Celebrate the End of Tax Season with “Death and Taxes” Event

Part of the Museum’s “History After Hours” Series

In 1789, Benjamin Franklin famously wrote that “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” On Tuesday, April 16, 2019 from 5 – 8 p.m., join the Museum of the American Revolution for “Death and Taxes,” a post-tax-day bash with free Bluecoat Elderflower Gin cocktail samplings from Philadelphia Distilling, Ben Franklin trivia, and a lively discussion with author Stephen Fried about a Founding Father who had many up-close-and-personal encounters with death. 

The event is part of the Museum’s series of monthly History After Hours events which feature extended evening hours, special themed programs, happy hour food and drink specials in Cross Keys Café, and full access to the Museum’s exhibits. Tickets for History After Hours are $10 and can be purchased online in advance here or at the door.

Throughout the evening, try a free cocktail sampling with Bluecoat Elderflower Gin in Cross Keys Café, then test your knowledge with trivia about Benjamin Franklin’s life and work to win a spin of the prize wheel. In the Museum’s rotunda, design a giant felt coin and play “The Stamp is Right!” to learn about the Stamp Act and how much taxable items would have cost. Also, view a Continental Congress $2 note that was recently donated to the Museum.

At 6 p.m., join author Stephen Fried for a discussion entitled “The Death & Rebirth of Dr. Benjamin Rush: The Secrets He Took to His Grave Helped Rewrite American History,” based on his recent book RUSH: Revolution, Madness and the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father (2018). He will sign copies of his book following the talk.

In the Museum’s rotunda, meet representatives from Christ Church Preservation Trust to learn about their new initiative “Digitizing the Records of Philadelphia’s Historic Congregations: Providing Documentation for the Political, Social and Cultural Developments in Philadelphia,” an archival project that will provide new portals into the relationship between religion and politics in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

In the upcoming months, History After Hours will include Seafarers and Stargazers on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 and Pride on Paper on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.

About Stephen Fried
Stephen Fried is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author who teaches at Columbia University’s School of Journalism and the Department of Psychiatry and the University of Pennsylvania. His seven nonfiction books include the historical biographies RUSH: Revolution, Madness and the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father (an ALA Notable Book of the Year), Appetite for America: Fred Harvey and the Business of Civilizing the Wild West—One Meal at a Time and Thing of Beauty: The Tragedy of Supermodel Gia. He also co-authored A Common Struggle: A Personal Journey through the Past and Future of Mental Illness and Addiction with Patrick Kennedy. Fried has been a staff writer at Vanity Fair, GQ, and Glamour, and is the former editor of Philadelphia magazine, where he won two National Magazine Awards. He currently writes for Smithsonian Magazine. He lives with his wife, author Diane Ayres, in Philadelphia.

About Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution explores the dramatic, surprising story of the American Revolution through its unmatched collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art. Immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and digital touchscreens bring to life the diverse array of people who created a new nation against incredible odds. Visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in the ongoing promise of the American Revolution. 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.