Commemorate Memorial Day virtually with the MOAR

Although Memorial Day does feel a bit different this year, the Museum of the American Revolution is still offering a way for Philadelphians to commemorate the occasion—just virtually instead of in person. 

Throughout the duration of Memorial Day weekend, the organization located in Old City will be paying tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in service to our country and will ultimately help celebrate the freedoms they valiantly retrieved for us and future generations. Everyone is invited to partake in the different themed activities and events starting Saturday, May 23, through Monday, May 25. 

Kicking off the weekend’s slate will be a special video presentation with the MOAR’s Associate Curator Matthew Skic on Facebook, Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. According to the release, the presentation will offer viewers a way to learn about memorialization in the museum’s galleries through the stories of Revolutionary soldiers and officers such as Polish cavalryman Casimir Pulaski, Colonel Jonathan Pettibone, and Gershom Prince, a Black soldier who was killed in action.

There is also a special activity for kiddos to participate in as well. Available to download Sunday through the museum’s Facebook will be a special coloring page with a message of gratitude for service members. The design also features Washington’s Standard, the flag that marked General George Washington’s presence on the battlefield during the Revolutionary War (the real item is also on display at the MOAR.) As an extra bonus, there will also be instructions available on how to mail the picture, or other cards and letters to service members. 

There will be another craft activity available for anyone who’s feeling artsy this weekend. The museum will be posting instructions on how to create your own commemorative ribbon craft, based on silk ribbons given to Revolutionary War veterans through the MOAR’s Facebook and website on Monday, May 25, at 8 a.m. Participants can then show off their completed artwork on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter by tagging @AmRevMuseum.

But that’s not all. According to the release, viewers will also be able to partake in the opportunity to learn about the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier at Independence National Historical Park’s Washington Square — located just two blocks from the museum — where thousands of Revolutionary soldiers lie buried in a mass grave. An illustrated blog post will be posted on the museum’s website and Facebook on Monday, May 25, at 1 p.m.

As always, Philadelphians can also explore the museum’s Virtual Museum Tour and Virtual Field Trip anytime to learn the more about who served and what was sacrificed during the American Revolution.

To learn more information on the Museum of the American Revolution and its virtual offerings for Memorial Day weekend, visit amrevmuseum.org