Museum of the American Revolution facts for kids
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Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia
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| Established | 2000 April 19, 2017 |
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| Location | 101 S. Third St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Type | History museum |
| Collection size | 3,000 |
| Public transit access |   SEPTA bus: 21, 42, 57 Philly PHLASH, 2nd Street station |
The Museum of the American Revolution is a special place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It tells the amazing story of the American Revolution, which was when America fought for its freedom. The museum opened its doors on April 19, 2017. This date was chosen because it was the 242nd anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. These were some of the very first battles of the American Revolutionary War, which began on April 19, 1775.
The museum is located right in Philadelphia, a city that was very important during the Revolution. It's close to many famous historical sites like the First Bank of the United States, Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell.
Contents
Discover the American Revolution
The museum has thousands of cool objects. These include old artwork, sculptures, clothes, weapons, and rare books. You can explore permanent exhibits and special shows. There are also theaters and big displays that bring the past to life. They help you understand the people and events of the American Revolution. You'll also see why this history is still important today.
Many people helped make this museum possible. A man named Gerry Lenfest was a big supporter. He helped launch the museum. Dr. R. Scott Stephenson is now the president and CEO. Morris W. Offit is the current chairman.
Building the Museum
The museum building was designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects. The plans for the building were shown in 2012. Construction began in the fall of 2014.
The museum has three floors above the street and a full basement. It covers a large area, with lots of space for exhibits. On the first floor, you'll find a museum shop and a cafe. The main entrance has a tall, skylit area. There's also a theater and a gallery for changing exhibits. The second floor has 18,000 square feet of galleries. It also has a special theater for George Washington's famous tent.
The third floor has rooms for events and two outdoor areas. From these terraces, you can see the First Bank of the United States and Independence National Historical Park. You can also enjoy views of the Philadelphia skyline. The museum was built to be very energy-efficient. It is aiming for a special green building certification called LEED Silver.
Outdoor Plaza
The museum's outdoor plaza opened in September 2016. It's a great spot for both museum visitors and people just walking by. The plaza has cool displays of Revolutionary War items. You can also see bronze sculptures, shaded seating, and seasonal cafe seating.
Explore the Exhibits
When you visit the museum, you'll go on a journey through time. You'll start by learning about the reasons for the conflict in the 1760s. Then you'll see how people started to fight back. You'll learn about the Declaration of independence in 1776 and the final years of the war.
The exhibits show how diverse people were during the Revolution. You can see a replica of an Oneida Indian council house. You can also see a book of poems by Phillis Wheatley. She was America's first published Black female poet.
Some exhibits are very immersive. You can walk through a full-size replica of Boston's Liberty Tree. You can also experience a recreation of an Oneida Indian Council. The Battlefield Theater shows the Battle of Brandywine. There's also a recreation of Independence Hall and a large model of an 18th-century privateer ship. A special theater houses an amazing artifact: General Washington's Headquarters Tent. This tent was his office and sleeping place during much of the war.
The museum works with many expert historians. They make sure the exhibits are accurate and interesting. For example, Dr. R. Scott Stephenson and Dr. Philip C. Mead are key historians at the museum.
In February 2023, the museum opened a new exhibit called "Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia." This exhibit focuses on James Forten. He was a Black Founding Father and an abolitionist. The exhibit tells the story of his family's fight for voting rights and freedom for African Americans.
The Museum's Collection
The Museum of the American Revolution has a collection of thousands of objects. These items help tell the story of the war. The collection includes things owned by General George Washington himself. There are also many old firearms and swords. You can see important artwork, old letters, and rare books. Many of these items came from a collection started by Rev. W. Herbert Burk a long time ago.
Some items from the collection have been shown at other famous places. These include George Washington's Mount Vernon and Valley Forge National Historical Park.
Here are some highlights from the collection:
- George Washington's tent
- Silver cups that Washington used in the field
- Letters and books from Washington's personal library
- The thirteen-star flag that was Washington's Commander-in-Chief's Standard
- A special gun carried by Captain David Brown, a minuteman from Concord, Massachusetts. Also, a British musket carried by a soldier from the 4th (King's Own) Regiment of Foot. Both were used in the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battle of the war.
- A Dreadful Scene of Havock, a painting by Xavier della Gatta about the Battle of Paoli
- The Battle of Germantown, another painting by Xavier della Gatta (1782)
- William B. T. Trego’s famous 1883 painting The March to Valley Forge
- Letters from soldiers and books owned by important figures like Patrick Henry and George Mason
- A copy of the very first newspaper printing of the Declaration of Independence. It was printed by the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776.
- A British map showing the plan for the Battle of Brandywine
- Headgear worn by Hessian soldiers
Selections from the collection
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The March to Valley Forge, William B. T. Trego (1883)
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Continental Currency (1776)
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First newspaper printing of the Declaration of Independence, Pennsylvania Evening Post (1776)
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Plan of the Battle of Brandywine (1777)
Awards and Recognition
The Museum of the American Revolution has won many awards for its amazing exhibits and digital experiences. These awards recognize how well the museum tells the story of the Revolution and connects with visitors.
- In 2012, it won a MUSE Award for its iPad app.
- In 2017, it received a Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award for Washington's War Tent.
- It was nominated for the "Museum Oscars" in 2017 as Best New Cultural Destination of the Year in North America.
- In 2018, it won an Excellence in Exhibition Award for helping people see familiar history in new ways.
- The museum has also won awards for its sustainability efforts and for special exhibits like "Revolution Place discovery center," "Hamilton Was Here," and "Cost of Revolution."
- In 2021 and 2022, it won Webby Awards and Anthem Awards for its online experiences like "Finding Freedom."
- In 2023, it received a PA Museum’s Special Achievement Award for its Liberty special exhibit.
See also
