With a large percentage of Richland Countians now at home, we thought we’d expand our “In Our Backyard” series with an opportunity to indulge in an interesting tour a bit further afield.
First, though, a question, particularly for you history lovers. What neighboring county is home to the site of the one of the last three open field battles of the American Revolutionary War period?
Here are a couple more clues. The battle involved troops led by a childhood friend of General George Washington, and the hero of the skirmish was the only member of Russian nobility known to have fought in America’s fight for independence.
The Battle of Olentangy took place on June 6, 1782 in the fields of Crawford County between Bucyrus, Crestline, and Galion. Furthermore, the colonial soliders reached that site by going through Richland County. That’s right — this part of Ohio has direct connections to the story of the American Revolution.
The Museum of the American Revolution in Philadephia may be closed to the public because of the coronavirus, but you can explore the Museum and its content from anywhere with free digital resources for all ages including a Virtual Museum Tour, a Virtual Field Trip, a rich archive of Read the Revolution book excerpts, and more.
School closed, but want the kids to keep learning? Check out the Museum’s comprehensive activity plans full of primary sources, high-quality images, and provocative questions. Download the materials here. Print out our free “Color the Collection” coloring book for kids to create their own colorful works of art based on treasures from the Museum’s collection. Download the PDF here.
“In this challenging time, it is imperative that we prioritize the safety of our families and communities. The Museum of the American Revolution is currently closed, but there are many ways to explore our galleries and digital content remotely,” said Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, Museum President and CEO. “While there’s no substitute for experiencing a museum in person and standing in the presence of authentic art and artifacts, virtual exploration is the next best thing.”
Highlights of the Museum’s digital resources include:
Virtual Museum Tour
Experience the Museum’s award-winning, immersive galleries with this Virtual Museum Tour featuring 360-degree, high-resolution images. Using the virtual tour, explore a 360-degree view of the Museum’s nearly two-story replica of America’s first Liberty Tree; mingle among men and women from the Oneida Indian Nation as they discuss whether to support the British or Revolutionaries; navigate aboard a large-scale replica of an 18th-century privateer ship to discover the war at sea, and more.
Virtual Field Trip
Go behind-the-scenes at the Museum with Scholastic’s “Beyond the Battlefield” virtual field trip to the Museum with host Lauren Tarshis, author of the I Survived series of children’s historical fiction novels. Along the way, meet Adrienne Whaley, Senior Manager of K-12 Education, and Matthew Skic, Associate Curator; see real artifacts and documents from the Revolutionary era; learn the stories of two teenagers who actually served during the Revolutionary War; and see the actual tent that George Washington lived in as he traveled with his soldiers.
If you’re interested in diving deeper, a downloadable Beyond the Battlefield Classroom Kit (Grades 2 – 8) contains a Revolutionary War vocabulary list and discussion questions to supplement your virtual field trip.
Read the Revolution Archives
The Museum’s popular bi-weekly Read the Revolution e-newsletter offers a curated collection of excerpts from thought-provoking books about the American Revolution. Check out the archive of Read the Revolution excerpts here. And for archived livestreams of the Museum’s Read the Revolution speaker series, including talks by Dr. Stephen Brumwell, Dr. Vincent Brown, and Dr. T.H. Breen, visit here.
Digital Collection
The Museum has an impressive collection of Revolutionary-era objects, works of art, manuscripts, and printed works. Selected treasures from the collection are now available online, including objects used or owned by General George Washington, a rare canteen marked USTATES, elaborately engraved powder horns, and the first newspaper printing of the Declaration of Independence. Explore the collection here.
For additional reading material, visit our online store for books for all ages as well as apparel, home decor, and unique gifts.
About Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.
