Museum of the American Revolution

Producer: Michael O’Reilly

The Museum of the American Revolution explores the dynamic story of the American Revolution using its expansive collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art. Immersive galleries, dynamic theaters, and recreated historical environments bring to life the events, people, and ideals of our nation’s founding and engage people in the history and continuing relevance of the American Revolution. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, Carpenters’ Hall, and Franklin Court, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. FRIDAY ARTS goes behind the scenes and offers the viewer a rare glimpse of what it took to make some of the installations, including the life casting of a member of the museum staff for to serve as the template for one of the museum’s many figurines. In the case of the Oneida Nation exhibit, we hope to show why it was finally necessary to include the story of the Oneida and other Native American nations. Our cameras only cover months, but this is literally, a museum a hundred years in the making.


Lifecasting at MOAR
Produced by Michael O’Reilly
Edited by Demi Ratchford

Karen Atta, of Atta Inc. explains the life casting process used for the figures displayed in the Oneida Exhibit of the Museum of the American Revolution (MOAR). Alan Gutchess, Director of Fort Pitt Museum, demonstrates how life casting is done with Adrienne Whaley, the Schools Programs Manager of MOAR, who serves as a model for one of the figures in the museum.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal