Celebrate the Black Revolutionaries of the Founding Era and Today This Juneteenth Weekend at the Museum, June 19-21

Sound of History Performances Feature Zeek Burse and Laurin Talese in Jointly Commissioned Project Alongside ArtPhilly and Black Music City, June 19

Daily Programming Includes Special Exhibition, In-Gallery Tours and Talks, Performances, and More to Delve Into Black History From 1776 to Today

Celebrate Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the legal abolition of slavery in the United States, with the Museum of the American Revolution from Friday, June 19 – Sunday, June 21, 2026. In addition to a premiere partnership musical performance, the evening of June 19, visitors throughout the weekend can explore stories of Black history and the struggle for equality from the Revolutionary era and beyond through our special exhibition, gallery tours, pop-up talks, performances, and more.

Special to Juneteenth Weekend 2026 is our Sound of History concert from 6-8:30 p.m. on June 19. In partnership with ArtPhilly and Black Music City, a collaboration between WXPN, WRTI, and RECPhilly, guests are invited to this premiere of compositions by Sound of History artist fellows, Zeek Burse and Laurin Talese, whose projects were inspired by the Museum’s galleries, collections, programming, and conversations with staff.

“To me, 1776 sounds like the stories and narratives of key figures from the time, like Elizabeth Freeman and James Forten,” said Talese when foreshadowing her project. “The Museum of the American Revolution’s collection and exhibits illuminate the legacy and dignity they fought so hard for, and I’m thrilled to excavate that same truth through the medium of sound.”

"My project is rooted in historical writing, from the 18th century into modern times,” said Burse about the inspiration behind his piece. “It’s driven by the force of language, how words can challenge power, awaken people, and reshape a nation, then and now. This work reintroduces those texts in a modern context, asking audiences to reconsider this ongoing experiment we call America."

The event is part of ArtPhilly’s inaugural What Now: 2026 citywide arts festival. More information and tickets available here.

Recognized officially as a state holiday in Pennsylvania in 2019, Juneteenth commemorates the day when news of the abolition of slavery reached the deepest parts of the former Confederacy in Texas in 1865. In our galleries and online, the Museum highlights the stories of Black men and women who impacted the movements for abolition and civil rights. In our current special exhibition, The Declaration’s Journey, view witness objects related to Black leaders through the years, including Lemuel Haynes, Absalom Jones, Richard Allen, James Forten, Frederick Douglass, and Martin Luther King Jr. In our core galleries, learn how 18th-century figures like Elizabeth Freeman, Phillis Wheatley, Harry Washington, and other Revolutionaries helped pave the way for equal rights for all.

More Juneteenth Highlights Include:

Black Voices of the Revolution Gallery Tour | Daily at 12 p.m.

Join a Museum educator for this 60-minute tour of the core exhibit galleries highlighting a diverse set of stories, experiences, and objects related to people of African descent during the American Revolution. Along the way, you’ll see a first edition of Phillis Wheatley’s Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, learn about Elizabeth Freeman’s historic court case, consider what the engraving “No Slavery” on a Continental Army soldier’s musket meant, and discuss William Lee's role on campaign as Washington's enslaved valet. Tours and ticketing options are available here.

“Meet Elizabeth Freeman” Performance | Daily at 1:15 and 3:15

Watch a 30-minute first-person theatrical performance portraying the life and experiences of Elizabeth Freeman, also known as Mumbet, a Massachusetts woman who sued for her freedom from enslavement and won. The performance stars Katelyn E. Appiah-Kubi as Elizabeth Freeman and was written by Teresa Miller.

Meet the Revolution with Joshua Carter | June 19-20

Historical interpreter Joshua Carter will discuss the impact of Dunmore's Proclamation on the lives of enslaved people of African descent. Through storytelling and 18th-century musical instruments and rhythms, Carter will share the methods used by people of African descent in Virginia to communicate their pursuit of freedom to one another and to the world.  

In-Gallery Talk: From Seeking Freedom to Civil Rights | Daily at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Join a Museum educator in our Patriots Gallery to discover the stories of people of African descent from the Revolutionary era through the Civil Rights Movement, as featured in the special exhibition, The Declaration’s Journey.

10-Minute Talk: The Promise of Equality | Daily at 12:30 p.m.

Join a Museum educator in the core galleries to discover more about what ideas of equality for all meant during the Revolutionary War and in the new nation.

Discovery Cart: Black Soldiers of the Revolutionary Era | Daily from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Explore replica handling objects and discover the agency of people of African descent and the various ways they contributed to the Revolutionary War.

Finding Freedom Gallery Guide | Onsite and Online
For people of African descent in Revolutionary-era America, the Revolution offered promise and peril. Some chose the cause of independence and others sided with the British. Many used the ideological and social tumult of the Revolution to pursue freedom and justice. However, most people of African descent would not enjoy the most revolutionary legacies of this period – personal liberty, citizenship, the right to vote, and social equality — for generations. Use our Finding Freedom gallery guide to follow the stories of several people of African descent throughout our galleries.

Tickets are available online at go.amrevmuseum.org. Unless otherwise noted, all Juneteenth programming is included with regular Museum admission. Starting June 13, the Museum will have extended summer hours from 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Declaration’s Journey, presented by Griffin Catalyst, is open daily during regular Museum hours and is included with regular Museum admission. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215.253.6731, at AmRevMuseum.org, or at the front desk. Save $2 per adult ticket by purchasing online. Children ages 5 and under are always free. All tickets are valid for two consecutive days. 

About Zeek Burse

Zeek Burse is a genre-defying artist crafting cinematic soundscapes where emotion, texture, and power collide. A singer, songwriter, producer, and performer, he merges R&B, electronic, and alternative influences into bold, immersive records designed to be felt as much as heard. Most recently, he contributed background vocals on Sam Smith’s single "To Be Free" and appears in the official music video. His global presence spans performances in Paris, Milan, London, and beyond.

About Laurin Talese

Laurin Talese writes jazz compositions that hold still long enough to witness a life. She treats the voice as a documentary instrument, intimate, unhurried, concerned with the stories that change what we think we know about each other. Her theatrical debut as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill at Philadelphia Theatre Company, later reprised at Geva Theatre Center, drew critical acclaim. A Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition winner and US Arts Envoy in the lineage of Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie, Talese serves as Board Chair of Jazz Philadelphia and Board Governor of the Recording Academy’s Philadelphia Chapter.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

About ArtPhilly

ArtPhilly’s purpose is to spotlight Philadelphia as a major arts and culture destination by presenting, producing, and promoting artistically excellent and inclusive arts of all kinds to local audiences and the world. Our What Now: 2026 festival will highlight Philadelphia as a vital center for arts and culture. Our mission is to present the fullest expression of Philadelphia’s creative and multicultural identity, while advancing equity and economic inclusion of the region’s diverse artists and arts organizations through ongoing programming and commissions of new and original work. We believe that our communities and creators are the embodiment of Philadelphia’s revolutionary spirit and we are committed to amplifying their visionary and important work.

About Black Music City

Black Music City is a project that honors Philadelphia’s rich Black music history by inspiring and supporting today’s Black creatives. Black Music City is a collaboration between WXPN-FM, the non-commercial music radio service of the University of Pennsylvania; WRTI-FM, the non-commercial music radio service of Temple University; and REC Philly,  the Philly-based creative agency & arts incubator. Black Music City was honored by The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia 2023 Arts + Business Council Awards, celebrating projects that demonstrate impactful collaborations between the local arts and business sectors. 

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.