PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — In observance of Black History Month and Presidents’ Day, the Museum of the American Revolution is hosting a special exhibition with the “crown jewel” of the museum’s collection at its center.
"Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington’s Tent" follows the travels of Gen. George Washington’s actual war tent and the people who supported the man who would later become the first president of the United States.
“The work of many hands have been involved in the care of George Washington’s tent and that includes people of African descent. These are really surprising stories, and you might not expect that, but these are important parts of the story,” said Matthew Skic with the museum.
This special exhibit will expand on stories of the people of African descent who played critical roles in the tent's journey, including William Lee, Hannah Archer Till and Selina Gray.
Skic explains it was important to show the full picture by telling the stories of little-known but integral players in the Revolutionary War.
“Although the exhibit focuses on George Washington, it’s the many diverse people involved in the use, care and preservation of the tent over the past 250 years,” Skic said.
“The story of William Lee, who accompanies Washington during the Revolutionary War. And someone like Selina Gray at Arlington House in Virginia — she was involved in preserving and saving the tent during the Civil War.”
These, he says, are stories that must be told, stories that help to create a full picture of America’s history.
“Sharing the diversity and complexity of the American Revolution and the survival of Washington’s tent is a symbol of the survival of the American experiment, liberty, equality and self-government.”
Also on display: more than 100 historic artifacts from across the country, brought together to explore the surprising journey of Washington’s war tent.
“Witness to Revolution” will be on view at the Museum of American Revolution from Feb. 17, 2024, through Jan. 5, 2025.