Make it a Revolutionary Summer at the Museum of the American Revolution

Escape “the melting Heats of a Philadelphia Summer” (John Adams) at the Museum of the American Revolution with extended hours, family-friendly activities, History After Hours evening events, and new guided tours of the Museum and its historic neighborhood. And enjoy special weekend-long events in celebration of Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.

New this summer, start your visit with a “Continental” Breakfast in the Museum’s first-floor Patriots Gallery and enjoy a continental breakfast buffet with a costumed Continental soldier on Fridays from June 22 – August 31. Then, explore the Museum with the new Family Four Pack, which includes two adult tickets and two children’s tickets for $50 (savings of $12) from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The whole family can discover what life was like in Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War in the Museum’s new discovery center, Revolution Place, which opens June 9. And be sure to plan your Revolutionary itinerary at www.AmRevHQ.org, which highlights the numerous local and regional sites where history was made, including battlefields, burial grounds, historic houses, and more.

From June 16 – Sept. 2, the Museum will offer extended summertime hours from 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. (7 p.m. from July 1 – 4). After Labor Day, Museum hours will return to 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.           

Family-Friendly Activities:

• In the Museum’s first-floor Patriots Gallery, try on Revolutionary-inspired clothing, design a flag, decode secret messages and practice drilling like a Revolutionary soldier. Daily from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., free with regular Museum admission
• In the Museum’s new Revolution Place discovery center, explore 18th-century Philadelphia through immersive environments, interactive touchscreens, reproduction objects, and special programs. After June 9, Mon – Thurs from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Fri – Sun from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Enjoy a “Continental” Breakfast Buffet with a costumed Continental soldier on Fridays from June 22 – August 31 from 9 – 10 a.m. in the Museum’s Patriots Gallery. Tickets are $45 adults, $35 youth, $15 children 6 and under (members receive a $10 discount) and include Museum admission. They are available for purchase here.
• At an Archaeology Conservation Station, watch as artifacts from the excavation of the Museum’s site are cleaned and reassembled, and then handle replica objects. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 – 3 p.m., free with regular Museum admission
• Look (and listen!) for a Revolutionary musician on the Museum’s outdoor plaza to enjoy patriotic tunes and learn about the importance of music during the Revolutionary War. Weekends in June and August, daily in July from 1 – 3 p.m., free

Guided Tours:

• One-hour Early Access Guided Tours offer guests an exclusive opportunity to experience a guided tour through the Museum’s exhibits before they open to the public. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 9 – 10 a.m., $50 for general admission, $35 members
• One-hour Family Highlights Tours engage all ages in a guided tour of the Museum’s exhibits. Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 – 11 a.m., $12 per person in addition to regular admission
• Audio Tours will be available for the Museum’s core exhibition beginning May 26. $5 for general admission, $3 for members, in addition to regular Museum admission
• One-hour Walking Tours explore the Museum’s historic Old City neighborhood. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 – 5 p.m., $12 in addition to regular Museum admission
• Join a Museum educator for a 30-minute Tableau Talk highlighting stories told through the Museum’s tableau, or recreated historical scenes. Mondays-Thursdays from 2 – 2:30 p.m., free with regular Museum admission

History After Hours

• The Museum’s monthly History After Hours series will continue throughout the summer with extended evening hours from 5 – 8 p.m., special themed programs, happy hour food and drink specials, and full access to the Museum’s exhibits. $10 admission (includes exhibit access)
• On Tuesday, June 19, History After Hours will be themed around Sailors and Sea Shanties and will include shipbuilding demonstrations and sea shanty sing-alongs aboard the Museum’s replica privateer ship.
• On Tuesday, July 17, a Trash Talk archaeology-themed History After Hours will unearth the exciting discoveries made during the excavation of the Museum’s site.
• On Tuesday, August 21, a Revolutionary Staycation-themed History After Hours will highlight the region’s rich array of Revolutionary sites and their unique stories.

Special Events

Highlights of the Museum’s special events this summer include:

• During Memorial Day Weekend from May 26 – 28, the Museum will honor America’s first fallen soldiers and sailors. Veterans and active/retired military will receive free admission courtesy of Comcast NBCUniversal.
• ​In honor of Flag Day, the Museum will bring out of its archives the Commander-in-Chief’s Standard, the flag that marked George Washington’s presence on the battlefield, marking its first appearance in Philadelphia in decades. It will be on display from Flag Day, Thursday, June 14 – Father's Day, Sunday, June 17.
• From June 30 – July 4, the Museum will celebrate Independence Day with a participatory art project on the outdoor plaza. Guests are encouraged to reflect on the meaning and impact of the American Revolution by tying a ribbon to a "Declarations Wall." Inside the Museum, they can learn about the many declarations of independence across the world that were inspired by that of the United States.
• On Saturday, August 18, the Museum of the American Revolution will host Drumming Up Attention, a fife and drum party on the Museum’s outdoor plaza to celebrate the musicians of the Continental Army who helped the United States win its independence.
• During Labor Day Weekend, kids 12 and under will receive free admission to the Museum from Saturday, Sept. 1 – Monday, Sept. 3. Lauren Tarshis, author of the I Survived series, will make a special appearance.

Ways to Save

• Get discounted admission to the Museum using the Philadelphia CityPASS or Philadelphia Pass to visit the city’s top attractions.
• Purchase a discounted joint ticket to the Museum and the National Constitution Center to experience the whole story of our nation’s founding. Available online here or the front desk.
• With the Museum’s new Family Four Pack, get two adult tickets and two children’s tickets for $50 (savings of $12), from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Available for purchase at the front desk.

About Museum of the American Revolution
Opened on April 19, 2017, the Museum of the American Revolution explores the dramatic, surprising story of the American Revolution through its unmatched collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art. Immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and digital touchscreens bring to life the diverse array of people who created a new nation against incredible odds. Visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in the ongoing promise of the American Revolution. 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 is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.