Press Releases
Free Admission for Veterans, Military, and Blue Star Families During Veterans Day Weekend, Nov. 11 - 13
October 13, 2022Patriotic Performance by The Philly POPS Festival Brass on Nov. 11
Walking Tours, Pop-Up Talks, Discovery Carts, Crafts, and More
This Veterans Day Weekend from Friday, November 11 – Sunday, November 13, 2022, the Museum of the American Revolution will pay tribute to America’s first veterans as well as the men and women who continue to serve our nation today. Throughout the weekend, the Museum will offer free admission to veterans, those currently serving in the military, and Blue Star Families, courtesy of Comcast NBCUniversal. The weekend includes a musical performance, walking tours, and family-friendly activities.
On Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, at 11 a.m., on the Museum's outdoor plaza (weather permitting), The Philly POPS Festival Brass quintet will perform patriotic songs as part of their Salute Series, which encourages recognition of service and commitment. A student color guard from the Philadelphia Military Academy will perform a ceremonial presentation of the colors, followed by a moment of recognition for those who have served and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today. The performance is free and open to the public.
Other Veterans Day Weekend Highlights:
- Walking Tour to Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier | Friday – Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Just two blocks from the Museum is a moving memorial to our Revolutionary heritage. The Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier stands in Washington Square Park. Join a Museum educator for a walking tour to the Tomb to remember those who served. Tours are included with regular Museum admission. Sign up for a tour at the front desk on your visit. - Postcards and Poppies | Friday - Sunday
Guests of all ages are invited to write a special message of gratitude for service members and their families throughout the weekend. The Museum will mail the messages to organizations supporting Blue and Gold Star Families. Visitors also can donate to the American Legion Auxiliary and receive a red crepe paper poppy that was handmade by veterans as part of their therapeutic rehabilitation. Proceeds will assist disabled and hospitalized veterans. - Discovery Cart: Akiatonharónkwen Louis Cook | Friday – Sunday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
November is Native American Heritage Month, and during Veterans Day weekend, visitors can explore the stories of native veterans such as Akiatonharónkwen, also known as Louis Cook, who was one of the highest-ranking Native American officers in the Continental forces during the Revolutionary War. Join a Museum educator at a discovery cart to learn about the path he chose in the Revolutionary War as British and Revolutionary leaders courted him as an ally. This cart features replica wampum belts recently commissioned by the Museum. - Pop-Up Gallery Talks | Friday - Sunday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Join an educator for 10-minute pop-up talks throughout the Museum galleries exploring the stories of veterans of the American Revolution. In the Museum’s final gallery, visitors can view a wall of photographs featuring men and women of the Revolutionary Generation who lived through the Revolutionary War and survived into the age of photography. - “Meet Joseph Plumb Martin” Performance | Saturday – Sunday at 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Meet Joseph Plumb Martin, a young Continental soldier, as he concludes his Revolutionary War service and considers what’s next in a captivating 20-minute, one-man theatrical performance. Meet Joseph Plumb Martin is performed by Jaried Kimberley and was written by Ryan Schwartz. - Ribbon Craft in Revolution Place | Saturday – Sunday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Visit Revolution Place, the Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, which brings to life Old City’s lively, diverse neighborhood during the1700s and invites visitors to learn through hands-on exploration. Kids of all ages can immerse themselves in four historical environments – a military encampment, a tavern, a parlor, and an 18th-century meeting house – to experience the places where the American Revolution took root. For Veterans Day, visitors can make their own commemorative ribbon to honor members of our armed forces. - Relaxed Experience Morning | Sunday from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Experience the Museum galleries in a low-stress and less crowded environment. From 9-10:30 a.m., the galleries will have lower sound effects and higher light levels to create a relaxed sensory experience. Throughout the morning, interact with replica objects and our accessibility-trained Museum staff at several stops along the way to enhance your experience. Explore Washington’s War Tent theater through hands-on materials and stop by Revolution Place, our fully immersive and family-friendly discovery center. At the Front Desk, pick up a sensory guide or social story to aid your visit. Other offerings include an available quiet room and sensory kits to borrow.
The Philly POPS Festival Brass performance is free and open to the public. All other Veterans Day 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. Free admission for veterans, those currently serving in the military, and Blue Star Families is available at the front desk with ID. The Museum is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Veterans Day Weekend at the Museum is sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal.
About The Philly POPS
The Philly POPS, the largest standalone pops orchestra in the United States, delights audiences with the inspired performance of American popular music. The POPS celebrates this distinctive musical heritage through an expanding repertoire of innovative concert performances and a robust set of educational and engagement initiatives. As the official POPS orchestra of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia’s partner in civic celebration, The Philly POPS serves a consistently growing audience of over 900,000 annually. Music Director and Principal Conductor David Charles Abell and the Philly POPS orchestra keep listeners tapping their toes to an impressive repertoire of songs from American traditional music up through to today’s chart-toppers. In addition to Subscription Series performances at The Kimmel Cultural Campus, The Philly POPS presents innovative programming with contemporary artists at the Met Philadelphia in The Philly POPS at the Met Philadelphia series. Outside the concert hall, free Salute Series performances – including Memorial Salute, July 3 POPS on Independence, July 4 POPS on the Parkway and the I’ll Be Home for Christmas: A Salute to the Military and First Responders concert – celebrate the American tradition of service around important national holidays. POPS in Schools enhances music education for 3,000 Philadelphia School District students; and POPS Outside brings POPS music to local communities. The Philly POPS performs as a founding resident company of The Kimmel Cultural Campus, as the Principal Orchestra of the Met Philadelphia, and at venues throughout the mid-Atlantic region.
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.