Press Releases
Commemorate Memorial Day Weekend at the Museum with the Whole Family, May 27-30
May 2, 2022Free Admission for Veterans, Military, and Blue Star Families All Weekend Courtesy of Comcast NBCUniversal
Theatrical Performances, Commemorative Ribbon Craft, Postcards for Service Members, 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 to those who continue to serve our nation today. From Friday, May 27 – Monday, May 30, 2022, veterans, military, and Blue Star Families will receive free admission, courtesy of Comcast NBCUniversal, which includes access to the Museum’s current special exhibition Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War.
In Liberty, visitors will experience crucial moments of the American Revolution through intricately detailed paintings paired with original artifacts. A highlight of the artifacts on display is the 1830 memoir of Joseph Plumb Martin, who was one of thousands of teenaged soldiers in the Continental Army. One of the best-known Revolutionary War memoirs, it documents Martin’s seven years of military service. Throughout the weekend, visitors will be able to “meet” Joseph Plumb Martin through a 20-minute first-person theatrical performance.
During Memorial Day Weekend, visitors can also convey their gratitude to service members with a personalized postcard, create a commemorative ribbon craft to take home, and listen to pop-up talks about the Revolutionary Generation while coming face-to-face with photographs of those who lived into the age of photography.
Memorial Day Weekend at the Museum:
- Special Exhibit: Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War
Onsite (Patriots Gallery) & Online | Daily, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Museum's special exhibition, now open through Sept. 5, 2022, immerses visitors in the dramatic and research-based works of nationally renowned historical artist Don Troiani to bring compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events of the American Revolution to life. Don’t miss a 10-minute, in-gallery talk on Troiani’s painting, The Veteran’s Return, to learn about the challenges soldiers faced when they returned home after the war’s end. The exhibit is included with regular Museum admission. - Joseph Plumb Martin Performances Onsite & Online | Saturday and Monday, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Experience the Museum’s first-person theatrical performance portraying Continental Army soldier Joseph Plumb Martin, performed by Jaried Kimberley and written by Ryan Schwartz. In June 1776, Martin left Milford, Conn. and joined the Continental Army in New York City. He 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 printing of which is on view in Liberty. - Revolution Place Discovery Center Onsite (lower level) | Daily, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place, will be open daily to explore the Museum’s lively, diverse Old City neighborhood during the 1700s through hands-on exploration in four key recreated historical environments, including a military encampment, a tavern, a home, and an 18th-century meeting house. Don’t miss themed crafts and activities, including creating a memorial ribbon based on those given to surviving veterans of the Battle of Bunker Hill at a 50-year commemoration in 1825. - Stories on Deck: Life at Sea Onsite | Daily
All hands on deck on the Museum’s replica sloop! Join a Museum educator to hear about the risks and rewards sailors faced while at sea. - 10-Minute Pop-up Talks: Veterans Wall Onsite | Daily
Join a Museum educator in the final gallery of the core exhibition to come face-to-face with America’s Revolutionary generation through their photographs. Many veterans suffered after the war as the new nation was slow to recognize its war heroes. The last known Revolutionary War veterans died shortly after the Civil War, but some survived into the age of photography. - Discovery Cart: Soldier’s Pack Onsite | Daily
Join a Museum educator at a discovery cart featuring replica handling objects to learn more about what Continental Army soldiers would carry in their knapsack, such as a fire-starting kit and a 18th-century whirligig. - Gallery Guide: Remembering Fallen Revolutionaries Onsite | Daily
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. Use this printed gallery guide to find these highlights and more around the Museum. - Color a Postcard: A Revolutionary Thank You Onsite | Daily
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 USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.
All Memorial Day Weekend programming is included with regular Museum admission. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215.253.6731, at AmRevMuseum.org, or at the front desk. Save $2 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 30, 2022, veterans, military, and Blue Star Families will receive free admission (free admission tickets cannot be reserved in advance and are available for walk-up only).
Memorial Day Weekend with the Museum is sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal.
Health and Safety Note
Masks and proof of vaccination are no longer required for daytime visitors to the Museum. More information about health and safety measures at the Museum is available here.
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.