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Museum of American Revolution – Stories and Play for Kids

  • July 6, 2022 9:23 pm
Board a ship

Museum visitors explore the personal Revolution stories of the diverse range of individuals who were part of establishing our nation. Here’s some highlights for kids:

Revolution THEATER EXPERIENCES:

Revolution brewing?

Families are swept up in the heart-pounding drama of the Revolution.

  • In a theater that recreates Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, visitors follow  — from their own Windsor chair — as delegates to the Continental Congress passionately debate whether to declare American independence.
  • Another theater puts visitors on the front lines of the Battle of Brandywine, with a rumbling floor, smoke effects, and the smell of gunpowder.

Revolution INTERACTIVE PLAY:

  • Dress up. Kids can mix-and-match pieces of a soldier’s uniform.
  • Play games. Learn about how the common soldiers and their families lived and played to pass the time.
  • Assume George Washington’s role as President by sitting in a reproduction of the “Rising Sun” chair.
  • Be sure to climb aboard a privateer ship like the one on which 14-year-old James Forten volunteered.
  • Don’t forget to pick up a scavenger hunt at the front desk!
Play games
Scavenger Hunt
Dress up

WASHINGTON’S WAR TENT

A dedicated theater houses one of the most iconic surviving artifacts of the Revolution: General Washington’s War Tent, which served as both his office and his sleeping quarters through much of the war. It was within this tent that key decisions were made that changed the course of history. The tent is presented as part of a multi-layered, mixed media presentation, followed by a dramatic reveal.

George Washington’s War Tent

My Take: There are plenty of battle scenes, some with lifelike soldiers, but the heart of the museum appealing to kids are stimulating shows and interactives. I thought it was clever how they recreate common colonial activities in Revolution Place so engaging even adults want to participate. Every space is full of storytelling. My absolute favorite space is Washington’s Tent – truly takes your breath away and think about all the intel and brilliant decisions shared under that tent!

LOCATION 101 South Third Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (Corner of Third and Chestnut Streets) MUSEUM HOURS Daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Museum is closed on Election Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. GENERAL ADMISSION Admission is $13-$21.00. All tickets are valid for two consecutive days. Tickets can be purchased at www.AmRevMuseum.org

The Great Locomotive Chase! Train Play for Kids

  • May 31, 2022 2:06 pm
The General

Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History – Kennesaw, Georgia

The true story behind the old Disney movie, “The Great Locomotive Chase,” is what the Southern Museum is all about. The museum’s star attraction is The General, a steam locomotive nabbed by Yankee raiders in 1862 just 100 yards from where it stands today. The daring band of 22 planned to drive The General north to Chattanooga and destroy Confederate supply lines along the way. Rebels manned a locomotive of their own and chased The General, full throttle, for 100 miles until the raiders were forced to abandon ship. Most were captured.

But the Museum doesn’t end there. Peek into Glover Machine Works: An interactive presentation detailing the train building process, from metallurgy and patterns to casting and construction helps visitors experience life as a factory worker. Kids can etch a pattern on paper and touch wooden molds. Their giant displays of how to build train parts engage kids, too.

Molds and Casting
Rubbing

The Education Center is a highlight! Child play interactives include tapping out Morse Code; driving a simulated train; a giant toy engine; and multiple train tables.

My take: The best part of this Smithsonian Affiliate museum is the layout. The education center is in the middle, at just the right point where kids get antsy. The interactives are easy to understand and it’s roomy. Also, most museums show the introduction video at the beginning, before you tour. The Southern Museum chose to have showings near the end, for impact. After you leave the theater, you pass a “depot” and go under “Tunnel Hill” to have your eyes wide open to the General, larger than life! The gift shop is right after that display and it’s big and wondrous! You will be tempted…

SOUTHERN MUSEUM OF CIVIL WAR AND LOCOMOTIVE HISTORY
Kennesaw – 2829 Cherokee Street NW (I-75 exit 273 west) 30144. Phone: (770) 427-2117. www.southernmuseum.org. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:30am-5:00pm. Closed New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas time. Admission: $10.00 adult, $8.00 senior (65+), $5.00 active military/students w/ID, child (3-17). FREEBIES: ask for scavenger hunt.