Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend at Museum of the American Revolution

Visit the Museum of the American Revolution over Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend, to experience through witness objects and programming the true breadth of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s mark on American history.

The current special exhibition, The Declaration’s Journey, presented by Griffin Catalyst, features several artifacts related to King’s life and legacy, including the hard metal prison bench King sat on in April 1963 while drafting his famous “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” on loan from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, in which he defends his civil disobedience in protest of segregation. King’s letter references Thomas Jefferson and the words of the Declaration directly. The exhibition also features objects and multimedia related to the March on Washington in August of 1963, including an advanced distribution copy of King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, on loan from a private collector, courtesy of Seth Kaller, Inc.

In advance of the weekend’s programming, the museum will host AmRev Presents: The Declaration’s Journey in Concert on Friday, January 16, from 5:30-8:30 pm. The concert, beginning at 6:30 pm. and featuring the jazz/gospel/folk talent of the The Jeremy Winston Chorale International, will showcase 250 years of leadership and music in civil rights movements throughout American history – including Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy – with storytelling, instrumental accompaniment, and choral arrangements by composer and artistic director Dr. Jeremy Winston. Tickets are available here, and include a one-hour reception and special exhibit access.

Other Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend Highlights:

Last chance to view Lemuel Haynes’ “Liberty Further Extended”
Daily
Visitors over this weekend will have a final chance to see Lemuel Haynes’ “Liberty Further Extended: Or Free Thoughts on the Illegality of Slave-Keeping” as part of The Declaration’s Journey before it is taken off view at the end of January. In this anti-slavery essay from 1776, Haynes quoted the Declaration of Independence while also arguing that slavery was not just hypocritical and immoral, but also illegal.

10-Minute Talk: The Power of Words
Daily, 11:30 am and 3:30 pm
Join a museum educator to learn more about the power that words in print, in speeches, and on television have to create change in communities.

10-Minute Talk: Phillis Wheatley and the Ongoing Revolution
Daily
12:30 pm
Join a museum educator as they discuss the life and work of Phillis Wheatley, the first published Black female poet in the Western world, and consider the impact her story has today.

First-Person Performance: Meet Elizabeth Freeman
Daily, 1:15 pm and 3:15 pm
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 Talk: From Seeking Freedom to Civil Rights
Daily, 1:30 pm
Explore the stories of people of African descent featured in The Declaration’s Journey, from the Revolutionary era through the Civil Rights Movement.

Protest in Early America Discovery Cart
Daily
Join a museum educator at this discovery cart that uses images and replica objects to spark conversations. Examine how early Americans used boycotts, printed propaganda, violence, and public demonstrations to advocate for various causes and consider similarities and differences between the 18th century and today.

Revolution Place
Daily
The museum’s family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place, features three recreated historical environments from the Museum’s lively, diverse Old City neighborhood during the 1700s, including a military encampment, a tavern, and an 18th-century home. Don’t miss an activity based on poetry written by African American poet Phillis Wheatley, and color your own We Demand poster, inspired by the signs carried at the 1963 March on Washington.

Talk-Back Wall
Daily
Consider the question “How would you create change in your community?” Stick your answer on the museum’s talk-back wall, read others’ responses, and get inspired.

Black Voices of the Revolution Gallery Tour
Saturday and Sunday at 12 pm
Join a museum educator for this 60-minute tour of the core exhibit galleries highlighting a diverse set of stories, experiences, and objects related to people of African descent during the American Revolution. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

All Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend activities are included with regular museum admission unless otherwise noted.

The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.

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.