Pride Month Observed with New Walking Tour, Special Objects on View Throughout the Month of June

Museum to Showcase 18th-Century Stories of People Who Challenged Gender Norms

The Museum of the American Revolution will feature a new outdoor walking tour, as well as special artifact display and programming, to mark Pride Month this June.

From 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, June 7 and Saturday, June 21, the Museum will hold 60-minute walking tours in our Old City Philadelphia neighborhood exploring the revolutionary story of the self-proclaimed Public Universal Friend, a nonbinary leader of a new religion in the 1770s.

Jemima Wilkinson was born in Rhode Island in 1752 and lived an unremarkable young life until 1776, when she nearly died from a serious illness. After recovering, Wilkinson claimed to be a genderless divine spirit named the Public Universal Friend who had been reincarnated by God to serve as his messenger. The Friend became an evangelist for a new faith, preaching in nearby New England neighborhoods and eventually growing a larger congregation, which led to the formation of The Society of Universal Friends. The Friend continued to preach through New York and New Jersey en route to Philadelphia – hoping the message would do well amongst the city’s Quaker population. However, many remained skeptical, including Elizabeth Drinker, whose diary of life in the Museum’s Revolutionary neighborhood gives a glimpse into a moment of the Friend’s time in Philadelphia.  

This new walking tour covers about a mile and stops at iconic places like Elfreth’s Alley, Carpenters’ Hall, and the site of Drinker's home to discuss how the Revolution in Philadelphia provided people like the Public Universal Friend opportunities to test boundaries and challenge the social norms of a rapidly changing society.

Throughout the month in the Museum’s second-floor Oneida Indian Nation Atrium and Core Exhibition, special object displays will call attention to Baron von Steuben, whom many historians believe might have been gay, and Deborah Sampson, a woman who challenged traditional gender roles of the era by dressing in men’s clothes to enlist and fight in the Revolutionary War using the name Robert Shurtliff. A highlight of the displays will be Philadelphia artist John Y. Wind’s sculpture of Steuben, which explores issues of masculinity, heroism, diversity, and the very notion of commemoration through a 21st century lens.

More Pride Month Highlights Include:

Discovery Cart: The Public Universal Friend | Select weekends

Explore replica handling objects and documents related to the Friend and their time in Philadelphia.

Gallery Talk: Revolutionary Fashion | Weekdays at 1:30 p.m. (excluding June 19)

Explore how clothing was used to make political or personal statements as well as signify – or defy – gender roles in the 18th century, much like today. Led by a Museum educator, this discussion showcases how clothing was used to differentiate military rank as well as civilians and children of different classes, background, and regions. These stories and points are illustrated through the Museum’s many “tableau” displays, which bring history to life through life-cast figures, recreated environments and carefully reproduced clothing of the time.

10-Minute Talk: Revolutionary Roles | June 1,7, and 8 at 11:30 a.m., then daily after June 16

Museum educators will also lead in-gallery discussions of historical figures like Hannah Snell and Sampson, whose stories help incapsulate what is known – as well as what isn’t – regarding gender expression in the 1700s. Snell was a British woman who served in the Royal Marines as James Gray, and Museum guests can learn more about her life and legacy in 10-minute pop-up talks given all month long near the life-sized recreated “sloop” ship in our core galleries. Educators will discuss how both of these stories give us rare glimpses into the lives, choices, and motivations of people who challenged gender roles in the Revolutionary era. 

The Public Universal Friend Walking Tour tickets can be purchased here. All other Pride Month activities are included with regular Museum admission. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Banners of Liberty: An Exhibition of Original Revolutionary War Flag is open from 10 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 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.