Commemorate Memorial Day Weekend at the Museum of the American Revolution with “Banners of Liberty,” Theatrical Performances, Special Talks, and More

Free Admission for Veterans, Military, and Blue Star Families All Weekend

Visit the Museum of the American Revolution this Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 24 – Monday, May 26, 2025, to honor the men and women who lost their lives in service to their country during the Revolutionary War, and celebrate the freedoms they fought to secure for future generations. Throughout the weekend, veterans, military, and Blue Star Families will receive free admission, which includes access to the Museum’s current special exhibition, Banners of Liberty: An Exhibition of Original Revolutionary War Flags.

Open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Banners of Liberty features the largest gathering of rare and significant Revolutionary War flags in more than two centuries. Throughout the Museum’s first-floor Patriots Gallery, view more than a dozen original flags that were carried in military campaigns stretching from Northern New England to South Carolina, and celebrate 250 years of the armed forces.

More Memorial Day Weekend Highlights:

Make a Memorial Ribbon | Daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Explore Revolution Place, the Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, now located on the first floor, which brings to life Old City’s lively, diverse neighborhood during the 1700s and invites visitors to learn through hands-on exploration. Kids of all ages can immerse themselves in three historical environments – a military encampment, a tavern, and a parlor – to experience the places where the American Revolution took root. While you're there, make a commemorative ribbon, like the ones Revolutionary War veterans received in 1825.

Meet the Revolution: Emma Cross | Daily

Emma Cross is a public historian and Journeyman Leather Breeches Maker whose research and interpretation focuses on the lives and work of Revolutionary-era women, including military camp followers, tradeswomen, and the remarkable stories of German diarist and camp follower Frederika von Riedesel and printer Clementina Rind. With twenty-nine years of museum interpretation experience, most recently at Colonial Williamsburg, she focuses on sharing history in engaging and informative ways.  An early contributor to the Museum's First Oval Office Project, Emma will join us this summer to interpret the stories of Revolutionary women.

“Meet Joseph Plumb Martin” Performances | Daily at 1:15 p.m. & 3:15 p.m.

Step into the harrowing and exciting world of a teenaged soldier with a first-person theatrical performance portraying Continental Army soldier Joseph Plumb Martin, who was just 16 years old when he left Milford, Conn. and joined the Continental Army to prove he was "as warm a patriot as the best of them.” Martin went on to write Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier, which was published in 1830 and is one of the best-known Revolutionary War memoirs depicting the life of an ordinary soldier. This performance stars Christopher Roché as Joseph Plumb Martin and was written by Ryan Schwartz.

10-Minute Talk: Hugh Mercer’s Sword | Daily at 11:30 a.m.
Enjoy a 10-minute pop-up talk to learn about a sword belonging to General Hugh Mercer, who was killed at the Battle of Princeton. Discover the sword's history from the battlefield to the St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia to its current home at the Museum.

Camp Followers Discovery Cart | Daily from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

During the Revolutionary War, women and children, known as camp followers, travelled with both the Revolutionary and British armies. Meet a Museum educator to view replica objects and learn more about camp followers' lives and the important role that they played.

Indoor and Outdoor Walking Tours | Offered Daily
Explore the Museum and its historic neighborhood with an expert guide! Tours 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. For additional tours and more information, visit AmRevMuseum.org/visit-tour.

Gallery Guide: Remembering Fallen Revolutionaries | Daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Museum tells the stories of many of our nation’s first fallen soldiers and honors those whose names we don’t know. The Museum’s artifacts and exhibits explore these stories, including the sword of fallen Revolutionary General Hugh Mercer and the gravestone of Maryland Captain Michael Cresap, among many others. Pick up a copy during your visit or download this gallery guide online to find these stories and more around the Museum.

Walking tour tickets can be purchased here. All other Memorial Day Weekend programming is included with regular Museum admission. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Special exhibit Banners of Liberty: An Original Exhibition of Revolutionary War Flags is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 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. From Saturday, May 24 – Monday, May 26, 2025, veterans, military, and Blue Star Families will receive free admission (free admission tickets cannot be reserved in advance and are available at the front desk only).

Memorial Day Weekend 2025 at the Museum is sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal.

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.