The Museum of the American Revolution (formerly The American Revolution Center) is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to engaging the public in the history and enduring legacy of the American Revolution.
Overview
The museum owns a distinguished collection of paintings and sculpture, textiles and weapons, manuscripts and rare books, highlights of which can be seen on its website and in special exhibitions. The museum will be a living memorial to the American Revolution, where it will display its collection.
The President and CEO is Michael C. Quinn and Philadelphia area media entrepreneur and philanthropist H.F. “Gerry†Lenfest serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Development
The museum owns the former Independence National Historical Park visitor center at 3rd and Chestnut streets in the historic area of Philadelphia, where it will build the museum. The site is across the street from the First Bank of the United States and two blocks from Independence Hall, the National Constitution Center, Second Bank of the United States, American Philosophical Society, Carpenters' Hall, and the Liberty Bell.
Design and construction
On June 12, 2012, architect Robert A. M. Stern unveiled designs for the permanent location.
The design plans for the exterior feature a two-story glazed portico, museum shop and café which open to the sidewalk, and a tower sized to house a full-scale replica of the Liberty Bell. The first floor interior is organized around a skylit central interior court and features a cross-vaulted ticketing lobby, a multi-use theater and a changing exhibition gallery. The second floor features 18,000 square feet of galleries and a theater dedicated to the exhibition of George Washington's marquee tent. The museum's third floor is designed to offer rooms for events and two terraces overlooking the First Bank of the United States, Independence National Historical Park, and the Philadelphia skyline beyond. The museum intends to seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification.
As of March 2013, the museum was working to raise the final $15 million required to begin construction. The museum plans to open in 2016.
Recognition
- 2011: Resolution from the U.S. Senate, introduced by Senator Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA). The resolution stated, in part:
Resolved, That the Senate â€"â€" (1) recognizes the contribution of the Center to the preservation of the story of the founding of the United States; and (2) expresses its support for the Center’s efforts to establish an appropriate museum to tell such story to future generations.
- 2012: MUSE Award (Silver level) from the American Alliance of Museums in the category of Mobile Applications, recognizing the museum's American Revolution Interactive Timeline iPad app.
Collection
The museum's collection includes items owned and used by General George Washington during the War of Independence, an extensive collection of historic firearms and edged weapons, important art, important manuscripts, and rare books.
Much of the collection is in storage awaiting display in the Museum of the American Revolution. Some items have been displayed at George Washington's Mount Vernon, Valley Forge National Historical Park, the National Constitution Center, the Winterthur Museum, the Senator John Heinz History Center and the North Carolina Museum of History.
Highlights include:
- George Washington's sleeping and office tent
- Silver camp cups from Washington's field equipment
- Wartime correspondence and books from Washington's library
- The thirteen-star flag known as the Commander-in-Chief's Standard
- The fowling piece carried by Captain David Brown, leader of a company of minutemen from Concord, Massachusetts, and a British military musket carried by a soldier of the 4th (King's Own) Regiment of Foot, both of whom participated in the first battle of the War of Independence, April 19, 1775.
- A Dreadful Scene of Havock, Xavier della Gatta’s painting of the Battle of Paoli
- The Battle of Germantown, by Xavier della Gatta (1782)
- William B. T. Trego’s iconic 1883 painting The March to Valley Forge. (Currently on loan - displayed at the Valley Forge National Historical Park Visitor Center, as of March 2013)
- Soldiers’ letters and orderly books as well as volumes owned by Patrick Henry, George Mason and other founders
- Volume of ancient Roman history by the author and historian Livy, owned by George Mason
- A copy of the first newspaper printing of the Declaration of Independence, printed by the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776
- British plan of the Battle of Brandywine
- Hessian headgear
Selections from the Collection
References
External links
- Museum of the American Revolution Official site
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