Eight Local Students Join the Museum of the American Revolution for Annual Living History Youth Summer Institute

This summer marks the return of the Museum of the American Revolution’s Living History Youth Summer Institute, a six-week intensive course for young adults interested in interpreting the lives of people of African ancestry in the Revolutionary era. This year’s program, which runs through Aug. 14, 2024, introduces eight participants to the museum field and the world of costumed historical interpretation, with a focus on enslaved and free people of African descent.

Launched in 2022, the Summer Institute aims to cultivate and support a more diverse community of people engaged in the museum field. It is part of the Museum’s African American Interpretive Program, sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal, which the Museum launched in 2021 to significantly expand its capacity to develop and deliver programs that explore the lives, experiences, and impact of Revolutionary-era people of African descent. 

Throughout the summer, participants will have the opportunity to discover some of the Museum’s most popular programs and offerings, including special exhibition Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington’s War Tent, the Black Voices of the Revolution gallery highlights tour, and the Museum’s Meet the Revolution costumed living history series. Through workshops facilitated by Museum staff and guest speakers, students will be immersed in a range of topics including historical costuming, museum careers, and historical empathy.

The program includes weekly offsite research trips to sites like the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton, NJ; the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum in Skillman, NJ; and the Betsy Ross House, Mother Bethel AME Church and Richard Allen Museum, and Historic Germantown in Philadelphia. Participants are provided with transportation to and from all offsite excursions.

The summer institute will culminate with a free, open-to-public capstone experience on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Fairmount Park. Here, students will set up the Museum's replica of George Washington’s Revolutionary War encampment, dress in 18th-century clothing, and demonstrate alongside Museum staff what life was like for Washington and the soldiers, camp followers, and free and enslaved people who traveled with him on campaign.

“We are fortunate to have an outstanding group of young people who are fully engaged and significantly contributing to all facets of this year’s Living History Youth Summer Institute,” said Michael Idriss, the Museum’s African American Interpretive Program Manager. “It has been a blast to watch them gain knowledge about historical costumed interpretation, career paths in the Museum field, and the importance of being a good storyteller, especially in communicating the work of both free and enslaved people of African descent. I’m impressed by their quick progress and proud to be working with them.” 

“Throughout history, people of African descent have played a central role in shaping the history of the United States and distinguishing themselves in service to our nation,” said Johnny F. Carawan, Trail Administrator for the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail, a sponsor of the program. “The National Park Service is proud to partner with the Museum of the American Revolution in support of these young adults, who’ve expressed interest in interpreting the lives of people of African ancestry in the Revolutionary era and helping to amplify the stories of Black history to our country.”

The Museum’s African American Interpretive Program is sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal. Additional support for the Living History Youth Summer Institute provided by Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail, National Park Service, The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, and the Frances and Benjamin Benenson Foundation.

About Living History Youth Summer Institute
The Museum of the American Revolution’s Living History Youth Summer Institute introduces Philadelphia-area high school and college students between the ages of 15 and 21 to the world of costumed historical interpretation with a focus on enslaved and free people of African descent. Participants explore the many aspects of museum work as potential career avenues, including education, curation, fundraising, marketing, interpretive planning, community outreach, acting, and more. In this summer course, students learn from experienced African American interpreters who work at historical organizations and museums from across the country about researching and interpreting the lives of people of African ancestry throughout Revolutionary America.

Participation in this six-week program is compensated for students. Participants must be available for the entirety of the program on weekdays and live within commuting distance of the Museum of the American Revolution. Participants are provided with SEPTA passes, PATCO passes (if needed), and transportation to additional off-site tours and field trips. Please stay tuned to the Museum's social media channels and website for information and application opportunities regarding the 2025 Living History Youth Summer Institute. For more information, visit www.amrevmuseum.org/living-history-youth-summer-institute. 

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.