March into Spring Break with family-friendly activities for all ages at the Museum. Info & Tickets

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Visitors of the Museum of the American Revolution in the Liberty Tree gallery which features a Liberty Tree
Jeff Fusco

Virtual Classes Take Place Tuesday Evenings in March

When you think of the Revolutionary War, you might picture soldiers marching into battle. But for most people in the 1770s, everyday life in this extraordinary time was about less dramatic moments. Explore day-to-day life in the 18th Century with AmRev Seminar: Everyday Life in the Revolutionary Era, a new live, interactive virtual course from the Museum of the American Revolution. The five-class course takes place on Tuesday evenings in March from 7–8:30 p.m. 

For historians, investigating how people worked, socialized, and changed their minds about the world at large can be one of the most fascinating avenues of new research. This interactive seminar, led by the Museum’s Senior Manager of Gallery Interpretation Dr. Tyler Putman, will use readings, virtual talks and tours, artifact demonstrations, and class discussion to examine what people ate, believed, wore, and did for fun.

Participants will need access to Zoom meeting, an internet connection, microphone, and webcam, and will receive complimentary readings and resources. Provided reading material for the course will include publications by prominent authors and historians.

Seminar registration is $200 ($180 for Museum Members). Register here. Class capacity is limited to facilitate conversation. Sessions will be recorded for the benefit of participants who miss a session due to a conflict. No prior history knowledge necessary.

Sessions Include:

Introduction
Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 7–8:30pm

In this session, participants will take a virtual tour of the Museum of the American Revolution to be introduced to some of the key events, stories, and people of the Revolutionary era. They will learn the stories of Mary Humphreys, Benjamin Humphreys, and Quansheba – three people who lived in a small house that once stood on the site of the Museum, whose everyday lives will help guide the class.

Tuesday, March 7, 2022, 7–8:30pm
Daybreak: Philadelphia, 1776

In this session, participants will explore the material culture of life in Philadelphia in 1776, beginning just before sunrise in the Humphreys’ house. How were their rooms arranged, and what kinds of things did they own? Then, participants will discover what life was like outside the house in the cobblestone streets of the city and will take a look at the architecture, people, and workshops and businesses in the city.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 7–8:30pm
Mid-Day: Life Cycles of the 18th Century

It’s the middle of a busy day in the Humphreys house, but that’s just a snapshot. In this session, participants will imagine how three people – Quansheba, Benjamin Humphreys, and Mary Humphreys – experienced the full course of their lives in the Revolutionary era. How did people give birth, what was childhood like, how did people experience ill-health and disability, and what were marriages and funerals like? Participants will examine where these people came from and where they were going at the dawn of the Revolution.

Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 7–8:30pm
Evening: Food, Fashion, Fun

The day is winding down in Philadelphia, and participants will visit the unlicensed tavern that Mary Humphreys operated in her front parlor to imagine its patrons on a typical evening. In this session, participants will explore what people ate, wore, and did for leisure. Where did food come from, how did you buy it, and what did you wear when you went to market? How did people spend their leisure time? How did these things vary depending on where and who you were?

Tuesday, March 29, 2022, 7–8:30pm
Nightfall: Beliefs and Changes

As the day ends in Philadelphia, participants will consider what everyday people in Revolutionary America believed. What were their ideas, religions, and superstitions? How did the ideas of Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans blend and clash in Revolutionary era? How did people change their minds – or remain unconvinced – in the midst of revolution? In this final class session, participants also will consider the profound changes in everyday life that occurred during and after the Revolutionary era.

About Dr. Tyler Rudd Putman
Dr. Tyler Rudd Putman is the Senior Manager of Gallery Interpretation at the Museum of the American Revolution. He holds a doctorate and master’s degree in American history, a master’s degree in American material culture, and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. His background includes work in public archaeology, the antiques trade, historical tailoring, and tall ship sailing. He first worked for the Museum as part of the First Oval Office Project in 2013.

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.