Revolutionary Germantown Festival
Saturday, October 7, 2023 | 10am to 4pm
Save the date!
The Revolutionary Germantown Festival returns Saturday, October 7th, 10am to 4pm, rain or shine! Cliveden and the sites of Historic Germantown collaborate to highlight the diverse stories of the people who lived through the American Revolution and the Battle of Germantown, on October 4, 1777. The day promises to be one of exploration with activities such as:
- The story of Washington's surprise attack on the British on October 4th with author Tom McGuire;
- First-person interpreters such as Noah Lewis, Elise D'Avella, and Nastassia Parker, and re-enactors portraying British and Continental soldiers discussing the experiences of people who lived through and fought during the revolution;
- Tours and family-friendly activities at Cliveden and participating sites in Historic Germantown, and
- The Museum of the American Revolution displaying and interpreting a replica of the tent that served as George Washington's mobile headquarters throughout much of the Revolutionary War.
The festival is free and open to all. Come out and explore our neighborhood's history!
Thank you to our sponsors for their support: Asher's Chocolate, Elfant Wissahickon Realtors, Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, Randall and Linda Miller, The Reed Group, William Penn Charter School, and Wissahickon Tree and Landscape, LLC.
2023 Festival Event Schedule
Activities at Cliveden
10am - 11am: Help set up the replica of George Washington's campaign tent
10am - 10:30am: Watch the troops perform a drilling demonstration
10:30am - 11:30am: Listen to the story of George Washington and the General's Dog in the Nest
12pm - 12:15pm: Commemoration for those who died during the Battle of Germantown
12:30pm - 3:30pm: Tour Cliveden and hear from British soldiers about their experience of the Battle of Germantown *Tours are $5 for adults, children free*
1pm - 1:30pm: Hear from Elizabeth Drinker about her family's experience during the British occupation of Philadelphia
1:30pm - 2pm: Explore Freedom on the Horizon with Ona Judge, an enslaved woman who sought her freedom from the Washington household
2:30pm - 3:30pm: Meet Ned Hector, African American teamster
3pm - 3:30pm: Listen to the story of George Washington and the General's Dog in the Nest
3pm - 4pm: Help take down the replica of General Washington's campaign tent
3:45pm - 4pm: Moment of remembrance for the lives lost to gun violence in Philadelphia in 2023
4:30pm - 6:30pm: Finish your day by joining the Friends of Cliveden Park for Paws & Pumpkins, a costumed dog walk and community party
Throughout the day at Cliveden
- Visit the British and Continental soldiers and learn about their experience in the house during the Battle of Germantown - do you want to join their ranks?
- Meet costumed historical interpreters from the Museum of the American Revolution and explore a replica of the tent that served as George Washington's mobile headquarters during the Revolutionary War
- Learn about making and caring for clothes in the 18th century with The Heritage Sewing & Skill Building Group
- Enjoy hands-on activities with the sites of Historic Germantown
- View the Souls Shot Portrait Project and The Turmoil of Transition exhibits in the Carriage House
- Food court located near the Carriage House Visitor Center
Sites to Visit in Historic Germantown
ACES Museum | 5801 Germantown Avenue
The ACES Museum pays tribute to minority veterans of World War II. Visit from 12pm to 4pm.
Awbury Arboretum | 1 Awbury Road
Explore the wooded landscape from dawn til dusk.
Concord School & Upper Burying Ground | 6309 Germantown Avenue
Tour the site and visit the graves of those who died during the Revolution between 12pm - 4pm.
Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion | 200 West Tulpehocken Street
Visit this Victorian-era mansion from 12pm to 3pm.
Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust | 6133 Germantown Avenue
Tour the 1770s meetinghouse and hear how Pacifists responded to the call for war.
Historic Fair Hill | 2901 Germantown Avenue
Visit this 300 year-old Quaker burial ground from 10am to 3pm.
Historic Germantown | 5501 Germantown Avenue
The museum galleries will be open from 12pm to 4pm with exhibits to explore.
Historic RittenhouseTown | 208 Lincoln Drive
The village grounds are open to the public from dawn to dusk.
Johnson House | 6306 Germantown Avenue
Learn about the African American experience during the Revolution and the experience of one local family during the Battle of Germantown. Tours available at 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm.
Lest We Forget Slavery Museum | 5501 Germantown Avenue
Take a tour of the only museum of its kind in Philadelphia that exhibits authentic slavery artifacts.
Stenton | 4601 N. 18th Street
Tour the home of James Logan from 1pm to 4pm. Tours begin on the hour.
Wyck | 6026 Germantown Avenue
The site of a field hospital during the 1777 Battle of Germantown, will be open for tours from 12pm to 4pm and will feature a display focused on 18th and 19th century medicine. Come learn about medical history, take a tour, and stay for a picnic!
Getting Here
Driving Directions
Via PA Turnpike (I-276): Take exit 333 and follow Germantown Pike east for 7 miles to Cliveden Street on the left.
Via Schuylkill Expressway (I-76): Take exit 340 to Lincoln Drive. Turn right onto Johnson Street (third light) then left onto Germantown Avenue (fourth light). Take the first right onto Cliveden Street.
Street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhoods on a first come, first serve basis.
Public Transportation
Germantown is accessible through the following public transportation routes:
SEPTA Bus Routes
- 18 Bus: Fox Chase to Cedarbrook Plaza
- 23 Bus: Center City to Chestnut Hill
- H Bus: Broad-Erie to Cheltenham-Ogontz
- XH Bus: Broad-Erie to Cheltenham-Ogontz
SEPTA Regional Lines
Chestnut Hill East Regional Line: Travels to and from Center City Philadelphia
Chestnut Hill West Regional Line: Travels to and from Center City Philadelphia
Thank you to our sponsors!
