Museum Honors Nation’s First Veterans during Veterans Day Weekend

Free Admission for Veterans and Military Courtesy of Comcast NBCUniversal

More than 200,000 people fought for American independence during the Revolutionary War. During Veterans Day Weekend, the Museum of the American Revolution will honor America’s first veterans as well as those who have served and continue to serve our nation today. 

From Saturday, Nov. 10 – Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, the Museum will offer free admission to veterans, active/retired members of the military, and Blue Star Families, courtesy of Comcast NBCUniversal. Throughout the weekend, visitors can write notes thanking the soldiers of today for their service.

Visitors also can donate to the American Legion Auxiliary and receive a red crepe paper poppy that was handmade by veterans as part of their therapeutic rehabilitation. Proceeds will assist disabled and hospitalized veterans.

Each visitor to the Museum will receive a card with the name of a Revolutionary veteran to follow through the war. At the conclusion of the core exhibition, visitors can match the name to an actual photograph of the veterans who lived through the Revolutionary War and survived into the age of photography.

On Friday, Nov. 9 at Noon in Liberty Hall, New York Times-bestselling author Russell Shorto will discuss his book Revolution Song: A Story of American Freedom, which presents the diverse experiences of six individuals who served the Revolutionary cause. A book signing will follow. It is free with regular museum admission.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can join a Museum educator for a 30-minute walking tour to Washington Square Park, where thousands of Revolutionary soldiers lie buried in mass graves. Tours will depart from the Museum’s rotunda at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tours are $3 in addition to regular museum admission (onsite only, space is limited). All proceeds will be donated to the American Legion Auxiliary.

On Sunday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in Liberty Hall, the Museum’s curatorial and education teams will unpack and care for the Museum’s hand-stitched replica of Washington’s Headquarters Tent. Visitors can learn about the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard and other Revolutionaries, like Alexander Hamilton, who met inside it.

Each day at 3 p.m., visitors will have the opportunity to meet a costumed Joseph Plumb Martin historical interpreter as he prepares to leave the army in 1781, recalling his seven years of service and looking to life after the war.

Visitors also can explore the connections between Alexander Hamilton, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, and the city of Philadelphia in Hamilton Was Here: Rising Up in Revolutionary Philadelphia. The experience runs from Oct. 27, 2018 – March 17, 2019. It is free with regular museum admission, and is open on weekdays from 1 – 5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

About Museum of the American Revolution
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 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, 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.