Declare Your Independence at the Museum of the American Revolution’s July 4th Weekend Celebration

Sign a Giant Declaration of Independence, Meet Thomas Jefferson, and Add a Ribbon to a “Declarations Wall” on the Museum’s Outdoor Plaza

The words of the Declaration of Independence changed the world. The effects of that revolutionary document continue to reverberate today, inspiring human rights and liberation movements globally.

From Saturday, June 30 – Wednesday, July 4, 2018, explore the Declaration's history and continuing legacy at the Museum of the American Revolution with special programs and activities for all ages.

Throughout the weekend, visitors and passersby can declare how they are carrying forward the ideals of the American Revolution by adding a personalized ribbon to a flag-shaped “Declarations Wall” on the Museum’s outdoor plaza. Inside, visitors can sign their name to a giant Declaration of Independence in the Museum’s rotunda and take home a complimentary pocket-sized Declaration of Independence.

On Monday, July 2 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., a costumed historical interpreter portraying Thomas Jefferson, the original author of the Declaration, will meet-and-greet visitors and pose for photos. At 1 p.m., visitors can enjoy a free slice of cake in honor of the nation's real birthday, the date that Continental Congress declared independence from Great Britain. On Tuesday, July 3 from 1 – 4 p.m. the Fifes & Drums of the Old Barracks will perform patriotic tunes on the Museum's outdoor plaza, free and open to the public. From 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., the Museum’s Cross Keys Café will host an Independence Ice Cream Social, featuring boozy ice cream floats, sundaes, and other treats.

Throughout the weekend, kids can try on Revolutionary-inspired clothing, design a flag, decode secret messages and practice drilling like a Revolutionary soldier in the Museum’s Patriots Gallery from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. In the Museum’s new discovery center, Revolution Place, which opens to the public on June 9, the whole family can explore 18th-century Philadelphia through immersive environments, interactive touchscreens, reproduction objects, and special programs.

On Monday, July 2 at 2 p.m., Dr. Philip Mead, the Museum's Chief Historian and Director of Curatorial Affairs, will present a discussion on the influence of the Declaration of Independence around the world, from the Seneca Falls Women’s Rights Convention of 1848, to the abolitionism of David Walker and Frederick Douglass, and international movements in Haiti, South America, Mahatma Gandhi’s India, and Ho Chi Minh’s Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Throughout the Museum, visitors will discover the sometimes surprising links between the Declaration of Independence and freedom movements around the world.

Highlights of the Museum’s exhibits include a gallery dedicated to the Declaration of Independence. In a mini-theater that evokes the inside of Independence Hall, visitors will witness the tumultuous weeks leading up to the adoption of the Declaration. Through a touchscreen installation, visitors learn about the 88 local declarations of support for independence that preceded the one issued by the Continental Congress. Galleries also explore what “the promise of equality” meant for all people, including women, enslaved people, and laboring men.

In the Museum’s outdoor plaza, powerful words from the Declaration are emblazoned in limestone on the building’s exterior wall. On the northern side of the building, a large bronze sculptural panel of John Trumbull’s iconic painting “The Declaration of Independence” depicts the presentation of the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress by the drafting committee, which included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. 

About Museum of the American Revolution
Opened on April 19, 2017, 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 interactive digital elements bring to life the diverse array of people that 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 is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.