The museum building occupies the site of the former Captain Thomas Moore house, an 18th-century structure.
George Washington’s headquarters tent was acquired by the Reverend W. Herbert Burk in 1909 and remained in private hands for over a century before the museum's creation.
The museum features a full-scale replica of the Liberty Tree, a colonial-era gathering place for political discourse.
A rare 1776 printing of the Declaration of Independence is frequently displayed in the museum’s galleries.
The museum's 'Oneida Nation' exhibit utilizes 4D theater technology to depict the tribe's role as the first allies of the United States.
The collection includes a diverse range of primary sources, including eyewitness accounts from participants on all sides of the conflict.
The building design earned a LEED Gold certification for its focus on sustainable construction and operation.
The Museum of the American Revolution focuses on the political and social legacy of the American Revolutionary War. It houses George Washington's original field headquarters tent, known as the 'tent of the Revolution,' which served as his office and sleeping quarters during the war. The core exhibition follows a chronological narrative beginning with the origins of colonial unrest and concluding with the ongoing challenges of the American experiment. Interactive displays utilize multimedia elements to present diverse perspectives, including those of soldiers, enslaved people, women, and Native Americans. The collection includes over 3,000 artifacts, ranging from weaponry and manuscripts to personal items of the era. Architects designed the building to bridge the gap between Philadelphia's historic Old City and the modern waterfront. The museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate and engages in extensive digital archival efforts. Its architecture incorporates large glass windows to integrate the historic site of the First Bank of the United States into the visitor experience.
The dramatic, sunlit grand staircase in the main lobby.
Start your visit at the museum theater to watch the orientation film, which provides necessary context for the galleries.
Check the museum's digital calendar for rotating special exhibitions that often feature artifacts on loan from other national collections.
Allocate time for the museum's outdoor courtyard, which offers a quiet perspective on the surrounding historic district.
Rushing through the main galleries; the narrative flow is designed to be followed in sequence.
Maintain a quiet volume in the galleries; photography is permitted without flash.
