Explore Protest and Patriotism During Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend at the Museum, Jan. 15-17

Onsite and Online Programs Include Theatrical Performances, Discovery Carts, a Community Engagement Wall, and More

During Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend, pay tribute to the life, service, and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Museum of the American Revolution from Saturday, January 15 – Monday, January 17, 2022, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Theatrical performances, discovery carts, and more will explore protests and patriotism in early America and the continuing struggle for equality for all.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend Highlights Include:

• Meet James Forten Performances | Daily, 1:15 & 3:15 p.m.
  Experience the Museum’s latest first-person theatrical performance, “Meet James Forten,” exploring Forten’s life as a free Black Philadelphian, privateer, and sailmaker. This 20-minute performance will take place in the Museum’s Alan B. Miller Theater. Actor Nathan Alford-Tate performs as Forten in his formative years in this performance written by playwright Marissa Kennedy. UPDATE: PERFORMANCES CANCELLED
• Discovery Cart: Protest in Early America | Daily, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  Guests can explore a discovery cart featuring images and replica objects related to the protests of the Revolutionary era. Learn how early Americans used boycotts, printed propaganda, violence, and public demonstrations to advocate for various causes and consider similarities and differences between the 18th century and today. Guests can use a stamp to create their own “poster of protest.” A printed gallery guide also will allow guests to take a self-guided exploration of “Protest in Revolutionary America” in the galleries.
• Community Engagement Wall | Daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  How can you create change in your community? Guests can share how they are carrying forward the Revolution’s promises of liberty and equality at a community engagement wall in the Museum’s first-floor rotunda.
• “Brave Men as Ever Fought” Painting in Liberty | Daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  Don’t miss the Museum’s current special exhibition Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War, featuring nearly 50 paintings by nationally renowned historical artist Don Troiani, alongside historic artifacts. Featured in the exhibit is one of Troiani’s latest works, “Brave Men as Ever Fought,” which depicts young African American sailor James Forten—later a stalwart in anti-slavery and abolitionist movements—looking on as Black and Native American troops in the ranks of the Continental Army’s Rhode Island Regiment march past Independence Hall on their way to victory at Yorktown, Va. Forten later described those men as “as brave Men as ever fought.” The painting was commissioned by the Museum and funded by the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail of the National Park Service.
• “We Shall Continue” by the Philadelphia Jazz Project | Online
  On our website, watch the Philadelphia Jazz Project's performance of “We Shall Continue,” an engaging intermingling of spoken word, singing, and instrumental music paying tribute to one of America’s greatest citizens and thinkers, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Developed in collaboration with the Museum and PhillyCAM, the remarkable virtual experience pulls together video footage from their 2019 and 2020 concerts at the Museum, as well as commentary from the performers and other contributors, all to take a look at Dr. King’s enduring impact on the struggle for human rights and ongoing American Revolution. Note: The previously scheduled onsite Philadelphia Jazz Project performance of their new work, “Wait Means Never,” has been canceled.
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Promises of the American Revolution | Online
  In this blog post, learn how King powerfully invoked the words and messages of the American Revolution in his calls for civil and economic rights and in speaking out against racism. By invoking the words of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, King returned often to a central tenet of his work: holding America and its people to the promise of “the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” to all men, a promise made by the founders against the backdrop of the practice of slavery and the displacement of native people. 

At the Museum and in our free Virtual Tour, explore other personal—often unfamiliar—stories of free and enslaved people of African descent during the Revolutionary era. Learn about Deborah Squash, who ran away from Mount Vernon and sought protection with the British Army; Olaudah Equiano, who purchased his own freedom and published a memoir of his experiences; and Crispus Attucks, a dockworker of African and Native descent who was killed during the Boston Massacre and is considered by many historians to be the first casualty of the American Revolution; among many others.

All Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend activities are 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. The Museum is now open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with enhanced health and safety protocols. Revolution Place discovery center will be open Saturday – Monday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: Beginning January 10, 2022, all visitors ages 5 and up will be required to show proof of vaccination; visitors 18 and older must also show a matching valid ID. An original CDC vaccination card or a photo or electronic copy of the card are all acceptable forms of documentation. Proof of a negative COVID test will not be accepted. Masks are required for visitors ages 2 and up.

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.