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.
May 2026
Author’s Talk—The Killing of Jane McCrea: An American Tragedy on the Revolutionary Frontier
Paul Staiti, professor of fine arts at Mount Holyoke College, discusses his new book that, for the first time, undertakes a comprehensive investigation into the life, death, and legacy of Jane McCrea, who was killed by a Native American warrior serving alongside British general John Burgoyne’s 1777 expedition in New York. Using both visual arts and written records, Professor Staiti reassembles the scattered fragments of McCrea’s story to illuminate a historical terrain long since shrouded in misinformation, controversy, and mythology.…
Find out more »Revolutionary War Family Day
Bring the family and kick off the 250th anniversary celebrations with a day of Revolutionary War activities—for free! Guests will be able to view a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, printed by John Dunlap in 1776; meet historic interpreters, including Continental soldiers; participate in hands-on activities; sign our giant Declaration of Independence; view our current exhibition, Voices of Revolution; and more. Admission is free, but registration is requested. Use the link below to get your tickets.
Find out more »Author’s Talk—The Cherokee War of 1776: Native Destruction at the Dawn of American Independence
Historian Kevin Kokomoor of Coastal Carolina University discusses his new book that recasts America’s founding moment by tracing the importance of westward ambition and settler violence to the origins of the Revolutionary War and uncovers the rarely acknowledged war waged by the emerging United States against the Cherokee people just days after the Declaration of Independence was signed. Dr. Kokomoor foregrounds Cherokee voices, motivations, and resilience, challenging the notion that they were merely pawns in a colonial struggle and forcing…
Find out more »Author’s Talk—Washington’s One-Man Army: The Life, Legends, and Battles of Peter Francisco
Adm. John Palmer (Ret.), U.S. Navy, discusses his new book that tells the riveting narrative of Peter Francisco, who was born in the Portuguese Azores in 1760, was kidnapped and brought to Virginia in 1765, and joined the Continental Army’s Virginia Line at the outbreak of the American Revolution. Considered to be a larger-than-life soldier at 6 feet 6 inches tall, he served in the Battles of Brandywine, Germanton, Monmouth, Stony Point, and Guilford Courthouse. Admiral Palmer tells the true…
Find out more »June 2026
Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk Weekend
Join us and four of our partner museums in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C., that will be open free of charge for this annual festival featuring special exhibitions and activities. At Anderson House, visit our 250th exhibition Voices of Revolution and explore the mansion at your own pace, with our expert docents and staff on hand for more information about the museum and the collections. Participating museums for 2026 are Anderson House, The Phillips Collection, The President Wilson…
Find out more »