Explore and Celebrate the Stories of Black Revolutionaries this Juneteenth at the Museum

Gallery Tours and Guides, Discovery Carts, Pop-Up Talks, and More Will Delve Into Lesser-Known Stories of the Revolutionary Era

Celebrate Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the legal abolition of slavery in the United States, with the Museum of the American Revolution on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Juneteenth, which was declared a state holiday in Pennsylvania in 2019, commemorates the day in 1865 when the abolition of slavery reached the deepest parts of the former Confederacy in Texas.

In our galleries and online, the Museum will delve into the lesser-known stories of Black men and women of the Revolutionary era such as Elizabeth Freeman, Phillis Wheatley, and Harry Washington, as well as Black soldiers who fought in the regiment of the 2nd Spartan Regiment of Militia from South Carolina. The Regiment’s flag, which is the most recently identified flag from the Revolutionary War, is on view now as part of our current special exhibition, Banners of Liberty: An Exhibition of Original Revolutionary War Flags.

More Juneteenth Highlights Include:

Banners of Liberty: An Exhibition of Original Revolutionary War Flags | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Our newest special exhibition features the largest gathering of rare and significant Revolutionary War flags in more than two centuries. Throughout the gallery, view more than a dozen original flags that were carried in military campaigns stretching from Northern New England to South Carolina. During a 10-Minute Talk in the gallery, learn more about the flag of the 2nd Spartan Regiment of Militia, whose militiamen reflected the diverse society of the South Carolina backcountry they came from.

Black Voices of the Revolution Gallery Tour | 12 p.m.

Join a Museum educator for this 60-minute tour of the core exhibit galleries highlighting a diverse set of stories, experiences, and objects related to people of African descent during the American Revolution. Along the way, you’ll see a first edition of Phillis Wheatley’s Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, learn about Elizabeth Freeman’s historic court case, consider what the engraving “No Slavery” on a Continental Army soldier’s musket meant, and discuss William Lee's role on campaign as Washington's enslaved valet. Tours and ticketing options can be found here.

“Meet Elizabeth Freeman” Performance | Onsite at 11:40 a.m. and 1:40 p.m., plus Online Anytime

Watch a 30-minute filmed first-person theatrical performance portraying the life and experiences of Elizabeth Freeman, also known as Mumbet, a Massachusetts woman who sued for her freedom from enslavement and won. The performance stars Tiffany Bacon as Elizabeth Freeman and was written by Teresa Miller. Available online here, along with other performances related to diverse people and perspectives from the Revolution.

Pop-Up Talks: The Promise of Equality | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Join a Museum educator in the galleries to discover more about ideas of equality for all meant during the Revolutionary War and in the new nation.

Revolution Place Discovery Center | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place, will be open daily kids and kids at heart to explore an immersive environment inspired by the Museum’s lively, diverse Old City neighborhood during the 1700s. Don’t miss themed crafts and activities, including making your own cap inspired by those worn by the Rhode Island Regiment, which consisted primarily of Black and Native American troops.

Discovery Cart: Harry Washington | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Explore replica objects related to the life of Harry Washington, who was enslaved by the Washingtons but found freedom through service in the British army after hearing of Dunmore’s Proclamation.

Finding Freedom Gallery Guide | Onsite and Online
For people of African descent in Revolutionary-era America, the Revolution offered promise and peril. Some chose the cause of independence and others sided with the British. Many used the ideological and social tumult of the Revolution to pursue freedom and justice. However, most people of African descent would not enjoy the most revolutionary legacies of this period – personal liberty, citizenship, the right to vote, and social equality — for generations. Use our Finding Freedom gallery guide to follow the stories of several people of African descent throughout our galleries.

Tickets for Black Voices of the Revolution gallery tours can be purchased here. All other Juneteenth activities are included with regular Museum admission. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Banners of Liberty is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is included with regular Museum admission. Tickets to the Museum 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.

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 an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.