American Revolution Institute

On April 18 we were joined by ARI master teacher Rob Schulte (NJ) in a presentation to the New Hampshire Society of the Cincinnati about our K-12 learning resources, including Schulte’s classroom lesson, “Notions of Independence.” Learn more at bit.ly/4sNIi3f

Thomas Jefferson, born this week in 1743, was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. See a rare copy of the first printing of the Declaration, known as the Dunlap Broadside, on display through May 12. Learn more at bit.ly/4mzCwAz

“The officers of the American Army do hereby in the most solemn manner associate, constitute and combine themselves, into one society of Friends”. #OTD Apr 15 1783, Maj Gen Henry Knox wrote the draft of the Institution establishing the Society of the Cincinnati. Learn more, here: bit.ly/4tguf7p

Next Tues., 4/21 at 6:30 pm! Join us for an author’s talk featuring historian Emily Sneff discussing her new book that reveals how the Declaration was communicated in the US and around the Atlantic World. Learn more & register: bit.ly/4mBALmI #RevWar250

#OTD 4/12/1779 Spain’s King Charles III signed the Treaty of Aranjuez, providing military support to France during the #RevWar. Watch one of our new Year in Revolution series videos to learn more about the Franco-Spanish alliance: bit.ly/3PVGW8Z

In April 1776, Americans began defending NY & NJ after the British evacuated Boston. GW arrived on April 13 to begin inspecting Manhattan’s defenses. An orderly book from Capt. John Schenck’s company recorded these efforts. View the orderly book on The Field: bit.ly/4vjwrfN

Can’t make it to D.C. to see our new exhibition, Voices of Revolution, in person? You’re covered! Accompanying the exhibition is an interactive that allows you to learn about 25 battles of the #RevWar through people who experienced them. Start exploring: bit.ly/4mhrYWT

Tonight at 7 p.m. on Zoom! Join the Institute’s senior manager of historical programs and marketing, Andrew Outten, and @USArmyMuseum’s education specialist, John Maass, for a virtual discussion about the Society of the Cincinnati at their next Battle Brief program. bit.ly/4cuzdHt

Next Fri., 4/10 at 12:30 pm! Join us for a virtual Lunch Bite featuring the Institute’s library director, Thomas Lannon, examining one of the most important pamphlets in American history: Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, published in January 1776. Learn more & Register: bit.ly/4dnQGlW

Next Thurs., 4/9 at 6:30 p.m.! Join us for a lecture featuring Andrew Outten of the American Revolution Institute reexamining the Battle of Brandywine from the perspective of the civilian population that experienced the engagement. Learn more & register: bit.ly/4clbU2K

We are excited to announce the release of two more years of our Year in Revolution classroom video series highlighting the people, ideas and ideals, events, key places, relationships, and timelines for the years 1779 and 1780! Watch them at bit.ly/47ElQls

Greetings from Montgomery, AL—named for #RevWar Maj. Gen. R. Montgomery #BattleofQuebec—the scene of #NCHE2026. We enjoyed 3 days with 500+ teachers from across the country discussing the #AmRev and its impact on the region.

If you're in Philadelphia, visit @phillyseaport to see examples of Society of the Cincinnati china from our collections now on view in the 250th exhibition “Seeking Profit and Power: Philadelphia, China Trade, and the Making of America.”

Some women assumed combat roles in the #RevWar. Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man to enlist in the army but was later discovered when Dr. Barnabas Binney treated her for illness. Learn more in our exhibit Voices of Revolution. bit.ly/4bwWgji

Some #RevWar women worked as sutlers—merchants who sold produce, liquor, and other goods in camp. This 9th PA Regiment orderly book includes regulations for their work. See it in our exhibit Voices of Revolution. Learn more: bit.ly/4bwWgji

First published in 1757, A Treatise of Artillery is a striking example of 18th century military science in print. The volume covers guns, carriages, mortars, sieges, and more. View it in the Field, our new digital library: bit.ly/4lDPaxX

Teachers! Today official day to sign up to reserve our #ContinentalArmy or #RevWar at sea classroom traveling trunks for the 2026-27 school year! This popular and free K-12 resource features primary source-based lessons & reproduction items. Sign up today: bit.ly/3JoC9Wj

🍀 This #StPatricksDay remember Irish immigrant John Dunlap of Strabane, County Tyrone. He printed the first copies of the Declaration of Independence in 1776—and fought with George Washington at Trenton and Princeton. One of Dunlap’s broadsides is now on view at the American Revolution Institute.

#OTD, 250 years ago, British forces evacuated Boston. With American fortifications on Dorchester Heights, General Howe chose evacuation over destruction, loaded more than 9,000 British soldiers and Loyalists onto transport ships & sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Art in Bloom DC 2026 opens this Thurs.! For 4 days, the event features more than 30 floral arrangements displayed in our museum. We won’t be running our usual museum tours during Art in Bloom, but our exhibition Voices of Revolution will be open throughout the event. bit.ly/4sSaSAY