Philadelphia's Museum Of The American Revolution Shows Off Rediscovered Musket Made In 1770s

As Philadelphia gets ready to celebrate America's birthday, a museum in Old City is welcoming a rediscovered musket that was used during the American Revolutionary War.

Monday was a day for celebration at the Museum of the American Revolution as staff debuted a long-lost Revolutionary War musket.

"The assumption was that these things were long gone and would never be seen again," museum CEO Scott Stephenson said.

Historians showed off the .78-caliber musket and its 45-inch barrel while wearing white gloves. It will be on display soon.

Because of the engraving on the weapon's brass plate, experts think it was made in New England in the early 1770s and used by the militia in Providence.

Historians think only 3 or 4 of these types of muskets have been discovered so far.

"We don't know how many of them were made for the town of Providence, Rhode Island, possibly 100," historic arms expert Joel Bohy said.

In 1968 the long gun and other artifacts were stolen from the Valley Forge Historical Society.

In 2003, the museum acquired the remaining collection of artifacts.

Local police and the FBI then opened an investigation for the stolen relics.

Finally, in April of this year, a major break in the case came after Bohy was at an antique arms show.

"I got excited about it, took some photographs," Bohy said. "And then about three weeks later I received a press release with the rest of the missing arms that had been taken in the 60s and 70s. And the first gun on that list was a Providence militia musket."

Bohy contacted police and they were able to recover the musket.

"The rest is history," Bohy said. "They were able to get it back."

It's a rediscovered piece of history that's coming just before Independence Day.

According to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, this is just one of the items that was stolen during the 1968 incident. They're still on the lookout for 31 other artifacts from the American Revolution.

"Either this year or next year is the 250th anniversary of that gun being built," Bohy said. "It's pretty heartwarming that it's actually coming back and that people will be able to come and see it.

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Visit Philly's Latest Overnight Package Includes Tickets To The National Constitution Center, The Museum Of The American Revolution, Hotel Parking & Additional Bonus Perks Valued Up To $214

     

The fall 2019 Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package includes two tickets to the National Constitution Center (left) and two tickets to the Museum of the American Revolution (right), among other perks. 

Credit: A. Ricketts for VISIT PHILADELPHIA® (left) and C. Smyth for VISIT PHILADELPHIA® (right)

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Simple to book, easy to enjoy, the perks-packed Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package, refreshed just in time for the fall season, is perfect for travelers who want to do minimal trip planning. Known for its free and convenient overnight hotel parking, the package also includes museum tickets (Museum of the American Revolution and the National Constitution Center, preeminent institutions for history lovers and anyone interested in how the United States came to be), a restaurant card to use at any of chef Jose Garces’ Philadelphia restaurants and bus passes to get around town (PHLASH^® Downtown Loop). Running from September 12 through November 30, 2019, the Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package is bookable online anytime at visitphilly.com/overnight.

The Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package is available at 44 hotels for one- or two-night stays (available for additional nights at select hotels) and includes perks valued at up to $214:

• Hotel parking (up to a $100 value for a two-night stay at a Center City hotel)
• Two tickets to the National Constitution Center, the one-and-only museum devoted to explaining and exploring the laws that shape the U.S. (a $29 value)
• Two tickets to the Museum of the American Revolution, the world’s first venue to trace independence’s roots through the people who lived through the Revolutionary War (a $50 value)
• $25 restaurant card for Garces Group Philadelphia restaurants (Amada, Distrito, JG Domestic, The Olde Bar, Tinto, Village Whiskey, Volvér. During Restaurant Week, September 15-27, 2019, the card is valid for à la carte dining only.)
• Two all-day passes for the PHLASH Downtown Loop (a $10 value)

“The Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package is easy, convenient and full of great perks,” said Jeff Guaracino, president and CEO, VISIT PHILADELPHIA^®. “Once visitors park their car for free, they have a great base for their trip, thanks to the museum tickets, restaurant card and bus passes. From there, they can easily wander and explore the city’s well-known attractions such as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and many surprises along the way.”

More Reasons To Book The Package:

Not-to-be-missed exhibitions and events give visitors more reasons to book—and stay a while:

• Hamilton – Lin-Manuel Miranda’s modern Broadway blockbuster debuts in the city of Alexander Hamilton’s greatest roles (Revolutionary War artillery officer, presidential advisor, first national bank founder) and his romantic downfall (Reynolds affair). The performance takes place during the Museum of the American Revolution’s Year of Hamilton and the National Constitution Center exhibit, Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes that Shaped a Nation. August 27-November 17, 2019. Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut Street, (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org
• Fringe Festival – For two weeks, Philly hosts cutting-edge, avant-garde performances, street theater, cabarets and more in an American take on Edinburgh, Scotland’s massive arts festival. September 5-21, 2019. Various locations, (215) 413-9006, fringearts.com
• Hispanic Heritage Month – An entire month of Latinx happenings include Mexican Independence Day at Penn’s Landing (September 15) and the Puerto Rican Day Parade on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (September 29). September 14-October 17, 2019. phila.gov
• Festival 019 – Opera Philadelphia returns with four elegant, controversial, classic and cutting-edge premieres and concerts that promise to turn the artform of opera on its head. September 18-29, 2019. Various locations, (215) 732-8400, operaphila.org
• In Motion, In Place: Trisha Brown Dance Company in Fairmount Park – The post-modern dance company presents free site-specific works at three outdoor locations: Foray Forêt at the Mount Pleasant Mansion, Raft Piece at The Discovery Center and Roof Piece on rooftops around Logan Circle. September 24-29, 2 (215) 988-9334, myphillypark.org
• Site/Sound: Revealing the Rail Park – For three Saturdays in October, Philadelphia’s emergent Rail Park and its surrounding neighborhood will host multi-sensory art installations, family programs, music and performances that honor the past, present and future of the historic corridor along the famed Reading Railroad. October 2-19, 2019. Various locations, muralarts.org
• Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg – The National Museum of American Jewish History hosts the first East Coast stop for an exhibition about the second woman and first Jewish woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. October 4, 2019-January 12, 2020. 101 S. Independence Mall East, (215) 923-3811, nmajh.org
• Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit – Please Touch Museum^® presents a larger-than-life exhibit about the work of the prolific children’s author-illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and dozens more titles. October 5, 2019-January 12, 2020. 4231 Avenue of the Republic, (215) 581-3181, pleasetouchmuseum.org
• Old City Fest – Artists, crafters, designers, techies, entertainers and restaurateurs celebrate the creative spirit of a Historic District neighborhood along several blocks filled with activities, exhibits and programs for both families and the over-21 crowd. October 13, 2019. 3^rd & Arch Streets, (215) 592-7929, oldcitydistrict.org
• OutFest – The world’s largest Coming Out Day party features 10 blocks of drag shows, music, bar crawls, shopping and a high-heel race. October 13, 2019. 13^th & Locust Streets, (215) 875-9288, phillygaypride.org
• 30 Americans – The Barnes Foundation presents seminal works by 30 of the country’s most influential contemporary Black artists, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Nick Cave, Barkley L. Hendricks, Kerry James Marshall, Kara Walker and Carrie Mae Weems. October 27, 2019-January 12, 2020. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 278-7000, barnesfoundation.org

VISIT PHILADELPHIA^® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.

Philadelphia's Essential Revolutionary War sites

1.  Essential Revolutionary War Sites Surround Philadelphia

Long before 1775, when the first musket shot was fired in Lexington, the seeds of the American Revolution had taken root in Philadelphia. Today, Philadelphia’s Historic District, home of iconic Independence Hall and dozens more 18^th-century landmarks, offers visitors firsthand experiences of the United States’ early days. In the heart of the district, the remarkable, two-year-old Museum of the American Revolution uses rare artifacts and interactive exhibits to recreate the drama and the details of the country’s dramatic birth. Visitors who want to go beyond the district can discover more rich Revolutionary War history in the Philadelphia countryside’s significant battlefields, historic homes and parks. Here are Philadelphia’s and its environs’ essential Revolutionary War sites.

Visit Phi

Onlookers admire Carpenters' Hall, the site where representatives from 12 colonies gathered in 1774 for the First Continental Congress. 

Credit: photo by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

2.  Society Hill Neighborhood Guide

One block south of Independence Hall, Society Hill is an 18th-century neighborhood of cobblestone paths and busy streets, colonial and modern buildings, history made—and in the making. The compact, mostly residential blocks comprise one of Philadelphia’s most desirable addresses—not unlike in the days when the U.S. was becoming a nation, when residents included Samuel Powel, Philadelphia’s first mayor after independence was declared, future first lady Dolley Todd Madison and Revolutionary War hero Thaddeus Kosciuszko, among other luminaries.

Society Hill’s combination of history, modernity and convenience makes it a must-visit, and its standout restaurants, attractions and shops make it a great spot to spend a quiet day exploring. Fewer than two miles from Philadelphia City Hall, Society Hill stretches between the Delaware River and 7th Street and Walnut and Lombard Streets. Wheelchair-accessible SEPTA bus routes east along Pine and South Streets, and south along 4th and 8th Streets—all stop upon demand at cross streets.

Philadelphia’s Headhouse District

Credit: photo by R. Kennedy for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

Experience "Hamilton Was Here: Rising Up in Revolutionary Philadelphia," Oct. 27 – Mar. 17 At The Museum Of The American Revolution

In Conjunction, a “Year of Hamilton” Programming Will Include Author Talks, Tours, and Family-Friendly Activities

The city of New York gets a lot of attention in the Broadway smash hit Hamilton: An American Musical, but Philadelphia also played a major role in the life and work of Alexander Hamilton.

In Hamilton Was Here: Rising Up in Revolutionary Philadelphia, the Museum of the American Revolution will highlight the surprising connections between our own city and Hamilton’s extraordinary contributions to the nation’s founding. The experience will run from Oct. 27, 2018 – March 17, 2019. It is free with regular museum admission.

The experience is open on weekends from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and weekdays from 1 – 5 p.m. (weekday mornings are reserved for school groups). Bank of America is the presenting sponsor of the exhibit, and The Philadelphia Foundation is the Museum’s community partner. 

Through playful activities, scenic environments, and interactive games, visitors will actively engage in the challenges of founding and maintaining a country as they follow Alexander Hamilton’s story through different locations in Philadelphia and the surrounding region. Each activity seeks to inspire visitors to think about Hamilton’s contributions to the founding of the United States and how they can carry these lessons forward as they face the challenges of citizenship today. Visitors can dress up in reproduction 1790s clothing, load a full-sized replica cannon, and design a coin inspired by early American symbols, among other activities.

Hamilton Was Here features six key sections that highlight different aspects of Hamilton’s political rise in the Philadelphia region, including his roles as an artillery officer in Washington’s army as it tried to defend the city from the British during the Revolutionary War; a political leader who helped create the United States Constitution; an advisor to President Washington when Philadelphia served as the national capital; and the first Secretary of the Treasury who envisioned the financial future of the nation in his Philadelphia office.

“We strive to tell the other side of each story – those that are lesser-known and often surprising. This experience is no exception,” said Dr. Philip Mead, Chief Historian and Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Museum. “Without Philadelphia, Alexander Hamilton might not have been the Alexander Hamilton we know today – his experiences in the city shaped his vision for the nation.”

To continue the experience, the Museum also will launch a “Year of Hamilton” programming, which will include a range of special events and programs dedicated to exploring Hamilton’s life and legacy. For more information, visit www.amrevmuseum.org/year-hamilton.

Over the course of the year, the Museum’s core exhibition will feature nearly 30 Hamilton-related artifacts, including objects on loan from the New-York Historical Society, the Library of Congress, and the Philadelphia History Museum: an 1825 portrait of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton; letters written by Alexander Hamilton at Valley Forge; a 1775 edition of one of Hamilton’s first political pamphlets The Farmer Refuted; and a sword that belonged to Tench Tilghman who also served General Washington as an aide-de-camp. In the Museum’s lobby, visitors can pose with life-size bronze statues depicting Hamilton’s fatal 1804 duel with Aaron Burr.

“As an early corporate supporter of the Museum and presenting sponsor of this exhibit, Bank of America is thrilled to support this important experience that sheds light on Alexander Hamilton’s connections to our city,” said Jim Dever, Philadelphia Market President, Bank of America. “The exhibit brings to life Hamilton’s role in the most significant event in American history, including his contributions to creating our country’s financial system – and we are proud to help make that possible for visitors of our region to enjoy.”

The Philadelphia Foundation is underwriting expenses associated with encouraging student and family access to Hamilton Was Here in the upcoming academic year, including program development and production, materials and supplies, and project evaluation.

“As Hamilton himself knew, cultural access can be the gateway to a lifetime of opportunities,” said Pedro A. Ramos, President and CEO of The Philadelphia Foundation. “We are proud to be the Museum’s partner in producing this special educational exhibit. The programming and materials that highlight Philadelphia’s place in history will benefit and be enjoyed by thousands of schoolchildren and families throughout the region.”

Hamilton Was Here’s Six Key Sections:
(Each section features a nearby location and its role in Hamilton’s story)

1. Hamilton’s Artillery: He Commanded It (Trenton and Princeton)
Do you have what it takes to be like Hamilton and command artillerymen? In 1776 and 1777, Hamilton captained a New York artillery company as part of General Washington’s army.  In this section:

• Explore Hamilton’s military service, including his participation in the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, as Washington’s army defended Philadelphia from the British.  
• Follow the footprints on the floor as you load a full-size replica bronze cannon using tools like a rammer, sponge, and linstock.
• Learn about teamwork as you work with others as part of a cannon crew.
• Touch different types of 18th-century artillery ammunition, including a replica cannonball and grape shot.

2. Hamilton’s First Duel: He Ended It (Port Richmond)
Alexander Hamilton took part in 11 “affairs of honor” during his lifetime. His first experience with dueling was right here in Philadelphia, in what is now the Port Richmond section of the city. Hamilton served as John Laurens’s second and negotiated an end to Laurens’s 1778 duel with Continental Army Major General Charles Lee. In this section:

• Learn about the friendship between Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens.
• Witness the moment, recreated in a life-size mural, of Alexander Hamilton’s negotiation to end the Laurens-Lee duel.
• Consider the consequences of dueling and how to support friends engaged in conflict. 

3. Hamilton’s Constitution: He Argued for It (Independence Hall)
Alexander Hamilton served his country on the battlefield, but in 1782 he began serving his country as a member of Congress and later, in 1787, as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. In this section:

• Play a block game on a large scale to learn the differences between the balance of state and national powers before and after the adoption of the United States Constitution.
• Learn about the costs and benefits of the compromises that created the United States Constitution.
• Explore the tense situation, recreated in a scenic display, of the 1783 mutiny of Pennsylvania troops that threatened Congress and convinced Hamilton of the need for a separate capital city for the new nation.
• Sit in a reproduction of the “Rising Sun” chair to experience the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

4. Hamilton’s President: He Advised Him (The President’s House)
Experience Hamilton’s role in shaping and influencing the presidency, including his advice on how President Washington should manage his time and his public image. In this section:

• Learn about Hamilton’s creation of presidential levees, or weekly opportunities for citizens to meet the president. Critics condemned the levees as too monarchical. 
• Try out the protocol of greeting President Washington, then design your own presidential greeting.
• Wear reproduction clothing from the 1790s and take a selfie with Washington.
• Step inside a recreation of the state dining room of the President’s House (where the levees took place) which was located on Market Street in Philadelphia.
• Hear the stories of the wide range of people who encountered Washington and Hamilton in the President’s House, including diplomats, Native Americans, and enslaved people who served Washington’s family.
• Learn about Martha Washington’s levees and the women in her social circle, including Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton. Sit in a reproduction chair from the President’s House to see if you can imitate the posture and deportment necessary to fit in at Martha Washington’s levees.
• Talk about your political ideas for the new republic just as the men and women who visited the President’s House did in the 1790s.

5. Hamilton’s Economy: He Shaped It (First Bank of the United States)
As the first Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton devised a series of economic plans that laid out how the new nation should manage its debt, create a national bank, establish a mint, and support American manufacturing. Within a replica of the façade of the First Bank of the United States, visitors will learn about Hamilton’s plans for the nation and their consequences. In this section:

• Design a coin using different mottos and emblems inspired by coins from the early republic. Think about what symbols mean and how a nation tries to represent itself.
• Learn about Hamilton’s plans for the Bank, the Mint, and the national debt. Debate his ideas.
• Try to stop a ship from smuggling goods into Philadelphia with a tabletop activity inspired by the game Battleship®. Hamilton established the Revenue Marine cutter service, the precursor to the United States Coast Guard, to prevent smuggling in American ports.  
• Learn about Hamilton’s plan for the country to adopt the dollar and cents system by trading state coins and national coins with your friends.

6. Hamilton’s Army: He Led It (Market St.)
When western Pennsylvania farmers protested a national tax on whiskey in 1794, Hamilton wanted to stop them to show the power of the Federal Government and defend his vision for the Constitution. Here in Philadelphia, Hamilton and Washington made the decision to stop the Whiskey Rebellion with an army of militiamen. In this section:

• Learn about Hamilton’s role in putting down the first American rebellion under the new United States Constitution.
• Analyze a reproduction of a period painting of Hamilton and Washington reviewing the army assembled to stop the protestors and consider the consequences of using the military to enforce the law.
• Debate the legacy of the Whiskey Rebellion and Hamilton’s role in stopping it with an army.  

At the conclusion of the experience, visitors are asked to reflect on how Philadelphia changed Hamilton and vote on Hamilton’s most important accomplishment in Philadelphia.

Each visitor to Hamilton Was Here: Rising Up in Revolutionary Philadelphia will receive a “Flat Hamilton” cut-out – inspired by Flat Stanley – to take home, as well as map of locations in the Philadelphia region where Hamilton made his mark. Visitors are encouraged to follow in Hamilton’s footsteps and snap a picture of Flat Hamilton at the various locations to share on social media with the hashtag #HamiltonWasHere.

About Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution explores the dramatic, surprising story of the American Revolution through its unmatched collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art. Immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and digital touchscreens bring to life the diverse array of people who created a new nation against incredible odds. Visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in the ongoing promise of the American Revolution. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.

Rare 1776 Dunlap Printing Of The Declaration of Independence To Be Displayed In Philadelphia For July 4th, On View Until November.

The Parchment Broadside is the Only One of its Kind Known to Exist

PHILADELPHIA — With July 4 quickly approaching, a truly one-of-a-kind artifact is now on display: one of the first printed versions of the Declaration of Independence, a broadside printed on parchment by Philadelphian John Dunlap in July 1776.

Beginning June 26, this unique printing is now on display at the Museum of the American Revolution, just two blocks from Independence Hall, where the revolutionary document was debated and adopted. It will remain on display until November.

This marks the first time the broadside has ever been displayed outside the walls of American Philosophical Society Library (APS), the institution that has loaned it to the Museum.  

“We are honored to be able to share this extraordinary treasure of the American founding with our visitors this summer,” said Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, Vice President of Collections, Exhibitions and Programming for the Museum. “It is humbling to stand in the presence of such an authentic witness to our nation’s birth.”

The rare document was printed by John Dunlap, an Irish immigrant who also produced the first public versions of the Declaration on the night of July 4, 1776. Of the estimated 200 original broadsides printed by Dunlap, 26 are currently known to exist (one of these also is in the collection of APS).

Unlike these broadsides, which were printed on paper, the document to be displayed at the Museum is made of vellum, or parchment, and features oversized print. It is the only one of its kind known to exist.

“This document has an incredible history to tell.  We are thrilled to share it with the American people this July 4,” said Dr. Patrick Spero, Director of the American Philosophical Society Library.  “According to our records, this is the first time we have ever let this parchment leave our buildings, and we couldn’t think of a better institution than the Museum to be its temporary home for celebration of Independence Day.”

The broadside belonged to David Rittenhouse, the Philadelphia astronomer and vice president of the convention that drafted Pennsylvania’s state constitution in 1776. It descended from Rittenhouse's family to physician James Mease, who donated it to the American Philosophical Society in 1828.

The printing will be displayed in a cylindrical case in the Museum’s Declaration of Independence Gallery. The gallery also explores what the Declaration’s promise of “equality” meant for all people, including women, enslaved people, and laboring men. In an adjacent mini-theater that evokes the inside of Independence Hall, a film explores the tumultuous weeks leading up to the adoption of the Declaration. Through a touchscreen installation, visitors learn about the 88 local declarations of support for independence that preceded the one issued by the Continental Congress.

The display is free with regular Museum admission. The Museum will offer music, costumed interpreters and other festivities throughout July 4th weekend. More information is available here.

Museum Of The American Revolution And National Constitution In Philadelphia Now Offering Discounted Joint Ticket

Museums Bookend the Revolutionary Experience in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — Two premier institutions inspired by world-changing documents, now accessible by one convenient ticket! Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution and National Constitution Center have teamed up to offer visitors a joint ticket that includes admission to both institutions for a discounted price.

Located just blocks apart in Philadelphia’s most historic neighborhood – home to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and more – the two museums tell the story of the American founding, as the early stirrings of rebellion and the Declaration of Independence led to the creation of the United States Constitution, which established a system of government for the new nation.

“As the newest kid on the block, we’re thrilled to team up with a venerable institution like the National Constitution Center to give visitors a full Revolutionary Philadelphia experience,” said Michael Quinn, President and CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution. “These great museums provide visitors with a richer, deeper understanding of the people and places that brought our nation into being as well as the ongoing relevance of this continuing experiment in self-government.”

“The National Constitution Center is excited to collaborate with the Museum of the American Revolution to advance our mission of educating all Americans about the U.S. Constitution,” said Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center. “The ideals that sparked the American Revolution were codified in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and I’m thrilled that visitors to Philadelphia will have an unmatched opportunity to learn about the story of the American founding in our two great centers of learning.”

The joint tickets are now available at www.amrevmuseum.org,  www.constitutioncenter.org, or in person at both museums. The adult joint ticket is $29 (savings of $4.50), youth joint ticket is $19 (savings of $4), and a family pack (2 adults and 2 kids) is $90 (savings of $22).

To help visitors plan their Revolutionary itinerary, the Museum of the American Revolution also recently launched a website, www.AmRevHQ.org, that highlights the numerous historic sites and heritage attractions throughout the Greater Philadelphia region, including battlefields, burial grounds, historic houses, and more. Also included is a list of upcoming special events, activities, or exhibits related to the American Revolution at regional sites.

Historic Sites Commemorate 240th Anniversary Of British Occupation of Philadelphia

The British Are Coming (Back)! 

Museum of the American Revolution

Germantown Festival Featuring Battle of Germantown Reenactments, Oct. 7

Living History Event at Museum of the American Revolution, Oct. 14-15

PHILADELPHIA — You know that Philadelphia was the capital city during the Revolutionary War, but did you know that it was seized by the British in 1777 and occupied for nine long months? And did you know that Independence Hall – where the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776 – was later used as a prison for American officers?

This fall, historic sites in Philadelphia will explore these lesser-known stories of the Revolutionary War in commemoration of the 240th anniversary of the British occupation of Philadelphia, featuring reenactments, family-friendly activities, walking tours, and more.

On Saturday, Oct. 7 from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., the Revolutionary Germantown Festival, sponsored in part by the Museum of the American Revolution, will host a full-day event featuring two reenactments of the Battle of Germantown with more than 400 reenactors on the grounds of the historic estate of Cliveden (6401 Germantown Ave.). This event is Philadelphia’s largest one-day history festival and America’s only reenactment in an urban neighborhood. Admission is free. More information is available at http://www.revolutionarygermantown.org/.

From 4 – 8 p.m., a “Battle Bash”  will be held at at Grumblethorpe (5267 Germantown Ave.) Join the British troops as they celebrate their victory with music, food, beer provided by Evil Genius Beer Company, and family-friendly activities. 

To learn what happened after the Continental Army lost the Battle of Germantown, visitors are encouraged to visit the Museum of the American Revolution the following weekend for Occupied Philadelphia: The British Are Coming (Back)!, a two-day living history event on Saturday and Sunday, October 14-15. Throughout the weekend, the Museum will offer guided walking tours, special programming, and family–friendly activities exploring what life was like in the city while British forces controlled the Revolutionary capital. 

Every 30 minutes from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday, walking tours will step off from the Museum’s outdoor plaza, which will feature several marketplace stalls where historical interpreters will engage with visitors. The 60-minute tours also will stop at  Powel House (244 S. Third St.), a PhilaLandmarks site, and  City Tavern Restaurant’s back garden (138 S. 2nd Street) where visitors will meet soldiers, civilians, and spies as they learn the untold stories about the American Revolution’s darkest days. 

Join the tour and receive a packet of materials that will unlock the experience, including a spy challenge to collect information on the British Army’s location and a loyalty oath that visitors can sign if they decide that they would have remained loyal to the King. Tours are free with Museum admission. There is limited capacity. Visitors can pre-register here to guarantee a spot.

Inside the Museum, guests can try on revolutionary clothing, heft a flintlock musket, and explore the galleries, where costumed educators will highlight the dark days of 1777. A printed gallery guide will highlight artifacts and exhibits related to the British occupation of Philadelphia. In the lobby, guests can cast their vote – was the British presence an occupation or a liberation? – to see where they stand among other visitors.  

“The Museum of the American Revolution is committed to telling ‘the other half’ of the story of the American Revolution, and the British occupation of Philadelphia is certainly an unfamiliar and unexpected story for most visitors,” said Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, Vice President of Collections, Exhibitions and Programming at the Museum of the American Revolution. “We’re thrilled to be able to partner with other great historical sites in our neighborhood to bring these stories to life.”