Last Chance to See Witness to Revolution Over Winter Break at the Museum of the American Revolution, Dec. 21 – Jan. 5

Visit the Museum of the American Revolution over Winter Break, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 – Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, to celebrate the start of a new year and to say goodbye to the Museum’s current special exhibit, Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington’s Tent, closing Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. Plus, learn what the holidays were like on the Revolutionary-era home front with special crafts, activities, pop-up talks and more that explore colonial life during the winter months.

Since opening in February, Witness to Revolution has showcased to more than 60,000 visitors the stories of those who saved Washington’s War Tent, the cornerstone artifact from the Museum’s collection, from being lost over the generations. The exhibition brings together, in many cases for the first time, inspiring works of art, rare documents, and significant historical objects from public and private collections across the United States. “It’ll give you goosebumps,” said Northern Virginia Magazine of Witness to Revolution, which will remain open daily from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. through Jan. 5, 2025, and is included with regular Museum admission.

Please note that the Museum will be closed on Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, and New Year’s Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.

Winter Break at the Museum is sponsored by NJM Insurance Group.

Winter Break Highlights:

• Witness to Revolution Special Exhibit | Daily from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  Be among the last guests to explore Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington’s Tent before it closes on Jan. 5, 2025. This special exhibit greatly expands the story told in the Museum’s award-winning film and brings to life the stories of individuals from all walks of life who saved Washington’s tent from being lost over the generations and who ultimately fashioned this relic into a symbol of the fragile American republic. Throughout Winter Break, join a Museum educator for a 10-minute, in-gallery talk to learn more about Washington’s tent being set up in the snow after the war. 

• Crafts in Revolution Place | Daily from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  Explore the Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place, which will transform into the winter of 1778! Walk through a scene of frost-covered windows, logs piled by the fire, and 18th-century coats and cloaks as you learn about what Philadelphia would have been like in the snowy winter months and how they celebrated the winter holidays. Plus, kids can make and take home festive crafts like tin-punch lanterns, cookie mold ornaments, cut-paper snowflakes, and “illuminations” inspired by artist Charles Willson Peale’s window displays.

• “Meet Joseph Plumb Martin” Performances | Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 21-22, and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 28-29, at 1:15 p.m. & 3:15 p.m.
  Experience the Museum’s first-person theatrical performance portraying Continental Army soldier Joseph Plumb Martin, one of the thousands of teenaged soldiers in General George Washington's army, who wanted to prove he was "as warm a patriot as the best of them." This performance is appropriate for all audiences.

• In-Gallery Talk: Winter Scenes of the Revolution | Daily at 1:30 p.m.
  Join a Museum educator for a 20-minute, in-gallery talk at two wintery tableau scenes in the core galleries. The first scene depicts a brawl in Harvard Yard where Continental soldiers from different regions fought each other in camp. As an older man writing his pension application, Israel Trask, who was 11 years old at the time, recalled watching George Washington leap into a fight between American soldiers, pull the men apart, and restore order in his camp. The second scene depicts Charles Willson Peale reuniting with his unrecognizably ragged brother James on the banks of the Delaware on Dec. 8, 1776, after James had served as an officer under Washington through the long New York campaign.

• In-Gallery Talk: Children’s Toys | Daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  Join a Museum educator for a 10-minute in-gallery talk about children’s toys, on loan to the Museum from the New-York Historical Society, that were excavated from British Revolutionary War campsites around New York City. The toys, which include a miniature lamb, goose, broom, and platter, are reminders that the children of British soldiers accompanied the army and camp followers in America.

• Winter Garments Demo | Saturday, Dec. 21 – Monday, Dec. 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  What did people wear to stay warm during the cold winter months in the late 18th century? Drop by this station to learn the answers from and Museum educator – and maybe even try a few replica items on! 

• Holiday Shopping | Onsite Daily & Online, Any Time
  It’s the season of giving! Let us help you find the perfect last-minute gift for your friends and family this holiday season. From gift memberships to unique gift options for all ages in the Museum Shop, the Museum has the perfect selection of meaningful gifts for the history buffs in your life. To shop online any time, visit shop.amrevmuseum.org.

Museum Holiday Hours

• Saturday, Dec. 21 – Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• MUSEUM CLOSED Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2025

• Thursday, Dec. 26 – Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• MUSEUM CLOSED Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025

• Thursday, Jan. 2 – Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

All Winter Break 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.

Witness to Revolution is sponsored by The Reese Family: Philip, Lee, and Natalie & Kleon, and The Society of the Lees of Virginia, A. Bruce* and Margaret Mainwaring, Nancy and Morris W. Offit, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, James and Jean Crystal, The Davenport Family Foundation, Eileen and Beverly DuBose and Frances and Beverly DuBose Foundation, Landenberger Family Foundation, The Nor’ Easter Foundation, Lanny and Ann Patten, Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company, Margot Perot, Society of Cincinnati of Maryland, American Heritage Credit Union, Anonymous, David Bernstein, Jean-Pierre and Elizabeth Bouvel, D.M. DiLella Family Foundation, Brad du Pont, The Haverford Trust Company, Brian and Barbara Hendelson, Virginia Kamsky, Jacqueline Mars, Pamela J. and James D. Penny, The Richardson Foundation, Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, and the Roy J. Zuckerberg Family Foundation, with in-kind support provided by Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired. *deceased

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.