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Museum of the American Revolution
Philadelphia was one of the crucial hubs of the American Revolution, which makes Philadelphia’s Historic District the perfect place for an all-encompassing museum.
The Museum of the American Revolution is an essential repository of artifacts and an absolute treat for American history buffs.
Encompassing 118,000 square feet, the space holds an expansive collection of art, manuscripts and printed works from the nation’s Revolutionary Period.
It also displays a range of objects gathered from and pertaining to the Revolutionary War, including British, French and American weapons used in battle and personal diaries written in camp.
The exhibitions housed in the Museum of the American Revolution offer an inclusive picture of the American Revolution that is often overlooked by other institutions.
Explore stories of enslaved and free Africans, Native Americans and women — in addition to the Founding Fathers and Revolutionary War soldiers — through immersive displays and fascinating artifacts that create a modern storytelling experience.
Visitors will find that the galleries within the museum are organized chronologically to take you on a journey from the beginning of the conflict in the 1760s through the creation of our nation.
The exhibition space also dives into the challenges of creating a new nation and the Revolutions’ enduring impact on those around the globe.
One of the most memorable pieces in the museum is General Washington’s Headquarters Tent, an iconic piece of history where President George Washington slept and made world-changing decisions. The tent is part of a multimedia presentation about Washington.
Other key elements include a two-story replica of the Liberty Tree, which shaded colonists as they discussed a revolt against the British, a large-scale replica of an 18th-century ship that visitors can climb aboard and an immersive discussion between members of the Oneida Indian Nation.
Nearly 500 artifacts and thousands of other objects are on display alongside more than 20 life-like figures.
Among historic art and artifacts, the museum's recreation of the Liberty Tree stands tall. — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
There are 31 different audiovisual experiences (!), which include theaters, major interactive screens and soundscapes.
The Battlefield Theater puts museum guests on the front lines of the Continental Army during a British attack.
Ten theaters throughout the museum help tell the story of the Revolution. The first theater, the orientation theater, sets the stage for the history of the Revolution with information about the Revolution’s causes, important moments and its legacy today.
Another thrilling theatrical moment comes at the Battlefield Theater, where museum guests are put on the front lines of the Continental Army during a British attack.
Throughout the show, gunshots erupt, the floor shakes, strobe lights flash and smoke fills the room.
In the heart of Philadelphia’s Historic District, the Museum of the American Revolution explores the war that transformed a set of colonies into an independent nation. — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
Tickets to the museum can be purchased online. Group tickets and memberships are also available. Click the button below to buy tickets.
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The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.