Philadelphia Histories Month: A Month-Long Celebration of History Debuts This April

Through Saturday, April 25, 2026 (dates vary by event)

Step back in time 250 years or so and learn all about life in Colonial Philadelphia at these events at the Museum of the American Revolution:

• Spring Break: The Museum of the American Revolution kicks off its Philadelphia Histories Month celebrations early with its annual spring break series, keeping students of history busy with all-ages gallery pop-up talks, first-person theatrical performances, appearances from living history interpreters, DIY crafts and other family-friendly activities — all included with your museum ticket (March 28 through April 12, 2026).
• Read the Revolution Speaker Series With Ned Blackhawk: Curious minds can look forward to a special presentation and discussion with Yale University scholar and author Dr. Ned Blackhawk, inspired by his book The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History (Thursday, April 16, 2026).
• Makers of Revolutionary Philadelphia Living History Day 2026: You’re likely very well-acquainted with the Founding Fathers who kicked off America’s campaign for independence. Now, meet the makers who made the Revolution possible. Over a dozen historical tradespeople, including a pepper-pot soup seller, a woodworker and an engraver, set up shop at the museum to show off their skills and give you a peek into Colonial life (Saturday, April 25, 2026).

Through Sunday, April 26, 2026 (select days)

With separate locations in Philadelphia and Montgomery counties, the combined 265-acre arboretum and historic garden cemetery at Laurel Hill remains the final resting place of numerous notable Philadelphians.

For Histories Month, Laurel Hill offers a slate of public programs with history and horticulture themes, including: Liberty or Death: Revolutionary War Patriots, a walking tour on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at Laurel Hill East highlighting the stories of war heroes; and Unsinkable to Unthinkable: Titanic Passengers Tour, a tour on Sunday, April 12, 2026 that spans both the East Falls and Bala Cynwyd sites.

Through Monday, January 3, 2028

We all know how the American Revolutionary War ended. Now, a brand-new exhibition — timed to coincide with the year-long Semiquincentennial celebration — at the Independence Seaport Museum explores how our new nation built its economy back up in the aftermath.

Featuring roughly 150 rarely seen objects and artifacts, Seeking Profit and Power: Philadelphia, China Trade and the Making of America examines how the dream of America survived (and thrived) through new economic relationships and international trade alliances — and how China helped build America into the global superpower it is today.

April 10-28, 2026 (dates vary by event)

An architectural wonder and killer repository of design history, the Athenaeum of Philadelphia hosts a handful of art-meets-history events this month in honor of Philadelphia Histories Month.

Kick things off with the founder of Lyric Fest — a creative concert series blending music, history and humor — Suzanne DuPlantis and vocalist/composer Benjamin Wenzelberg for a pay-what-you-wish conversation about their latest work, a musical retrospective of Ben Franklin’s life. Bonus: A separate ticket is required for the performance, but you can snag one at a discount with promo code ATHENAEUM (Friday, April 10, 2026).

Later, get a crash course on the Declaration of Independence in a virtual course (April 27 through May 18, 2026). Or grab a glass of wine and learn how artists helped fuel the Revolutionary War from art historian Zara Anishanslin. Tickets are pay-what-you-wish with a $20 suggested price (Tuesday, April 28, 2026).

Step into the office of the skilled shipwrights at Independence Seaport Museum — aka the Boat Shop — for a look back at the history of the Delaware River waterfront and a peek behind the scenes of their current project: a full-scale, 40-foot replica of the type of vessel George Washington and his Continental Army used to cross the Delaware in 1776.

The Table Saw Talk is included with museum admission and as part of the Submarine package, but guests are encouraged to support the shop’s work with a pay-what-they-wish donation.

April 12 & 25, 2026

Tucked away in South Philly’s FDR Park, the American Swedish Historical Museum is a treasure trove of exhibitions and artifacts that pay homage to Swedish American culture, traditions and contributions. This Philly Histories Month, you can see it all for free.99, with special one-hour guided tours (Sunday, April 12, 2026).

Later in the month, explore the great artistic, culinary and tech minds behind innovations ranging from meatballs to Minecraft in the new exhibition, From Taste to Tech: 100 Years of Nordic Innovation & Impact (opening Sunday, April 26, 2026). Bonus: You can celebrate its grand opening with interactive activities, Nordic tasting stations, live music and photo ops during a special preview event (Saturday, April 25, 2026, ticket required).

Archival research can often enhance artistic creations rooted in reality, but many archives tend to be more accustomed to supporting academic research. Artists Santé Johnson, Brent White and Lauren Putty join together to discuss how archives like the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) can better serve the creative community in their pursuit of historic records to enhance their creative practices.

The artists discuss their recent projects centered around the life and music of African American composer Francis Johnson. Tickets to the talk also include admission to HSP’s current exhibit, Changing Faces of Independence.

April 15-22, 2026 (dates vary by event)

When wealthy Philadelphia banker and merchant Stephen Girard died in 1831, he left a huge sum of money in his will to create a school for poor orphans — a school known today as Girard College.

The school’s Founder’s Hall Museum marks the Philadelphia Histories Month with a slate of guided tours highlighting the historic campus and the many stories hidden behind its walls (Wednesday, April 15, 2026), its rich architectural grandeur (Saturday, April 18, 2026) and post-Revolution Colonial life (Wednesday, April 22, 2026).

History tells us that Stenton — an 18th-century historic home-turned-museum — has one person to thank for its modern-day existence. Her name is Dinah.

Once enslaved by the Logan family, Dinah stayed on as a paid housekeeper after earning her freedom. When two British soldiers set the house ablaze, Dinah’s quick thinking saved the site from ruin.

The Germantown museum celebrates her courage with a free afternoon of history, reflection and community healing. On the docket: tours, crafts, quiet time around the Dinah Memorial and the premiere of a short film inspired by her story.

The African American Museum in Philadelphia passes the paintbrush to Philly’s smallest artists for this juried art competition. The subjects? The heroes in their everyday lives.

The medium is up to them — clay, paint, Legos, charcoal or crayons — but what’s important is that the art piece embodies “the spirit of everyday freedom fighters,” whether that be a guardian, a teacher, a friend or a community member. The showcase is free to attend and open to the public, and cash prizes are awarded to the best masterpieces.

Treat yourself to a serene Saturday along the Delaware River at Andalusia. Pack a picnic, stroll along the riverbanks and wander through the budding blooms of the walled pleasure garden.

Or go on a historical excursion with a guided tour of the historic house. The Greek Revival mansion — once home to the Biddle family — is a time capsule full of 17th-century art and artifacts. Tickets are required for admission and tours.

As the birthplace of America, it’s no surprise that our historic city boasts 67 sites designated as National Historic Landmarks. Each April 18 marks a world-wide day of celebration for these iconic monuments and sites across the globe.

The Global Philadelphia Association leads the local event, with programming that showcases the histories at the following featured sites: Athenaeum of Philadelphia, Arch Street Meeting House, Church of the Advocate, Eastern State Penitentiary, Founder’s Hall at Girard College, Historic RittenhouseTown, Independence Seaport Museum, Laurel Hill, Reading Terminal Market, Stenton, The Hill-Physick House and The Tanner House.

April 8 – May 13, 2026 (dates vary by event)

Philly’s waterfront enclave of East Falls — formerly known as the Falls of Schuylkill — dives deep into some history of its own with a free three-part series highlighting life along the iconic waterway through archival photos and conversation.

Get a snapshot of East Falls’ earliest history during a talk at Memorial Church of the Good Shepard (Wednesday, April 8, 2026), before zooming in on the community after the advent of inns, hotels, steamboats and the landmark Falls Bridge with a Zoom presentation (Wednesday, April 22, 2026).

The series wraps up by highlighting the blue-collar men-turned-international rowing champions and the neighborhood’s social venues during a conversation at Castle Ringstetten, the clubhouse of the Undine Barge Rowing Club (Wednesday, May 13, 2026).

It’s been a long journey for this Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw Na̱ʼwiti House Post, but now the stunning example of First Nations art and history is finally returning home.

Before the Association of Public Art — the stewards of the intricately carved wooden artwork for the last 45-plus years — returns the house post to its native British Columbia, the sculpture makes one final Philadelphia appearance as part of this free exhibition, highlighting its story and cultural significance within the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw community.

Be among the first to bid the sculpture adieu at the opening reception on Friday, April 24, 2026.

Reach for the moon, and you’ll land among the stars — literally at The Franklin Institute’s International Astronomy Day celebration.

Astronauts-in-training can step into a space suit or take an up-close (and 100% safe!) look at the sun with the help of special telescopes and custom solar-viewing tents, before capping the day off with an explosive trash can rocket launch.

The museum’s space-themed exhibits — the Wondrous Space exhibit, the Fels Planetarium, and the Holt & Miller Observatory — are also open for exhibition, and all the star-studded activities are included with museum admission.

Arch Street Meeting House — the national landmark, Old City museum and over 300-year-old Quaker place of worship — gets a major interpretative upgrade just in time for the nation’s Semiquincentennial.

Its new exhibition, The History of Quakerism: A Religious Revolution, maps the history of the Religious Society of Friends from its origins in 17th-century England to today. Immersive displays and rare artifacts highlight the Quakers’ evolution from spiritual radicals of the past to modern-day leaders who have continued to carry the torch for equality, peace and positive social change every step along the way.