Revolutionary Germantown Festival

10/04/2025

It's festival day! Cliveden, the sites of Germantown , and festival participants have a great day planned with hands-on activities with craftspeople, tours of Cliveden and other historic sites, visiting with British and Continental soldiers in their camps, and more.

Grab a Guidebook or visit our website https://cliveden.org/revolutionary-germantown-festival/ for the full schedule and to plan your day. Feel free to take pictures while you're at the festival and tag us - we'd love to see them.

We will be providing updates throughout the day via Cliveden's Instagram, . We look forward to seeing you here. Huzzah! Thank you to our sponsors - 's Chocolates , the Cheshire Law Group, Elfant Wissahickon Realtors, John Milner Architects, Inc. , Randall & Linda Miller, Ted and Dianne Reed, and Wissahickon Landscape Design.

The Revolutionary Germantown Festival returns Saturday, October 5, 2024! Come and learn about Germantown's revolutionary history.

10/04/2025

248 years ago today, Washington and his troops marched into Germantown to force the British out of Germantown and then (hopefully) Philadelphia. The Continental Army was successful in surprising the British, but the resulting artillery fire alerted British Colonel Thomas Musgrave's 40th Regiment, who were camped in the fields surrounding Cliveden. Cut off from the main British line, Musgrave ordered his troops into the Main House and used it as a fortress during the battle.

On the Continental side, General Henry Knox suggested to Washington that their troops ‘reduce’ the house. They were ultimately unsuccessful; the thick stone walls protected the house from a cannon attack and fire, and American troops were unable to storm the house. After hours of intense fighting in and around Cliveden, Washington and his forces retreated to Montgomery County. 1,000 Continental soldiers lost their lives in the fight.

The festival starts in a few hours - join us at 10am to learn about the full scale of the battle and the soldiers experience.

🖼: Cliveden during the Battle of Germantown, by Edward Lamson Henry (1841-1919), 1875.

10/04/2025

On this day in 1777, Washington shared his plans with the troops for the Battle of Germantown. Towards the end of September, General Howe and the British had successfully captured Philadelphia, marching in an ornate parade into the city. The Continental forces could not rally to prevent the British taking the capitol and now was the time to come up with a plan of attack. The Continentals started marching towards Germantown from Montgomery County during the night to catch the British off guard.

10/03/2025

✨ Tomorrow is the day! The Revolutionary Germantown Festival is happening tomorrow, Saturday, October 4th, and it's going to be a beautiful day to celebrate history. Here are a few quick tips and reminders to help you plan your visit to Cliveden:

📍 Location: Cliveden is at 6401 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144.

🚗 Getting Here: We are accessible via SEPTA and by car. Neighborhood street parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Everyone: The festival is open to all ages with activities for both children and adults!

🗺️ Must-Have: Be sure to grab a Festival Guidebook when you arrive for the full schedule, map, and info about local businesses and organizations.

👟 Be Mindful: Comfortable shoes are highly recommended! Fall is here, so please be mindful of acorns, black walnuts, and leaves on the grounds.

📸 Share Your Day! We would love to see your photos from the festival! Tag us:
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The fun begins in less than 24 hours – we look forward to seeing you here tomorrow.

Thank you to our sponsors: Asher's Chocolates, the Cheshire Law Group, Elfant Wissahickon Realtors, John Milner Architects, Inc., Randall & Linda Miller, Ted and Dianne Reed, and Wissahickon Landscape Design, LLC.

10/02/2025

Tom McGuire, author of 'The Surprise of Germantown,' will be at the 2025 Revolutionary Germantown Festival discussing the 1777 Battle of Germantown. Beginning at 10:30am, meet Tom by the House to hear what happened before, during and after the battle. Saturday marks the 248th anniversary of the battle, so be sure to listen in to Tom's presentation at the festival.

It's going to be a beautiful day in Germantown - we look forward to seeing you here at the festival! Here's the schedule: https://cliveden.org/revolutionary-germantown-festival/

Thank you again to our sponsors: Asher's Chocolates, the Cheshire Law Group, Elfant Wissahickon Realtors, Randall & Linda Miller, John Milner Architects, Inc. , Ted & Dianne Reed, and Wissahickon Landscape Design.

10/02/2025

Don't forget to visit Half Crown Bakehouse during the festival to view 18th century bread baking and purchase some for yourself! In their post, they highlight Christopher Ludwick who was appointed to be the Master Baker for the Continental Army in 1777. Interesting fact: Christopher Ludwick is buried in Germantown at St. Michael's Lutheran Church.

We're very excited this year to be part of the Revolutionary Germantown Festival this year on Saturday October 4th from 10am-4pm!! We'll be baking bread in the traditional method of the 18th century focusing on 1777. That same year, Christopher Ludwick was appointed Superintendent of the Baking dept. Of the Continental Army. Baker Master Ludwick's final resting place is a short 10 minute walk from

10/01/2025

Ready for the 2025 Revolutionary Germantown Festival this Saturday? Don't worry about getting hungry - we've got delicious food and drinks lined up for you all festival long.

Start your morning right in front of the Cliveden Barn (98 E. Cliveden Street, 19119):
☕Coffee and cinnamon rolls from High Point Cafe for sale
🥨 Free soft pretzels from Wawa (while supplies last!)

For lunch and dessert, head over to Germantown Avenue and purchase food from these local businesses:
🍴 Cluck and Gills: known for their chicken and fish dishes
🍵 Malelani Cafe Mt. Airy: family owned cafe serving modern Greek cuisine and located a few blocks up the avenue from Cliveden
🍽 Royal Zarasa: known for their delicious comfort food
🍪The Frosted Fox Cake Shop: family owned bakery located one block up from Cliveden who make baked goods from scratch

Festival day is almost here, and it's going to be a beautiful day! We can't wait to see you on Saturday!

Find all the details here:
➡️ https://cliveden.org/revolutionary-germantown-festival/

09/24/2025

Several Historic Germantown sites will be at the festival, offering fun activities throughout the day: ACES Veterans Museum Honoring All Veterans, Awbury Arboretum, Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, Grumblethorpe, Historic Germantown, Historic Rittenhouse Town, Stenton and Johnson House Historic Site. Visit their tables to learn about them and try your hand at papermaking, writing your name with a quill, and more.

Several sites will also be open for tours (guided and self-guided) for the festival. Visit our website - https://cliveden.org/revolutionary-germantown-festival/ - for the addresses and to plan out your visit to Historic Fair Hill, Allens Lane Art Center, Wyck Historic House, Garden, and Farm, Concord School House and Upper Burying Ground, The Colored Girls Museum, Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust, Historic Rittenhouse Town, and Lest We Forget Slavery Museum.

Take some time and explore the great historic sites in our neighborhood on October 4th.

09/23/2025

Learn about 18th century crafts and try your hand at making some during the festival! Blacksmithing returns this year, along with candle dipping, upholstery with first-person interpreter Carol Spacht portraying Ann King, making and caring for clothing with the Heritage Sewing and Skillbuilders, and a tailoring demonstration by Daniel Seih.

Some of these stations will be available throughout the festival while others are at scheduled times. Visitors can view the blacksmith demonstration at 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm, and the upholstery demonstration from 1pm to 4pm.

Visit our website for the full festival schedule and to plan your day in Germantown! ➡️ https://cliveden.org/revolutionary-germantown-festival/

09/22/2025

Storyteller Irma Gardner-Hammond will portray Dinah, a once enslaved woman who lived and labored at Stenton in the 18th century, at the Revolutionary Germantown Festival. Stop by Stenton’s table throughout the day to meet Dinah, view primary sources, and learn more about the Dinah Memorial. At 1:30pm, hear her story about her experience of the American Revolution.

Stenton (located at 4601 N. 18th Street) will also be open for tours on October 4th, from 1pm to 4pm. Tours begin on the hour.

We're a little over a week away from the festival - we look forward to seeing you in Germantown! For the full festival schedule, see https://cliveden.org/revolutionary-germantown-festival/.