Katelyn Appiah-Kubi portrays Elizabeth Freeman wearing a blue dress with white apron and hat.

Visit the Museum of the American Revolution over Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend, Saturday, Jan. 18 – Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, to honor the life, service, and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through theatrical performances, pop-up talks, hands-on discovery carts, a poetry activity, and more, visitors can discover the ongoing promise of the American Revolution and explore what it takes to change the world.

Other Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend Highlights:

  • Meet Elizabeth Freeman Performance | Daily at 1:15 p.m. & 3:15 p.m.
    Watch a 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 Katelyn E. Appiah-Kubi as Elizabeth Freeman and was written by Teresa Miller.

  • Meet the Revolution with Leslie Bramlett | Sunday, Jan. 19, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
    Living historian Leslie Bramlett explores the lives of two women of African descent connected to the Revolutionary era: Hannah Archer Till and Ona Judge. Bramlett will share stories about the roles and responsibilities of both women, their connections to George Washington, and how they found their freedom on different paths. Till was an enslaved woman who cooked for General George Washington during his time at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. After gaining her freedom, she continued to work as a paid servant at Washington's headquarters throughout the war. Ona Judge was born enslaved at Mount Vernon in 1774 and later worked as a personal servant for Martha Washington during George's two terms as president.

  • Revolution Place Discovery Center | Daily from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    Explore 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. Throughout the weekend, Revolution Place visitors can participate in an activity based on poetry written by Phillis Wheatley, the first published African American female poet.

  • Gallery Highlights Tour: Black Voices of the Revolution | Daily at 12:00 p.m.
    Join a Museum educator for our 60-minute tour of the core exhibit galleries, which highlights 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 Harry Washington’s international life. Through it all, you’ll have the opportunity to consider what words like freedom, liberty, and equality meant for different people within the Revolutionary era, and how these ideas continue to influence our lives today. Tickets can be purchased here.

  • Discovery Cart: Protest in Early America | Daily from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m..
    Join a Museum educator at this discovery cart that uses images and replica objects to spark conversations about the stories told in the Museum's American Liberties, 1765-1775 gallery. Examine 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.

  • Pop-Up Talks: Phillis Wheatley | Daily from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
    Join a Museum educator at this discovery cart that uses images and replica objects to spark conversations about the stories told in the Museum's “American Liberties, 1765-1775” gallery. Examine how early Americans used boycotts, printed propaganda, violence, and public demonstrations to advocate for various causes and helps guests consider similarities and differences between the 18th century and today. This resource is also available online.

  • Community Engagement Wall | Daily
    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.

All Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend activities are included with regular Museum admission. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 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. Kids 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.