Philadelphia’s historical significance in the founding of our country can’t be ignored. The Declaration of Independence was primarily signed in Philadelphia in 1776, and the U.S. Constitution was also written right here in Philly—following just 11 years later.
Teaching your children about the history of American independence has never been more important, or more fun, than it can be today. This weekend, the American Museum of the Revolution (AmRev) is hosting family-oriented activities so fun your children won’t even realize they’re educational.
Teaching your kids about the history of the United States and the American Revolution can seem like a daunting task, but it’s an important one. According to Rebecca Franco, the family programs manager at the museum, it’s especially important because kids need to understand the goals the founding fathers had for this country and realize that they themselves are a part of that.
AmRev teaches about many aspects and viewpoints from the revolution. Interpretive fellows dress up in costume and give the daily perspectives of many different kinds of backgrounds and occupations from the Revolutionary Era.
For the 4th of July weekend, there are some extra special activities taking place at AmRev.
Some highlights for families this weekend include:
- Discussions led by a museum educator on The Promise of Equality will occur daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. These pop-up talks will explore what the “promise of equality” meant for all people; specifically women, native people, and free and enslaved people of African descent.
- Explore a replica sloop and learn about what life was like for sailors and privateers during the Revolutionary War and engage with replica objects! This is available daily at 2:30 p.m.
- Get crafty with a historic “illumination” craft and lesson by creating a transparent window decoration with your kids! Afterward, you can take it home and use it to decorate your own window for July 4th! This craft event will take place in the museum’s Revolution Place Discovery Center, a fun environment complete with scenes and costumes for kids to try on daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests will also be able to create a personalized tile piece to add to the museum’s mosaic project, which will be displayed in the museum upon completion.
- Join a museum educator for an interactive walking tour around revolutionary landmarks in Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday, July 2 and July 3, at 2 p.m. This does require a ticket, which can be found and purchased here: https://tickets.amrevmuseum.org/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?CG=tour&C=httix.
- Come see the museum’s special Liberty exhibit with Don Troiani’s paintings of the Revolutionary War. These paintings tell complex and diverse stories about the people and events involved in American Revolution Era life. This will be accompanied by a pop-up talk about a new painting, “Brave Men as Ever Fought,” which depicts free Black Philadelphian James Forten during a pivotal moment in the war. This exhibit will be available now through September 5, 2022 and daily from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
