Kids can head to the Museum of the American Revolution this weekend for free to join in on everything this cultural institution has to offer in celebration of the Sept. 2 birthday of James Forten, who is featured in the special exhibition ‘Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia.’
The free admission is available through the front desk (note, not online) and is available for kiddos 12 and under. When headed to the Museum this weekend, families will be able to check out pop-up talks, discovery carts, crafts, and other family-friendly activities all aimed towards the ‘Black Founders’ exhibit.
As a release states, in this specific exhibit, visitors of all ages will discover the life and legacy of free Black Philadelphian, Revolutionary War privateer, and successful business owner James Forten and his family as they navigated the American Revolution and became leaders in the abolition and women’s suffrage movements. In the Museum’s Revolution Place discovery center, kids can also decorate a ship craft to take home inspired by James Forten’s privateering adventures.
Other Labor Day activities being offered include a special showcase with a Museum educator at the ‘Brave Men as Ever Fought’ painting by artist Don Troiani. While there, visitors will learn about the Black and Native American troops of the Rhode Island Regiment marching past the Pennsylvania State House (aka Independence Hall) on Sept. 2, 1781 while heading to Yorktown.
And it’s that scene that James Forten saw himself in person on his 15th birthday (which you’ll see in the portrait.)
Speaking of James Forten, families can also meet the historical figure on Saturday, Sept. 2, at 1:15 p.m. and again at 3:15 p.m. The first-person theatrical performance stars Nathan Alford Tate and was written by Marissa Kennedy and covers Forten’s experiences coming of age in Philadelphia and serving as a privateer during the Revolutionary War.
The release also states that the Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place, will be open daily to explore the Museum’s lively, diverse Old City neighborhood during the 1700s through hands-on exploration in four key recreated historical environments, including a military encampment, a tavern, a home, and an 18th-century meeting house. Plus, there will be the chance to decorate your own paper sloop inspired by the privateering adventures of James Forten as explored in the ‘Black Founders’ exhibit.
Philadelphians who head to the MoAR for Labor Day weekend will also be able to design a cap to take home like those worn by the Black and Native American troops of the Rhode Island Regiment, plus get a close up look at replica objects to learn more about the service of Black soldiers during the Revolutionary War.
Additionally, the Museum’s Patriots of Color Archive (which features nearly 200 documents bearing the names of Black and Native American soldiers who served in the Continental Army) will be on display, as will the True Colours Flag Project.
The latter is on display for one last weekend, so families who head there over Labor Day will be among some of the last to check out the process of recreating — and the history behind — these large flags flown by 18th-century ships at sea during the Revolutionary War.
The MoAR’s Labor Day weekend festivities will also feature guided gallery tours and neighborhood walks, which are available for extra ticketed options. The tour options include 90-minute outdoor walking tours, and can be purchased online or at the front desk.
As the release finishes, all other Labor Day Weekend activities are included with regular Museum admission. Kids 12 and under receive free admission throughout Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 2 – 4. ‘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. All tickets are valid for two consecutive days.
