Museum of the American Revolution logo | |
Established | 2000 (Planned Opening: 2016) |
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Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Type | History Museum |
Collection size | 3,000 |
President | Michael C. Quinn |
Curator | Dr. R. Scott Stephenson |
Website | www.amrevmuseum.org |
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.[1]
Development
The museum owns the former Independence National Historic Park visitor center at 3rd and Chestnut streets in the historic area of Philadelphia, where it will build the museum.[2] 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. As of March 2013, the museum is working to raise the final $15 million required to begin construction.[3]
Recognition
- 2011: Resolution from the U.S. Senate, introduced by Senator Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA).[4] The resolution stated, in part:
Resolved, That the Senate –– (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.
— 112th Congress , in x, x, S.RES.222
- 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.[5]
Collection
The museum's collection includes items owned and used by General George Washington during the War of Independence, including his sleeping and office tent,[6] silver camp cups from his field equipment,[7] wartime correspondence and books from his library, as well as the thirteen-star flag known as the Commander-in-Chief's Standard.
The museum’s extensive collection of historic firearms and edged weapons includes 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, or King’s Own Regiment, both of whom participated in the first battle of the War of Independence, April 19, 1775.
The collection also includes important art, from Xavier della Gatta’s paintings of the Battle of Paoli and Germantown to William B. T. Trego’s iconic 1883 painting "The March to Valley Forge."[8] Important manuscripts and rare books include soldiers’ letters and orderly books as well as volumes owned by George Washington, Patrick Henry, George Mason and other founders.
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, the National Constitution Center, the Winterthur Museum, the Senator John Heinz History Center and the North Carolina Museum of History.
Selections from the Collection
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The March to Valley Forge. William B. T. Trego (1883)
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First newspaper printing of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
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Continental Currency (1776)
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Plan of the Battle of Brandywine (1777)
References
- ^ "Board of Directors". Museum of the American Revolution. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ Van Allen, Peter (14 Feb 2012). "American Revolution Center in Philadelphia names CEO". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ Dobrin, Peter (26 March 2013). "Lenfest Foundation maps out a path to its end". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ "Senate Passes Casey Resolution Recognizing Philly's American Revolution Center". Robert P. Casey, Jr. - Official U.S. Senate Website. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- ^ Miller, Aaron. "2012 AAM MUSE Awards". Bluecadet. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- ^ Nye, James (31 July 2012). "Washington's tent among stunning artifacts in first ever museum dedicated to American Revolution". Daily Mail. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ "Washington's Camp Cups". Museum of the American Revolution. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ "The March to Valley Forge". Museum of the American Revolution. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
External links
- Museum of the American Revolution Official site