The British are invading the city this weekend, and Philadelphians are in on the action with the Museum of the American Revolution’s Occupied Philadelphia event.
The annual showcase is back on Nov. 9 and 10 and the Museum will offer guided neighborhood walking tours and family-friendly activities exploring what life was like while British forces controlled – or, for some people, attempted to liberate – Philadelphia.
This living history event will showcase different locations where visitors will interact with soldiers, civilians, Prisoners of War, and spies, while also checking out first-hand talents and trades, such as carpentry, dressmaking, wheelwrighting, leatherwork, and more.
Kick-off to each day will happen at 10 a.m. with 50 costumed historical interpreters gathering on the Museum’s outdoor plaza for the unfurling of the British flag and the reading of British General Howe’s proclamation declaring Philadelphia an occupied city. Immediately after the demonstration, this section of the event will also simulate a marketplace environment where most of the trades mentioned above will live.
The hour-long Walking Tours (departing from the Museum every 30 minutes) on the other hand will take guests on a informative stroll around the historic part of town. These experiences also allow locals to participate in a “spy challenge” to help get involved with the Revolution while walking through Old City. Tour tickets are available online.
Visitors can also participate in a History Explorer Meet-Up on Saturday at 11 a.m. As a release notes, kids and their adults can join in on the family-friendly activity, which has “explorers” meeting British soldiers and everyday residents to get a hands-on glimpse into life under British authority, and to gather the latest information to pass onto the “spymaster.” At least one adult must accompany up to three children for this event, and tickets can be purchased online.
Another stand-out event comes from the Museum Member Teatime (free for members), which will feature light refreshments in the third-floor’s Liberty Hall. With the event, Museum members are invited to stop by the venue’s third-floor Liberty Hall for a spot of tea. The release also states that while enjoying light refreshments, “loyal” members and history explorers alike will have the opportunity to spy on the bustling British-occupied marketplace on the Museum plaza from the terrace above.
A full list of offerings, schedules and exact timing for Occupied Philadelphia 2024 can be found online.
The event also coincides with Veteran’s Day weekend, and to commemorate the occasion, the MoAR will offer free admission to those currently serving in the military, veterans, and Blue Star Families over Occupied Philadelphia Weekend and on Monday, Nov. 11, courtesy of Comcast NBCUniversal.
Activities on the outdoor plaza are free and open to the public. Tickets for the guided walking tours and History Explorers Meet-up may be purchased in advance or on the day of the event. Tickets to the Museum can be purchased by calling 215-253-6731, at AmRevMuseum.org, or at the front desk.
