Labor Day Weekend Marks the Last Chance to See "Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War" Special Exhibition

Free Admission for Kids During Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 3-5

Explore France’s Role in the American Revolution Through Crafts, Pop-Up Talks, Discovery Carts, Costumed Interpreters and More

Labor Day Weekend marks the last chance to see the special exhibition Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War at the Museum of the American Revolution. Kids 12 years old and younger will receive free Museum admission throughout the holiday weekend (available only at the Museum’s front desk, not online) from Saturday, September 3 – Monday, September 5, 2022.

Liberty, the first major exhibition of original artwork by nationally renowned historical artist Don Troiani, brings together more than 45 paintings alongside historic artifacts that illuminate the story in each scene. The exhibition is on view through September 5 and is included with regular Museum admission. Families can enjoy the special exhibition with a printed family guide full of games and activities and complete a scavenger hunt to win a prize.

Throughout the weekend, visitors also will learn about the Continental Army's alliance with France and comte de Rochambeau's march through Philadelphia on Sept. 2, 1781, en route to Yorktown, with costumed living history interpreters, discovery carts, pop-up talks, hands-on crafts, a bilingual gallery guide, and a new French language audio tour. French-themed offerings are sponsored by the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail of the National Park Service.

Labor Day Weekend Highlights:

• Last Chance: Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War
  Open daily from 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Included with regular Museum admission
  The Museum's current special exhibition, open through Sept. 5, 2022, immerses visitors in the dramatic and research-based works of nationally renowned historical artist Don Troiani. Don’t miss Troiani’s “Brave Men as Ever Fought” painting, which depicts a formative moment in the life of free Black Philadelphia James Forten in front of the Pennsylvania State House on Sept. 2, 1781, Forten's 15th birthday. Plus, learn more about the French allies under the comte de Rochambeau, who marched through Philadelphia on their way to Yorktown that day. 
• Costumed Living History: French and Continental Soldiers
  Daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  Costumed living historians portraying French soldiers, Continental Army soldiers, and civilians will be roaming the Museum to discuss and demonstrate what life was like during the Revolutionary War.
• Pop-up 10-Minute Talks: The Siege of Yorktown Painting
  Daily from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  Join a Museum educator in the second-floor atrium to learn about this massive, full-size replica painting commemorating the October 1781 Siege of Yorktown in Virginia. The scene depicts French General comte de Rochambeau, General George Washington, and General Marquis de Lafayette standing in front of a striped officer’s tent surrounded by French officers and soldiers who fought alongside Washington’s army.
• Discovery Cart: The American, Haitian, and French Revolutions
  Daily from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  Join a Museum educator to learn more about the surprising connections between three different revolutions in three different parts of the world — the American Revolution, the Haitian Revolution, and the French Revolution.
• Crafts in Revolution Place Discovery Center
  Daily, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  The Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place, will be open daily for hands-on exploration of four key recreated historical environments, including a military encampment, a tavern, a home, and an 18th-century meeting house. Don’t miss the chance to make your own French cockade, a colorful, circular ribbon typically worn on a hat.
• First-Person Theatrical Performances James Forten
  Saturday & Sunday at 1:15 p.m.
  Watch a performance about James Forten’s life and legacy as a free Black Philadelphian, Revolutionary War sailor, successful businessman, and stalwart abolitionist. The performance is written by local playwright Marissa Kennedy and performed by actor Nathan Alford-Tate. Following Alford-Tate's performance each day, he will be portraying Forten on the Museum's privateer ship in the core exhibition as part of our Meet the Revolution series.
• First-Person Theatrical Performance: Joseph Plumb Martin
  Saturday, Sunday, Monday at 12:15 & 2:15 p.m.
  Experience a performance portraying Continental Army soldier Joseph Plumb Martin, performed by Jaried Kimberley and written by Ryan Schwartz. Martin was one of the thousands of teenaged soldiers in General George Washington's army and went on to write Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier, which was published in 1830 and is one of the best-known Revolutionary War memoirs depicting the life of an ordinary soldier. A copy of his memoir is on display in Liberty.
• French Translation of Audio Tour & Gallery Guide
  The Museum will debut a French translation of the audio tour of our core exhibition over Labor Day weekend. The audio tour, which is currently available in English and Spanish, provides additional insight into the objects and exhibits, behind-the-scenes details of the Museum’s creation, and opportunities to dig deeper into the stories behind the art and artifacts on display. Plus, a gallery guide will be available for visitors to dive deeper into the French connections in the Museum’s galleries.

All Labor Day Weekend activities are included with regular Museum admission. Tickets can be purchased at www.amrevmuseum.org, by calling 215.253.6731, or at the front desk. Kids 12 and under are free during Labor Day Weekend. All tickets are valid for two consecutive days. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with enhanced health and safety protocols. The special exhibition is open from 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily and is included with regular Museum admission.

Liberty is presented by Bank of America. Comcast NBCUniversal is the exhibition’s education sponsor. Additional support is provided by Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of Pritzker Military Museum & Library, Lanny and Ann Patten, The Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution and its Color Guard, NJM Insurance Group, State Society of the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania, Cynthia Sweeney, and Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail of the National Park Service. In-kind support provided by Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired.

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.