Press Releases
Revolutionize Your Summer with Special Events and Activities for All Ages at the Museum
April 24, 2023Don’t Miss the Special Exhibition Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia
Make this summer one for the history books! Join us at the Museum of the American Revolution in historic Philadelphia for a Revolutionary Summer with a jam-packed lineup of special exhibitions, events, and activities for visitors of all ages. Plus, don’t miss the Museum’s special holiday weekends as we celebrate Memorial Day, Flag Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, and Labor Day.
Throughout the summer, visitors to our special exhibition Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia will discover the incredible story of free Black Philadelphian James Forten and his remarkable family, from the Revolutionary era through the Civil War and Reconstruction. The exhibit brings together – for the first time – more than 100 historical artifacts, including family heirlooms that had never before been seen by the public. Kids can complete a scavenger hunt in the exhibit to win a prize.
The Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place, will be open daily from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. all summer long for kids of all ages to explore immersive, interactive environments, including a 18th-century military encampment, tavern, home, and meeting house. Access to Revolution Place is included with regular Museum admission.
The Museum’s Cross Keys Café offers locally sourced snacks and meals, a made-to-order barista menu, and seasonal outdoor seating. Beer and wine are also available. The Museum Shop is open during the Museum’s operating hours with gifts for grads and dads, summer apparel for all ages, and much more.
Special Summer Events
- During Memorial Day Weekend from Saturday, May 27 – Monday, May 29, 2023, visitors can pay tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in service of our nation and celebrate the freedoms they fought to secure for future generations. Special activities include theatrical performances and the chance to write a thank-you card to service members. Veterans, military, and Blue Star Families receive free admission all weekend.
- On Flag Day, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, learn about flags of “all kinds of colours” through pop-up talks about Revolutionary-era flags, a flag sewing demonstration, and a vibrant display of our True Colours Flag Project. Every visitor will get a free miniature flag to take home.
- During Juneteenth Weekend, from Saturday, June 17 – Monday, June 19, 2023, explore the continuing struggle for equality for all and learn about Black Revolutionaries through pop-up talks, discovery carts, theatrical performances, gallery tours, our Finding Freedom gallery guide, and more.
- This Fourth of July Weekend, Friday, June 30 – Tuesday, July 4, 2023, join the Museum to discover the American Revolution and its ongoing relevance through a naturalization ceremony, heart-pounding drumline performances, costumed living history, History Explorers kids activities, a collaborative art project, and more.
- Over Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 2 – Monday, September 4, 2023, join the Museum for family-friendly activities, crafts, and more. Kids 12 years old and younger will receive free admission throughout the holiday weekend (in-Museum only).
Summer Guided Tours
Explore the Museum and its historic neighborhood with an expert guide this summer! Tours include:
- Ninety-minute Outdoor Walking Tours, which explore iconic sites in the Museum’s historic Old City neighborhood. Take a Revolutionary City-themed tour to imagine the experiences of everyday people in the Revolutionary era or a Black Founders of Philadelphia tour to learn about the rich Black history of Philadelphia.
- One-hour indoor Gallery Highlights Tours, which showcase objects and explore how the diverse groups of people living in North America experienced the American Revolution, including Loyalists, Hessians, free and enslaved people of African descent, women at home and at war, and other Revolutionaries.
- One-hour Black Voices of the Revolution Tours of the core exhibit galleries, which highlight a diverse set of stories, experiences, and objects related to people of African descent during the American Revolution.
- Hour-long Early Access Guided Tours, which offer guests an exclusive, private opportunity to experience a guided tour of the Museum’s core galleries or special exhibition before they open to the public.
- Audio Tours, which offer guests insight into the Museum’s core galleries and special exhibits.
For additional tours, tickets, and more information, visit AmRevMuseum.org/visit-tour.
Meet the Revolution
Explore the voices, viewpoints, and experiences of the diverse people of the Revolutionary era with the Museum’s Meet the Revolution living history series. Inside the Museum and on our outdoor plaza, costumed historical interpreters make history come alive through theatrical performances, dynamic storytelling, and hands-on demonstrations. Interpreters this summer include:
For dates and more information about Meet the Revolution, which is part of the Museum’s African American Interpretive Program sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal, visit AmRevMuseum.org/meet-the-revolution.
Ways to Save
- With the Museum’s Family Four Pack, get two adult tickets and two youth (ages 6-17) tickets for $55 – a savings of $13! Available for online purchase only.
- Get discounted admission to the Museum using Philadelphia CityPASS to visit the city’s top attractions or show your SEPTA Key card at the front desk for $2 off admission.
- Purchase a joint ticket to the Museum and the National Constitution Center to experience the whole story of our nation’s founding. Or get $4 off Museum admission by showing your ticket stub from the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) at our front desk.
- Blue Star Families receive free admission to the Museum from Memorial Day through Labor Day. ACCESS Cardholders and SNAP recipients receive free Museum admission throughout the year.
For additional ways to save, visit AmRevMuseum.org/at-the-museum/visit/visit-hours.
The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Black Founders is open from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is included with regular Museum admission. Tickets to the Museum can be purchased by calling 215.253.6731, at AmRevMuseum.org, or at the front desk. Save $3 per adult ticket by purchasing online. Kids ages 5 and under are always free. All tickets are valid for two consecutive days.
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 a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.