Museum of the American Revolution Closes Capital Campaign with $165 Million Raised, Exceeding Goal by 10 Percent

PHILADELPHIA, JAN. 22, 2018 — The Museum of the American Revolution announced today that its founding campaign has raised $165 million. The campaign to build, open, and endow the Museum had an original goal of $150 million and officially concluded December 31, 2017, having exceeded its goal by 10 percent.  

The Museum’s capital campaign, which began in 2010, included $120 million to build and open the Museum, $5 million for an operating reserve, and $25 million for an endowment. The Museum opened in April 2017 under-budget and debt-free – important achievements for a new institution.  

“We are grateful to the many donors who stepped forward to help realize this vision,” said Gov. Edward G. Rendell, Chair of the Museum’s Campaign Committee. “Thanks to the dedicated work by our board members and staff, we’ve received an outpouring of support and have not just reached, but far exceeded our goal. As a result, we’ve been able to create a truly exceptional national museum that tells the inspiring history of the creation of our nation.”   

Since opening in April 2017, the Museum has welcomed over one quarter of a million visitors, of whom 30,000 have been schoolchildren.

Major gifts to the campaign include $50 million in matching grants from H. F. (Gerry) Lenfest and his wife, Marguerite, $30 million from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, and $10 million from the Oneida Indian Nation. The rest was privately funded by leading philanthropists as well as more than 19,000 individuals from every state in the union.  

“We and the nation are indebted to Gerry Lenfest, whose unwavering leadership and unmatched generosity during his eleven years as Chair of the Museum transformed the dream of the Museum into reality,” said General John P. Jumper, Chair of the Museum’s Board of Directors. “Our President and CEO Michael Quinn led the staff effort to complete the building, exhibits, and the campaign enabling us to open on time and under budget. We applaud him for his efforts and look forward to serving the millions of visitors who come to Philadelphia each year to discover how the American nation was created.”  

In April 2017, the Museum announced it had exceeded its $150 million goal with a $2.5 million gift from The Aileen K. and Brian L. Roberts Foundation and Comcast NBCUniversal, made in honor of the Museum’s architect, Robert A. M. Stern. Stern was also the architect of the Comcast Tower, and the Museum’s entrance rotunda is named the Robert A. M. Stern Rotunda in his honor.  

Although the capital campaign is concluded, potential donors are still welcome to make naming gifts to link their names to galleries, rooms, and staff positions that are important parts of the Museum.

“As the Museum’s visibility grows and people discover the exciting, real-life stories of America’s founding, we will continue to welcome supporters and recognize their generosity,” said Michael Quinn, the Museum’s President and CEO. “The Museum is already an important, highly visible part of the inspiring experience of history in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood.” 

About the Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution explores the dynamic story of the American Revolution using its rich collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, letters, diaries, and works of art. Immersive galleries, theater experiences, and recreated historical environments bring to life the events, people, and ideals of our nation’s founding and engage people in the history and continuing relevance of the American Revolution. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, Carpenters’ Hall, and Franklin Court, 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.