Museum Awarded LEED Gold® in Prestigious Green Building Certification Program

Sustainable Features Include Green Roof and Innovative Stormwater Management System

The Museum of the American Revolution announced today that it has been awarded LEED Gold in recognition of its commitment to energy conservation and environmental awareness. 

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the nation’s most widely recognized and accepted green building rating system. Among the museums’ environmentally friendly features are a green roof and innovative stormwater management and heat-recovery systems.

“The Museum of the American Revolution’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO, USGBC. “LEED was created to make the world a better place and revolutionize the built environment by providing everyone with a healthy, green and high performing buildings. The Museum serves as a prime example of how the work of innovative building projects can use local solutions to make a global impact on the environment.”

The Museum’s state-of-the-art, redbrick and limestone building, located at the corner of Third and Chestnut Streets in Old City Philadelphia, was designed by the renowned Robert A.M. Stern Architects. The three-story, 118,000 sq. ft. building encompasses permanent and temporary exhibit galleries, theaters, education spaces, collection storage, a café, a retail store, and staff offices.

One of the most innovative features, a collaborative design and construction team effort created an unique way to use collected stormwater as cooling tower make-up water. This solution, supported by the Philadelphia Water Department, saves thousands of gallons of water on a daily basis while maintaining strict climate control in collection areas. It is believed to be the first of its kind in Philadelphia. 

“A commitment to sustainability is at the heart of the Museum's mission: the stewardship of history for future generations,” said Alexander P. Lamis, Partner at Robert A.M. Stern Architects. “We were very pleased to work closely with the design and construction teams to achieve LEED Gold certification, an important affirmation for the Museum.”

Highlights of the Museum's efforts include:

• More than 80 percent of lighting is LED, which saves energy and cuts maintenance costs
• A green roof covers 50 percent of the building
• A stormwater retention system recycles as much as 18,000 gallons of water a day
• Approximately 70 percent of the electricity used by the Museum comes from green energy
• Approximately 80 percent of cleaning products used by the Museum are eco-friendly

LEED is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. More than 93,000 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED, comprising more than 2.2 million square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 167 countries and territories.

“Achieving LEED Gold certification is an amazing feat for a museum, especially considering the stringent climate requirements for preserving artifacts,” said John McDevitt, Director of Operations for the Museum. “This award represents the Museum’s commitment to stewardship and sustainability, preserving both our cultural resources and environmental resources for future generations.”

In 2014, the Museum received a generous grant of $100,000 from Chubb Charitable Foundation (formerly ACE Charitable Foundation) to support its efforts to achieve LEED certification.

“Since opening in 2017, the Museum of the American Revolution has taken its place among the essential historical and cultural institutions in Philadelphia that tell the story of America’s founding. The Chubb Charitable Foundation is proud to have supported the museum’s quest to achieve LEED Gold certification,” said Evan G. Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chubb. “Our grant to the museum advances two of the pillars of our philanthropic giving: the environment and education.”

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 interactive digital elements bring to life the diverse array of people that 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.