Make a privateer ship craft and enjoy other family-friendly activities in celebration of James Forten’s Sept. 2 birthday
ABOVE PHOTO: A map in Black Founders. (Photo Credit: MoAR)
PHILADELPHIA — Bring the whole family to the Museum of the American Revolution during Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2 – Sept. 4, for pop-up talks, discovery carts, crafts, and other family-friendly activities in celebration of the September 2 birthday of James Forten, who is featured in the special exhibition “Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia.” Throughout the holiday weekend, kids 12 years old and younger will receive free Museum admission (available at the Museum’s front desk, not online.)
In “Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia,” visitors of all ages will discover the life and legacy of free Black Philadelphian, Revolutionary War privateer, and successful business owner James Forten and his family as they navigated the American Revolution and became leaders in the abolition and women’s suffrage movements. In the Museum’s Revolution Place discovery center, kids can decorate a ship craft to take home inspired by James Forten’s privateering adventures.
Labor Day Weekend highlights:
“Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia” | Daily from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(Included with regular Museum admission)
In Black Founders, join a Museum educator at the “Brave Men as Ever Fought” painting by artist Don Troiani to learn more about the Black and Native American troops of the Rhode Island Regiment marching past the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) en route to Yorktown on September 2, 1781, a scene that was witnessed by James Forten on his 15th birthday. “Black Founders” is on view through Nov. 26, 2023, and is included with regular Museum admission.
“Meet James Forten” Performance | Saturday at 1:15 p.m. & 3:15 p.m.
Watch a first-person theatrical performance about a teenaged James Forten’s experiences coming of age in Philadelphia and serving as a privateer during the Revolutionary War. The performance stars Nathan Alford Tate and was written by Marissa Kennedy.
Revolution Place | Open Daily from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
(Included with regular Museum admission)
The Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place, will be open daily to explore the Museum’s lively, diverse Old City neighborhood during the 1700s through hands-on exploration in four key recreated historical environments, including a military encampment, a tavern, a home, and an 18th-century meeting house. Plus, don’t miss the chance to decorate your own paper sloop inspired by the privateering adventures of James Forten as explored in our “Black Founders” exhibit.
Craft: Make-Your-Own Rhode Island Regiment Cap | Daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(Included with regular Museum admission)
In the Museum’s Rotunda, design a cap to take home like those worn by the Black and Native American troops of the Rhode Island Regiment who marched through Philadelphia on their way to Yorktown on September 2, 1781.
Discovery Cart: Black Soldiers of the Revolution | Daily from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
(Included with regular Museum admission)
Join a Museum educator to view and handle replica objects to learn more about the service of Black soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Plus, learn more about the Museum’s Patriots of Color archive featuring nearly 200 documents bearing the names of Black and Native American soldiers who served in the Continental Army.
On Display: True Colours Flag Project | Daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(Included with regular Museum admission)
The Museum’s True Colours Flag Project, a hand-sewn, replica “suit of colours,” will be on display in the Rotunda for one final summer weekend. Learn more about the process of recreating — and the history behind — these huge flags flown by 18th-century ships at sea during the Revolutionary War. Sponsorship for the project was provided by The Color Guard of the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution.
Guided gallery tours and neighborhood walking tours | options vary daily
(Additional ticketing required)
Explore the Museum and its historic neighborhood with an expert guide! Tour options include 90-minute outdoor walking tours that explore iconic sites in the Museum’s historic Old City neighborhood, hour-long tours of our core galleries, hour-long early-access guided tours for a private experience, and audio tours. Tickets for guided gallery tours and outdoor walking tours can be purchased here or at the front desk.
Tickets for gallery tours and outdoor walking tours can be purchased online or at the front desk. All other Labor Day Weekend activities are included with regular Museum admission. Kids 12 and under receive free admission throughout Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2 – 4 at the Museum’s front desk (not available online). The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Black Founders is open from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is included with regular Museum admission. Tickets to the Museum can be purchased by calling: (215) 253-6731, at: www.AmRevMuseum.org, or at the front desk. Save $3 per adult ticket by purchasing online. All tickets are valid for two consecutive days.
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