities that bring to life the powerful, diverse perspectives and experiences of women of the era.

Explore the inspiring stories of women like Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman, who sued for her freedom and won; Two Kettles Together, an Oneida woman who fought in the Battle of Oriskany; Deborah Sampson, who dressed as a man to fight in the Continental Army; American prisoner-of-war Baroness Von Riedesel; Phillis Wheatley, America’s first published Black female poet; and many others in the Museum’s galleries and special exhibition, Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War.

“Here at the Museum, every day we are committed to telling the incredible stories of the wide range of women who powered the American Revolution,” said Rebecca Franco, Manager of Family Programs. “Whether fighting for their personal freedom or that of the nation, women made difficult choices and sacrifices and played essential roles during the Revolutionary War. Their legacies continue to inspire us today.”

Women’s History Month Highlights Include:

AmRev Presents: Betsy Ross Beyond the Flag
Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Free live virtual event
Join the Museum and American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University to uncover facts and fictions about famous flagmaker Betsy Ross. Author and historian Dr. Marla R. Miller, Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Museum Dr. Aimee E. Newell, and actor Lenne Klingaman (Dawn, Waitress), will discuss Ross’s influence on cultural memory about women’s contributions to the American Revolution, contemporary curatorial work, and theatrical performance. Moderated by A.R.T.’s Sarah Schofield-Mansure, the event will be livestreamed online. Tickets are free but reservations are required here.

Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War Special Exhibit | Daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Don’t miss the Museum’s special exhibition, now open through Sept. 5, 2022, which immerses visitors in the dramatic and research-based works of nationally renowned historical artist Don Troiani. During Women’s History Month, educators will discuss paintings featuring female figures of the era, such as Two Kettles Together (Tyonajanegen) in Battle of Oriskany and Margaret Corbin, the first female pensioner of the United States in Margaret Corbin, Fort Washington. The exhibit is included with regular Museum admission.

“Meet Elizabeth Freeman” Film | Saturdays and Sundays 11:15 a.m. & 2:15 p.m.
Watch a film of a first-person theatrical performance portraying the life and experiences of Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman, a Massachusetts woman who sued for freedom from enslavement and won. The performance can also be viewed online anytime.

Pop-Up Talk: Baroness Von Riedesel | Daily
In the galleries, discover the story of Baroness Von Riedesel, a camp follower who became a prisoner-of-war of the Continental Army and left behind a diary detailing her experiences. Learn how camp followers – many of them women – contributed to the war effort on both sides.

Tableau Talk: When Women Lost the Vote | Daily
Join an educator in the Museum’s final gallery as they discuss the little-known story of women and free people of color legally voting in New Jersey during the Revolutionary era, as well as the series of political conflicts that led to their voting rights being stripped away in 1807. A lifelike tableau scene depicts three women voting in an 1801 state election. Visitors can explore this scene virtually at any time with the Museum’s tableau interactive.

Revolution Place Craft: Make a Heart Pin Cushion | Weekends, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
In the Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place, discover how 18th-century women would make similar pincushions and wear them tied to their waist. Then, create a heart-shaped pincushion with an educator. No prior sewing experience is needed.

Discovery Cart: Rebecca Flower Young | Weekends, 1 – 3 p.m.
Visit a discovery cart to learn about the life of Rebecca Flower Young, a seamstress who made flags and drum cases for the Continental Army here in Philadelphia.

Museum’s Digital Resources | Available online anytime
Explore the stories of Revolutionary women from the comfort of home with the Museum’s wide range of digital resources. In the Museum’s Virtual Tour, learn about women like Deborah Squash, who escaped enslavement at Mount Vernon and sought protection with the British Army; Deborah Sampson, who dressed as a man to fight in the Continental Army; and Phillis Wheatley, America’s first published Black female poet. The Museum’s virtual exhibit, When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story, 1776-1807, examines the incredible story of women and free people of color voting in early America.

Museum Shop | Open daily and online
Delve deeper into women’s stories or find a gift for the revolutionary woman in your life in the Museum Shop, which includes a mug with Abigail Adams’s “Remember the ladies” quote, Cokie Roberts’s Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation, and Jeanne E. Abrams’s First Ladies of the Republic.

All onsite Women’s History Month activities are included with regular Museum admission. Tickets to the Museum can be purchased by calling 215.253.6731, at www.AmRevMuseum.org, or at the front desk. Save $2 per adult ticket by purchasing online. The Museum is now open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with enhanced health and safety protocols. Revolution Place discovery center is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Health and Safety Note
Due to declining COVID-19 cases in the Philadelphia area, proof of vaccination is no longer required for daytime visitors to the Museum. Masks are required for visitors ages 2 and up. Please contact the front desk at 215.253.6731 with any questions or visit the Museum’s Health and Safety page.

About Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.