AmRev Presents: World’s Fair Night, May 8

Evening Public Program Coincides With the 150th Anniversary of the U.S. Centennial Exposition, Semiquincentennial Celebrations in 2026 

How did the American Revolution inspire Philadelphians and set the stage for a world’s fair to remember 100 years later, as well as for Semiquincentennial festivities in 2026? Join the Museum of the American Revolution and guest experts from The Philadelphia Museum of Art and Historical Society of Pennsylvania for an after-hours program celebrating 250 years of city-wide imagination and innovation to preserve landmarks, create art, and build attractions that welcome the world to Philadelphia. 

AmRev Presents: World’s Fair Night will take place on Friday, May 8, 2026, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Museum. This lively after-hours event is timed with the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Centennial Exposition – which opened on May 10, 1876, in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park – and inspired by our current special exhibition, The Declaration’s Journey, presented by Griffin Catalyst.    

A pre-program reception will feature themed food, drinks, and music, as well as select exhibition access. At 6 p.m., historian Dr. Stephen E. Nepa of Pennsylvania State University will provide a toast to the food, culture, and revelry of Revolutionary- and Centennial-era Philadelphia. Guests will be invited to meet partners from local historic sites and archives. representing everything from fairground architecture to food history. This gathering will deepen attendees’ knowledge on Philadelphia’s history of hosting national and global events that, among impacting tourism, traffic, and architecture, have fostered a sense of public curiosity for independence movements around the world. 

Hosted by Museum staff, Philadelphia Museum of Art’s David Barquist and Colin Fanning will join Historical Society of Pennsylvania’s Justina Barrett and Selena Austin for a roundtable conversation illustrating how artists and architects, individuals and institutions, and many others collaborated in both 1776 and 1876 to build the city’s reputation as a revolutionary center worth re-visiting in 2026. 

The evening will conclude with an invitation to view Washington’s War Tent in the Alan B. Miller Theater, a “can’t miss” artifact for generations of visitors since its creation in Philadelphia in 1776, 100 years before its first traveling exhibition to Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial Exposition in Fairmount Park. 

“Just as it was in 1876, Philadelphia is the best place to celebrate our country’s Revolutionary history for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026,” said Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, President and CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution. “All year long, including at World’s Fair Night, the Museum will help the public remember and celebrate our achievements, our advancements, our artistry, and our community here in Philadelphia and across the country.” 

Tickets for this event are $35 for general admission and $30 for Museum Members, and can be purchased here. All tickets include a themed happy hour with light refreshments prior to the program and special exhibition access. This is a 21-and-over event. At 8 p.m., Young Friends members are invited to an exclusive History After Hours social event in Cross Keys Café. Learn more about Young Friends memberships here. 

About Museum of the American Revolution

The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.