Revolutionary Women
Women contributed to the American Revolution in many ways—as makers supplying the Continental Army, as camp followers who joined the army to fight, as political thinkers and writers—but their efforts have long been overlooked.
Special Exhibits
In addition to those featured throughout the core galleries, women's stories are also featured in special exhibitions.
Virtual Exhibit
When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story
Explore this online exhibit to learn the little-known history of the nation’s first women voters.
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Virtual Exhibit
Black Founders Virtual Tour
Immerse yourself in 360-degree panoramic gallery images, high-resolution photos of the artifacts and documents, a guided audio tour, and music station to explore the story of free Black Philadelphian James Forten and his descendants.
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Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington's Tent
February 17, 2024 - January 5, 2025Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington's Tent brought to life the journey of George Washington’s tent from the Revolutionary War to an enduring symbol of the American republic.
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The Declaration’s Journey
October 18, 2025 - January 3, 2027The Declaration's Journey explores the history and global impact of the Declaration of Independence from 1776 to today and showcases how it has become one of the most influential political documents in modern history.
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Collection Highlights
Artifacts in the Museum's collection help tell the story of women during the American Revolution.
Biography of Deborah Sampson
Deborah Sampson worked with editor Herman Mann to write this biography that documented her life and wartime story of dressing in men's clothes to serve in the army.
Mary McIlvaine Bloomfield Miniature
This small portrait of Mary McIlvaine Bloomfield, who may have voted in New Jersey in 1803, was painted around 1778 by Philadelphia artist Charles Willson Peale.
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Photograph of Mehitable Potter
This photograph of Mehitable Potter, taken in the 100th year of her life, shows one of the last surviving members of the Revolutionary generation.
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Phillis Wheatley's Poetry
This original copy of Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, published in 1773, was written by Phillis Wheatley, the first published African American woman poet.
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Camp Followers
Camp followers joined both the Continental and British armies during the Revolutionary War, supporting the troops by sewing, doing laundry, and selling food to soldiers.
Eyewitness Sketch of the North Carolina Brigade
This eyewitness sketch shows soldiers and camp followers of the Continental Army’s North Carolina Brigade marching through Philadelphia on Aug. 25, 1777.
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Forgotten Revolutionaries: Camp Followers Discovery Cart
Learn about the women and children who served vital roles while traveling with both the British and Revolutionary armies during the Revolutionary War.
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First-Person Performances
The Museum's original first-person theatrical performances bring to life the diverse lives, perspectives, and experiences of people from the Revolutionary era.
"Meet Elizabeth Freeman" Performance
Watch the original first-person theatrical performance portraying the life and experiences of Elizabeth Freeman, a Massachusetts woman who sued for her freedom from enslavement and won, produced in conjunction with our 2020-21 exhibit, When Women Lost the Vote.
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"Meet Rebecca VanDike" Performance
Watch the original first-person theatrical performance portraying Rebecca VanDike, an early woman voter in New Jersey, produced in conjunction with our 2020-21 past special exhibit, When Women Lost the Vote.
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"Finding Freedom: Deborah’s Choice" Performance
Deborah's Choice is a first-person theatrical performance starring Taylor J. Mitchell that brings to life the decisions faced by 16-year-old Deborah, who was enslaved at Mount Vernon, as she decides whether to seek freedom or stay behind.
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Museum Programs
Watch Museum programming about Revolutionary Women.
World Affairs and the Enduring Revolution: Women’s Rights
The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and the Museum of the American Revolution presented a panel discussion examining women's rights from the 1770s to today.
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"Remember the Ladies": A New Choral Work by Melissa Dunphy
In March 2021, composer Melissa Dunphy joined the Museum for the choral world premiere of “Remember the Ladies,” featuring Abigail Adams's famous letter set for an a cappella chorus, performed by PhilHarmonia.
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Deborah Sampson Unveiled: A Virtual Conversation
In April 2021, costume designer Emilio Sosa, author and Sampson descendent Alex Myers, and the Museum's Tyler Putman's explored the life and dress of Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man to fight in the Revolutionary War, in a discussion co-presented by American Repertory Theater.
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Betsy Ross Beyond the Flag with American Repertory Theater
Watch this March 2022 event hosted by American Repertory Theater and the Museum for a conversation exploring Betsy Ross’s influence on the cultural memory of women’s contributions to the American Revolution.
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AmRev360
AmRev360: Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History with Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich joined the latest episode of the Museum's AmRev360 series, hosted by President & CEO Dr. R. Scott Stephenson.
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Ona Judge Virtual "Walking" Tour
Hear the extraordinary story of Ona Judge and visit the sites that played a part in her journey towards freedom with Museum educator Michael Idriss.
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Read More
Explore blog posts, an interactive, and books from the Museum's Read the Revolution series about women's stories.
Mary Wollstonecraft and Women Voters in America
Read more about how English philosopher and feminist thinker Mary Wollstonecraft's writing influenced American women in the 18th century and beyond.
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The Declaration's Journey
The 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession
Expanding on the suffrage stories presented in "The Declaration’s Journey", discover the story of the Woman Suffrage Procession in Washington, DC in 1913.
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Read the Revolution
Browse Read the Revolution featuring a curated collection of excerpts from exciting, thought-provoking books about the American Revolution.
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Abigail & John
Discover the story of second First Lady Abigail Adams and her husband John in this online interactive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to frequently asked questions about women in the Revolutionary era.