First Oval Office Project at Penn's McNeil Center with the Living History Youth Summer Institute

Join the Museum on Saturday, Aug. 5, at the McNeil Center for Early American Studies where students from the Living History Youth Summer Institute, along with costumed living historians, will set up our First Oval Office Project, a recreated Revolutionary War encampment. The Museum's First Oval Office Project includes handsewn, full-scale replicas of General George Washington's sleeping marquee, camp bed, furniture, and more that served as his mobile headquarters while on campaign. This program, which will be held on the University of Pennsylvania's campus at 3355 Woodland Walk, is free and open to the public. It is a rain or shine event.

This event is a culminating public event for the students participating in the Museum's Living History Youth Summer Institute, which is part of our African American Interpretive Program. This six-week summer institute is an intensive course for young adults interested in interpreting the lives of people of African ancestry in the Revolutionary era and involves guest speakers, research projects, and field study. It will prepare the participants to explore careers in cultural heritage, museum, and theater fields.

Support for the Living History Youth Summer Institute provided by the Bergman Foundation and National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Additional support for the Living History Youth Summer Institute provided by the Frances and Benjamin Benenson Foundation in honor of Morris W. Offit, Bergman Foundation and National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Comcast NBCUniversal is the sponsor of the Museum’s African American Interpretive Program.