The Museum of the American Revolution, located in the historic Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia, exposes its visitors not only to the history of the Revolutionary War, but the lives and thoughts of those who experienced the war and its aftermath. Walking through the extensive collection, one feels as if they have been transported to a different era in which the course of American history had not yet been determined, and the American consciousness was just beginning to develop. In the words of Tyler Putman, Senior Director of Gallery Interpretation, the museum is “an experience that teaches empathy” and encourages the viewer to view historical figures as “real people.”

The galleries are organized roughly chronologically, although the structure is also guided by a progression of themes and lessons. It begins with a look at the historical context of colonial America, analyzing the perspectives of various groups of citizens. Through various artifacts, such as a set of water jugs emblazoned with the initials of King George, the museum shows that many residents of the colonies in the 1760s still saw themselves as proud subjects of Britain. However, this changed rapidly with the introduction of taxes such as the Stamp Act, which Americans saw as unfair.

The next room of the gallery contains a replica of the famous Liberty Tree, formerly located in Annapolis, which was a meeting place for those who took issue with Britain’s policies toward the colonies. The tree soon became a symbol of a newly formed concept of “American Liberties,” and its image was depicted on coins, maps, and other objects.

After this is displayed a replica of Benjamin Franklin’s famous “Unite or Die” image, known as America’s first political cartoon. Franklin created the image in 1754, but it resurfaced in 1774 as a revolutionary symbol following the First Continental Congress’ call for Americans to prepare for war. Shortly following this, in 1775, the war began with the legendary “Shot Heard Round the World” at the Battles of Lexington and Concord. On display is an actual musket used by the British 4th Regiment in the Battle of Concord.

The museum also contains numerous life-sized dioramas representing crucial moments in the Revolution. One of these shows a fight between a group of soldiers of the newly-formed Continental Army, with the brawlers being broken up by none other than George Washington. Washington was known for his closeness with the troops he commanded, who had great respect and admiration for their general.

Moving forward, one will see an interactive display which shows a timeline of the towns that declared their own independence from Britain; by the time the Declaration of Independence was issued on July 4th, 1776, over 30 towns had already voted to separate from Britain. Also displayed is a genuine copy of the Declaration, printed in Boston in July 1776.

A replica of the statue of King George III stands high atop a display case in the following exhibit; the original statue was pulled down and destroyed in New York on July 9, 1776, by a group of soldiers. The statue was then melted down and molded into musket balls for the war effort; one such musket ball, which was scientifically proven to have been made from the statue, is displayed under the replica.

Much focus in the gallery is placed on the experiences of African-American and Native American groups during the Revolution. There were many Black soldiers who fought in the war; the majority of them were enslaved, and hoped to gain their freedom by fighting the British. Others joined the war on the British side, hoping that the King would abolish slavery in the colonies following the war. In various Native American tribes, there was much deliberation on whether or not to join the war; some groups did so, while others remained neutral. A diorama shows several members of the Oneida Nation, who originated in New York, engaged in a debate over which side they should support. in 1777, the Oneida would join the American forces.

One of the museum’s most impressive exhibits is a life-sized replica of a privateer sloop, a type of ship which was commonly used in naval battles. Visitors are encouraged to step onboard the ship and imagine themselves as privateers, engaging in life-threatening battles for monetary compensation. Throughout the day, tour guides give presentations detailing what life was like onboard these ships.

The end of the gallery focuses on the final days of the war, the writing and ratification of the Constitution, and the formation of a coherent American identity in the years following the Revolution. A collection of paintings shows women who were early advocates for universal suffrage, as well as African-Americans who fought for the abolition of slavery in order to fully realize the statement that “all men are created equal.”

The museum offers many accessibility features for those with disabilities, such as audio guides, sign language interpreters, and full wheelchair accessibility. Discounted tickets are available for veterans and active-duty personnel. Workshops are frequently offered in collaboration with Warrior Writers, an organization that hosts art and writing programs for veterans. In 2020, a group of veterans were invited to speak on a panel which connected the trauma experienced by living veterans with that of the soldiers of the Revolution.

The Museum of the American Revolution is a fantastic contribution to the historical study of the Revolutionary War, and is sure to educate and entertain those who are interested in exploring the early chapters of our country’s history. Of all the historical attractions in Philadelphia’s Old City, this one is surely worth a visit.