The Sword Will be Unveiled on Commodore Barry Day, Sept. 13th

The Revolutionary War sword of Commodore John Barry, considered a “Father of the U.S. Navy,” will return to Philadelphia for the first time since 1939 and will be on view at the Museum of the American Revolution beginning Sept. 13, 2023, which is celebrated as Commodore Barry Day. The sword, which is on loan from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, was displayed in the Oval Office during John F. Kennedy’s presidency.

On Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, from Noon – 12:30 p.m., during Philadelphia’s celebration of Navy Week and Marine Corps Week, a public event will be held on the Museum’s outdoor plaza, immediately following the Commodore John Barry Commemorative Mass at Old St. Mary’s Church in Old City, where Barry’s grave is located. The ceremony will include representatives from the Museum and the U.S. Navy discussing Barry’s history and significance as well as a musical performance by the U.S. Navy brass quintet. This event is free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to purchase a ticket to the Museum to view Barry’s sword following the ceremony. More information here.

On Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, award-winning author Tim McGrath will present a lecture about the Continental Navy with a focus on Commodore Barry’s local connections to Philadelphia and the world of James Forten, a free Black Philadelphian and privateer. The lecture, part of the Museum’s popular Read the Revolution Speaker Series, is inspired by two of his books, Give Me a Fast Ship: The Continental Navy and America’s Revolution at Sea and John Barry: An American Hero in the Age of Sail. Tickets will be available at a later date.

Click HERE for more details.