The Museum of the American Revolution is inviting families to spend the final days of summer exploring history.
During Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sept. 1, visitors can enjoy family-friendly activities, live performances, and more. Children 12 and under will receive free admission when tickets are purchased at the museum’s front desk throughout the holiday weekend. (Note: the offer is not available online).
Young guests can also experience the Museum’s new History Explorers Audio Tour, designed for children ages 7-12. The tour brings Revolutionary-era stories to life with first-person interpretations of historical figures such as King George III, Phillis Wheatley, and even a Liberty Tree. Incorporating sensory and tactile activities, the audio tour guides listeners from 1763 Colonial America to the present day in an engaging, educational, and memorable experience. The History Explorers Audio Tour is available for check out at the museum’s front desk.
Some Labor Day Weekend highlights include:
Meet the Revolution: Daniel Sieh
Taking place on Saturday, Aug. 30, (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), living historian Daniel Sieh will join the Museum to help explore the lives of Asians in the United States in the 18th century. Through documents, activities, and objects, Sieh will unpack how global trade connected the lives of Asian sailors, soldiers, traders, and enslaved people as they navigated American society as strangers from a distant land.
Meet Joseph Plumb Martin
Watch a 30-minute first-person theatrical performance portraying Continental Army soldier Joseph Plumb Martin, one of the thousands of teenaged soldiers in General George Washington’s army. The performance stars Chris Roche as Joseph Plumb Martin and was written by Ryan Schwartz, and will take place Aug. 30 and 31, at 1:15 and 3:15 p.m.
Meet Elizabeth Freeman
The Museum will host another first-person theatrical performance, this one portraying the life and experiences of Elizabeth Freeman, also known as Mumbet, a Massachusetts woman who sued for her freedom from enslavement and won. Starring Katelyn E. Appiah-Kubi as Elizabeth Freeman, the performances takes place on Monday, Sept. 1, at 1:15 and 3:15 p.m.
Revolution Place
The Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place, will be open daily (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to explore the Museum’s lively, diverse Old City neighborhood during the 1700s through hands-on exploration in three key recreated historical environments, including a military encampment, a tavern, and an 18th-century home.
In-Gallery Talk: The Promise of Equality
Visitors can join a Museum educator in the Declaration of Independence gallery to discuss the promises of the Declaration and how different people seized the opportunity to advocate for equal rights in 1776 and afterwards. Plus, learn more about the connections between these Revolutionary-era events and figures to later movements advocating for equal rights in America. The in-gallery talks are held daily at 11:30 a.m.
Unpack a Sea Chest
Join a Museum educator (daily, 2:30 p.m.) for stories about what life was like at sea during the Revolutionary War for the Continental Navy, privateers, and prisoners of war, and learn about the different roles needed to operate Revolutionary-era ships.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 215.253.6731 or visit AmRevMuseum.org
