Supporting scholarship and promoting popular understanding of the American Revolution is central to the work of the American Revolution Institute. The Institute welcomes distinguished scholars and authors to share their insights and discuss their latest research with the public at Anderson House through lectures, author's talks and panel discussions. The Institute also hosts a variety of other historical programs throughout the year, including our Lunch Bite object talks, battlefield tours, special Anderson House tour programs and other events. Many of the events we offer are free.

February 2025
From the Vault—Celebrating George Washington’s Birthday
In commemoration of George Washington’s birthday, join our library staff, along with former research fellow and historian Craig Bruce Smith, for a special program exploring treasures from our library collections relating to the first American commander-in-chief and the first president general of the Society of the Cincinnati. This special public viewing in the research library will allow guests to view the items up close, while reflecting on their meaning nearly 250 years later. The evening will conclude with a silent…
Find out more »Lunch Bite—The Orderly Book of Edmund Bancroft from September-December 1775
The Institute’s library director, Thomas Lannon, discusses the orderly book of Edmund Bancroft—the first orderly book acquired by the Institute for its library collections. Initially a non-commissioned officer in Col. William Prescott’s Regiment from May-December 1775, Edmund Bancroft was likely a participant at the Battle of Bunker Hill before becoming an ensign in the Seventh Continental Infantry in 1776, and eventually became a first lieutenant in the Fifteenth Massachusetts Regiment before he died in service. Although his orderly book was…
Find out more »March 2025
Author’s Talk—Threshold to Valley Forge: The Six Days of the Gulph Mills Encampment
Between December 12–19, 1777, Gen. George Washington and his Continental Army encamped in the towering hills of Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania, fifteen miles from Philadelphia. Known as the threshold to Valley Forge, the Gulph Mills Encampment is often forgotten or minimized, falling between the more famous military engagements of the Philadelphia Campaign and the well-known experience of the army at Valley Forge. Yet, the Gulph Mills Encampment was a pivotal microcosm of the Revolutionary War and the issues that confronted the…
Find out more »Special Opening Reception — Revolutionary Beginnings: War and Remembrance in the First Year of America’s Fight for Independence
Join us for a reception celebrating the opening our new exhibition, Revolutionary Beginnings: War and Remembrance in the First Year of America's Fight for Independence. The War for American Independence began on April 19, 1775 — 250 years ago this spring — with the Battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. These initial engagements gave way to the Patriots’ Siege of Boston, a nearly year-long effort to drive the British from the city. But the fighting during the first year…
Find out more »Lecture—The Cutting Off Way: Indigenous Warfare in the American Revolution
Historian Wayne E. Lee of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill discusses Indigenous warfare before and during the American Revolution. Throughout the Revolution, Indigenous warriors sought to surprise their targets, and the size of the target varied with the size of the attacking force. A small war party might "cut off" individuals getting water or wood or out hunting, while a larger party might attempt to attack a whole town. Once revealed by its attack, the invading war party…
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