New Museum of the American Revolution site prep kicks off tomorrow
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
The facility will eventually feature exhibitions with unique artifacts from the birth of a republic.
A rendering of the Museum of the American Revolution
amrevmuseum.org
amrevmuseum.org
Amateur history buffs and elementary school teachers rejoice: Wednesday marks the first steps in bringing the new Museum of the American Revolution to Old City. A commencement ceremony will be held at the building’s future site, 101 S. 3rd St., at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday March 5, and will feature a red, white and blue salute, period re-enactors and a fife and drum corp.
The current location, which formerly served as a visitor center to Independence Hall, has not seen use since 2002. In attendance at the event will be Governor Ed Rendell, the museum’s president and CEO Michael C. Quinn, as well as General George Washington, not to be confused with the former president.
The final product will come complete with theater, both permanent and temporary exhibition galleries, a museum gift shop and a café area overlooking the rest of the historic neighborhood, as well as a proposed view of the Philly skyline. Claiming to tell the “complete story” behind the birth of the republic, the museum’s collection boasts an impressive number of one-of-a-kind artifacts, including hand-written letters and memoirs from colonial soldiers, an authentic copy of the first newspaper to publish the Declaration of Independence and even a tent that once served as George Washington’s office.
Originally, the museum was set to overlook the historic army camps in the hills of Valley Forge, but due to opposition claiming that a newly built structure would compromise the integrity of the site, the development was halted and through a land exchange with the National Parks, shifted its location to Old City.
Signed on to tackle the design is renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern, whose company is responsible for the now iconic, still behemoth Comcast Center skyscraper. The proposed three-story, 118,000 square-foot building will cost about $56 million. After factoring in construction, designing and engineering, the one-time hit will reach upward of $135.9 million, but when completed, it will provide the area with 577 new full-time positions with estimated $22.8 million in annual income.
“Beginning with the preparation of the site, the project will bring new vitality to this important location in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic district.” said Quinn. “We are pleased to be taking this first step toward making our vision a reality as we prepare for construction of the new museum.”
The preparation and demolition will take place through the spring, and building construction is expected to start this summer head by Philadelphia-based INTECH Construction. Spokespeople for the museum voiced anticipation for an opening in late 2016.
