Commemorate Memorial Day Weekend at the Museum of the American Revolution, May 27-29

Free Admission for Veterans, Military, and Blue Star Families All Weekend

Theatrical Performances, Commemorative Ribbon Craft, Pop-Up Talks and More

This Memorial Day Weekend, visitors to the Museum of the American Revolution can explore the stories of the diverse range of men and women who served and sacrificed during the Revolutionary War and pay tribute those who continue to serve our nation today. From Saturday, May 27 – Monday, May 29, 2023, veterans, military, and Blue Star Families will receive free admission, which includes access to the Museum’s current special exhibition Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia.

Open daily through Nov. 26, 2023, Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia explores the life and legacy of free Black Philadelphian, Revolutionary War privateer, and successful businessman James Forten and his descendants as they became leaders in the abolition and women's suffrage movements. Throughout the weekend, visitors can join a Museum educator in Black Founders for a 10-minute, in-gallery talk remembering the service of Black soldiers during the Civil War.

Memorial Day Weekend Highlights:

• Coloring a Revolutionary Thank You | Daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  Thank a service member this Memorial Day Weekend with a personalized postcard. Color a picture based on Washington's Standard, the flag that marked his presence on the battlefield, and add a special message of gratitude. The Museum will mail the messages to the American Legion.
• Revolution Place | Daily from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  Explore Revolution Place, the Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, which brings to life Old City’s lively, diverse neighborhood during the 1700s and invites visitors to learn through hands-on exploration. Kids of all ages can immerse themselves in four historical environments – a military encampment, a tavern, a parlor, and an 18th-century meeting house – to experience the places where the American Revolution took root. Don’t miss your chance to make a memorial ribbon craft to take home based on those given to surviving veterans of the Battle of Bunker Hill at a 50-year commemoration in 1825.
• “Meet Joseph Plumb Martin” Performances | Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. & 3 p.m. and Online Anytime
  Experience the Museum’s first-person theatrical performance portraying Continental Army soldier Joseph Plumb Martin, performed by Jaried Kimberley and written by Ryan Schwartz. Martin was one of the thousands of teenaged soldiers in General George Washington's army. He wanted to prove he was "as warm a patriot as the best of them." In June 1776, he left Milford, Conn. and joined the Continental Army in New York City. Martin went on to write Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier, which was published in 1830 and is one of the best-known Revolutionary War memoirs depicting the life of an ordinary soldier. A performance of “Meet Joseph Plumb Martin” is available to view online anytime.
• Discovery Cart: Black Soldiers of the Revolution | Daily from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  Join a Museum educator to view and handle replica objects to learn more about the service of Black soldiers during the Revolutionary War.
• Unpacking a Sea Chest | Daily from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  All hands on deck on the Museum’s replica sloop! Join a Museum educator for a story about what life was like at sea during the Revolutionary War and see what sailors and privateers carried onboard.
• Gallery Guide: Remembering Fallen Revolutionaries | Daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  The Museum tells the stories of many of our nation’s first fallen soldiers and honors those whose names we don’t know. The Museum’s artifacts and exhibits explore these stories, including the sword of fallen Revolutionary General Hugh Mercer and the gravestone of Maryland Captain Michael Cresap, among many others. Pick up a copy during your visit or download this gallery guide online to find these stories and more around the Museum.
• Indoor and Outdoor Walking Tours
  Explore the Museum and its historic neighborhood with an expert guide! Tours include 90-minute outdoor walking tours that explore iconic sites in the Museum’s historic Old City neighborhood, hour-long tours of our core galleries, hour-long early-access guided tours for a private experience, and audio tours. For additional tours and more information, visit AmRevMuseum.org/visit-tour. 

All Memorial Day Weekend programming is included with regular Museum admission. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia is open daily from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is included in regular Museum admission. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215.253.6731, at AmRevMuseum.org, or at the front desk. Save $3 per adult ticket by purchasing online. Children ages 5 and under are always free. All tickets are valid for two consecutive days. From Friday, May 27 – Monday, May 29, 2023, veterans, military, and Blue Star Families will receive free admission (free admission tickets cannot be reserved in advance and are available at the front desk only).

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.