Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution

Be sure to look up occasionally at the Museum of the American Revolution. There are exhibits over your head, such as this one of a Patriot working to rip down the statue of King George III in New York.

Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution opened in the spring 2017, focusing on the movement and the war that resulted in the United States. Considering that some people didn’t recognize the Declaration of Independence July 4th when National Public Radio tweeted it 140 characters at a time, this museum is needed! I hope those who are unfamiliar with our country’s history will visit it.

My visit started with a 15-minute orientation film called “Revolution,” which brought my patriotic spirit right up to the surface. You’re immediately reminded that the United States began as a result of resistance and defiance of oppressive leadership.

There are other short films throughout the facility, including one about the Indians’ role in the fighting. Called “People of the Standing Stone/The Oneida Nation, the War of Independence and the Making of America,” the film (narrated by Kevin Costner and directed by Ric Burns) tells us about the little-known contributions of Indians, some of whom fought with the Patriots and some of whom chose to fight on the side of the British.

My favorite film was “Washington’s War Tent,” which ends with the raising of a screen so that we see his actual tent. It’s amazingly well-preserved and quite moving to see it. In the film, we learn about its journey from the days of the war to today.

I was happy to see that the museum discussed the irony of the words “all men are created equal,” considering our early treatment of Africans and Indians. Many slaves at the time hoped those words would mean freedom for them, but it was a long time before that freedom would become a reality.

Exhibits include a life-size replica privateer ship, a life-size reproduction of the Boston Liberty Tree, where the revolution was first debated, original and reproduction artifacts, and models depicting scenes from various events. The main galleries cover the rumblings of the American revolution from 1760-1775, the darkest period of the war during 1776-1778, the final years of the war from 1778-1783, and the establishment of the new nation.

The museum is a bit smaller than I expected. Of course, any museum must capsulize such a complex and years-long series of events, so much had to be left out. There was a noticeable absence, for example, of Alexander Hamilton, which was surprising considering the recent interest in his legacy.

Nevertheless, the museum is well done and an important educational tool for students and adults who need a refresher course. It also provides information about some of the players who are usually left out of our textbooks.