The Connelly Foundation announced a new initiative during Catholic Schools Week (January 26–30) that will provide fully funded field trips to the Museum of the American Revolution for Catholic schools across the Philadelphia region.
The announcement, made Jan. 28 on “Celebrating Our Nation” Day, invites Archdiocese of Philadelphia schools, Independence Mission Schools, and private independent Catholic schools to mark the nation’s semiquincentennial by engaging with early American history in the city where it began.
Under the program, one grade from each school will receive a no‑cost visit to the museum, with transportation and admission covered. Students will explore the museum’s permanent galleries as well as The Declaration’s Journey, an exhibition commemorating the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding and examining the global impact of the Declaration of Independence. More than 160 Catholic elementary and high schools are eligible for the trips.
“Catholic Schools Week is about celebrating faith, learning, and the formation of young people, and there is no better place to do that than in Philadelphia, where our nation’s story began,” said Tom Riley, president of the Connelly Foundation.
“By fully funding these museum visits, we’re giving students the opportunity to engage directly with the ideals that shaped our country—and to see themselves as part of the ongoing American experiment as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding,” he said.
The initiative builds on the Connelly Access Program (CAP), which for more than 30 years has connected Catholic elementary schools with cultural institutions through funded field trips, assemblies, and workshops for grades 4–8. Forty‑eight schools currently participate, partnering with more than 20 organizations, including the Museum of the American Revolution, a CAP provider since 2018.
“This initiative brings classroom learning to life in a powerful and memorable way,” said Jay DeFruscio, chief operating officer of Archdiocese of Philadelphia Secondary Schools.
“Thanks to the generosity of the Connelly Foundation, our students will be able to experience our nation’s history firsthand—deepening their understanding of civic responsibility, faith, and the values that continue to guide our schools and communities.”
R. Scott Stephenson, CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution, said the museum is honored to welcome students as Philadelphia prepares for the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“These visits offer students a meaningful opportunity to connect the past to the present, especially through our Declaration’s Journey exhibition,” he said.
The Connelly Foundation has supported the museum since 2013 and helped fund The Declaration’s Journey. As administrator of the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial, the Foundation and its partners are also backing regional programs that commemorate the nation’s founding and create educational experiences for the next generation.
Schools may choose which grade will participate, with visits scheduled throughout 2026.
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