Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia

While on business in Philadelphia, I was excited to spend some time at the Museum of the American Revolution. I’d walked the Freedom Trail in Boston and stood on the bridge in Massachusetts where the famed “Shot Heard Round the World” was, well… heard. So learning about the American Revolution as a whole was intriguing.

During my visit, I learned about the events leading up to the Revolutionary War – and it wasn’t just the taxes on tea. There were several interactive exhibits, inspirational quotes and short films that provided great insights. I wish my kids could’ve been with me, but I’ve definitely flagged the museum for a future family vacation.

Enjoy a free virtual tour of the Museum of the American Revolution.

Here’s a rundown of what you can expect at the museum as you plan your visit to Philadelphia.

Where to Start Your Visit: Theater and Special Exhibit

Check in at the main desk in the rotunda to purchase your tickets. If you would like to add an audio guide, you can. While the audio guide tells you more historical details, you can read similar details on the exhibit walls, too. So would you rather read, or listen?

As you enter the museum, check in at the Lenfest Myer Theater for a short introductory video. It puts you in the right mindset for your visit to the museum.

Next, explore the special exhibit area on the same floor as the theater. During my visit, I explored the “Cost of the Revolution”. A new exhibit will open in August 2020: When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story, 1776 – 1807.

After walking through the special exhibit area, head up the grand stairway to enter the main exhibit area.

Main Gallery Exhibits on the Second Floor

When you arrive at the top of the stairs, you’ll notice several doors leading to various exhibits. You’ll want to start in the correct door so you can work chronologically through the history of the revolution. Keep an eye out for the Enter Here sign.

There are four sections along the path, and I’ve outlined a little about each one below to help you know what to expect.

The Road to Independence

While I knew the Revolutionary War involved the famous line, “Not taxation without representation,” I didn’t know the events that lead up to the heavier taxes on the American colonists. As I started making my way through the first two rooms, I learned about the events that led to higher taxes.

Numerous touch screens in the room featuring Boston’s Liberty Tree allow you to interact with and learn information about the time. As you enter the next room, you’re taken to a place I’d visited in person a couple years ago – Minute Man National Historical Park and the bridge where the first exchange of gunfire took place. It’s the fight referred to as “The Shot Heart Round the World.”

This section of the museum takes you through the formation of an American army and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. There’s even a short film you can sit down and enjoy before you move to the next portion of the museum.

The Darkest Hour

After declaring independence from England, times didn’t get easier. Learn about what happened in New York City, Trenton and Princeton following that bold declaration. See how the Native Americans were involved in the war and what challenges they faced in deciding which side to support.

Times were tough for the American army. Step into a small theater to experience the Battle of Brandywine. After that, you’ll enter the winter of 1776-1777 and the role of Valley Forge in the Revolutionary War.

A Revolutionary War

The large exhibit in the next room was a little surprising – I didn’t expect to step aboard a privateer ship, or smell a rope. The setting is perfect for learning about the war at sea.

The battles continue in the south and up to Yorktown, all leading to eventual independence for the American colonists. But now the real struggle came – forming a new nation.

A New Nation

Now that American colonists have their freedom, the work of forming a new nation begins. Learn about the writing of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and how the nation became a country governed by the the people and for the people.

I was excited to see a wall about General George Washington’s inauguration as America’s first president. It took place at Federal Hall in New York City, and I had visited that location, too.

Finish up your visit with a short film about the ongoing revolution. And as you walk out of the main exhibit, you’ll notice a few mirrors on the wall with the words “Meet the Future of the American Revolution.” Like it says, it’s up to us to defend our nation and the purposes of the American Revolution.

Details

Address: 101 South Third Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Parking: There is no parking facility at the Museum of the American Revolution. You may find street parking available nearby, or you can park underground at Independence Hall and make the short walk to the museum.

Cost: Adult admissions are $21, with youth (ages 6-17) at $13. Seniors (ages 65+), active duty military, students and teachers are $18.

Hours: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., unless noted differently on their website.

Website: https://www.amrevmuseum.org/

Phone: (877) 740-1776

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