Celebrate Women’s Roles in Aiding the American Revolution, Claiming the Declaration of Independence During Women’s History Month at the Museum

Celebrate Women’s History Month at the Museum of the American Revolution this March to uncover women’s roles in our nation’s founding as well as their ties to the 250-year history and ongoing relevance of the Declaration of Independence.  

Discover lesser-known stories of revolutionary women in both our core galleries and our current special exhibition, The Declaration’s Journey, presented by Griffin Catalyst. Objects on display in The Declaration’s Journey include the first printing of the Declaration of Independence to include the names of the signers by Baltimore printer Mary Katharine Goddard, on loan from Brian and Barbara Hendelson; the writing desk used by suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton in both New Jersey and New York City, on loan from her great-great-granddaughter Coline Jenkins; a first-edition printing of the Declaration of Sentiments, on loan from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and a printing of the Declaration of the Rights of the Women of the United States, on loan from the Princeton University Library. 

Additionally, visit the Museum to learn more about the women who shaped the American Revolution, like Phillis Wheatley, Elizabeth Freeman, Deborah Sampson, Abigail Adams, Martha Washington, Elizabeth Drinker, Tyonajanegen (Two Kettles Together), and many more. Delve deeper by joining The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (NSCDA-PA) and the Museum for AmRev Presents: Women’s History Night on March 18 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. This after-hours event and reception will celebrate revolutionary women – problem-solvers, networkers, and nation-makers – who shaped independence movements at home and abroad, and includes a 30-minute screening of the NSCDA-PA’s national education project, “For the Common Good: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation.” Tickets are available here. 

Women’s History Month Highlights Include: 

Member Morning: Revolutionary Women Highlights Tour | Sunday, March 1, at 9:30 a.m. 

Museum Members are invited to join a Museum educator for a 60-minute gallery highlights tour exploring the roles of Revolutionary-era women on the home front and on campaign during the Revolutionary War. Along the way, learn what the stories of Revolutionary women like the Baroness von Riedesel, Tyonajanegen (Two Kettles Together), and Elizabeth Freeman reveal about how different people experienced and remembered the Revolution. Members can register here. Learn about becoming a Museum Member on our website. 

AmRev Presents: Women’s History Night | Wednesday, March 18, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. 

Presented by the Museum of the American Revolution with The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (NSCDA-PA), enjoy a screening of the NSCDA-PA’s national education project, “For the Common Good: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation.” This Museum public program (21+) starts at 5:30 p.m. with a themed reception and after-hours access to The Declaration’s Journey. The screening will begin at 6:15 p.m. and will be followed by a lively conversation featuring historian Dr. Karin Wulf, author of Lineage: Genealogy and the Politics of Connection in Early America;  project producer, writer, and documentarian Nathaniel Popkin; and moderated by Museum Director of Education and Community Engagement Adrienne G. Whaley. Tickets are available here. 

10-Minute Talk: Women Claim the Declaration | Daily at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. 

How did women claim ownership of the ideals of the Declaration? From objects like its first printing naming the signers by Mary Katherine Goddard to its adaptation reinforcing women's suffrage by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, explore with a Museum educator the journey to "all men and women are created equal" as told in The Declaration’s Journey. 

10-Minute Talk: “Saucy” Ladies | Weekends at 12:30 p.m. 

Join a Museum educator to learn more about two women from Massachusetts and how they advocated for their rights in the Revolutionary era.   

Discovery Cart: Ona Judge | Weekends from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Join a Museum educator to explore the story of Ona Judge, a woman who was enslaved in George and Martha Washington’s household in Philadelphia and later escaped, with replica artifacts. 

“Meet Elizabeth Freeman” Performances | March 14, 21, and 28 at 1:15 and 3:15 p.m. 

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. 

Gallery Guide: Celebrating Revolutionary Women | Onsite Daily and Online, Any Time 

Pick up or download a gallery guide to lead you through the personal stories of the diverse women of the Revolutionary era featured in the Museum's galleries. Learn about remarkable women such as Phillis Wheatley, Baroness Frederika von Riedesel, Tyonajanegen (Two Kettles Together), and more.  

All Women’s History Month activities and The Declaration’s Journey are included with regular Museum admission. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets to the Museum can be purchased by calling 215.253.6731, at AmRevMuseum.org, or at the front desk. Save $2 per adult ticket by purchasing online. Kids ages 5 and under are always free. All tickets are valid for two consecutive days. 

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.