IN THE NEWS! FIRST OVAL OFFICE PROJECT BRINGING REPLICAS OF

Washington’s Revolutionary Replica Command Tents To Heritage Days

When the America 250 Edition of Cumberland’s signature history weekend kicks off on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, a unique living history program created by the Museum of the American Revolution will be featured on the Canal Place Festival Lawn.

A cornerstone of the Philadelphia-based Museum’s collection is General George Washington’s Revolutionary War tent, the marquee or office and sleeping quarters that he used as the command center of the Continental Army and that is on permanent display at the Museum.

Each year, the hand-stitched replica tent, or First Oval Office Project, is pitched outdoors at sites around America as an interactive education and outreach program with associated replica tents, camp equipage, and furnishings. The program fosters special immersive opportunities to experience how this tent was used during the Revolutionary War.

NEW FREE PRESENTATIONS

At Heritage Days 2026, six period-attired museum staff interpreters will teach about Washington’s field headquarters and how he directed the Continental Army from this encampment. The program is planned to include accurate replicas of Washington’s sleeping and office marquee tent, larger dining tent, common soldier tents and associated baggage and furniture. This family-oriented presentation and all Heritage Days outdoor programming is free and open to the public.

Since 2021, Heritage Days and the Wills Creek Muster is organized and promoted by the Allegany County Historical Society (ACHS), which provides stewardship and programming for four historic properties as part of non-profit mission established in 1937. Since that change, the long-running festival has been voted by Allegany Magazine readers as their Favorite Festival for three consecutive years in 2023, 2024 and 2025. 

NEW FOOTPRINT

Festival organizers began working since the conclusion of last year’s event to retool and reprogram the Festival for a special one-time America 250 Edition that includes new layouts on Prospect Square that will bring America’s living history closer to the event’s main audience.

A return of the Festival to Cumberland’s Historic Town Center is also planned, include a march by the MacMillan Bagpipe Band into the heart of the city’s redesigned downtown, return of the popular antique car show to the Western Maryland Station and involvement of downtown’s growing retail hub of unique shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants.

NEW PARTNERSHIPS

This year, ACHS is pleased to be part of emerging partnerships with Canal Place, the Wills Hotel, the City of Cumberland, MDmountainside.com, the Allegany County Courthouse and an innovative package of coordinated sponsorship offers being assembled in conjunction with Cumberland Times-News print and digital outreaches.

Booth space for a variety of crafts and information uses, as well as food vendors, is still available for Heritage Days 2026. Applications can be found at www.heritagedaysfestival.com
Visit www.amrevmuseum.org to learn more about the Museum of the American Revolution.