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.
November 2018
Holidays through History
Celebrate the holidays at Anderson House and two other neighborhood museums—Dumbarton House and Woodrow Wilson House—at this annual yuletide pilgrimage. Stroll through the three festively decorated mansions and learn about historical Christmas traditions. Each site will feature a cocktail inspired by their period, as well as holiday music, crafts and refreshments. Reservations suggested. Tickets cost $25 per person in advance; $30 at the door.
Find out more »December 2018
Lunch Bite – Larz Anderson before Isabel
Larz and Isabel Anderson met in 1895, were married in 1897 and began the construction of Anderson House in 1902. But what was Larz Anderson's life like before he met his wife? Join Kelsey Atwood, tour and public program manager, for a look at his early years through photographs, letters and journals that reveal little-known details about his childhood, early travels and education. The presentation will last approximately 30 minutes with time afterwards for up-close viewing of the photographs and…
Find out more »Concert – Classical Holiday
Amanda Dame, flautist, and Chelsea de Souza, pianist, perform classical favorites for the holiday season. This is the last performance of the fall American Music Series. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Find out more »Author’s Talk – Frontier Rebels: The Fight for Independence in the American West, 1765-1776
Patrick Spero, director of the American Philosophical Society Library, discusses and signs copies of his book on the untold story of the Black Boys, a band of rebels on the American frontier in 1765 whose protests helped to spark the American Revolution. In 1765, as the Stamp Act riled eastern seaports, frontiersmen clashed with the British Empire over another issue: Indian relations. When British officials launched a risky diplomatic expedition into the American interior to open trade with the Indian warrior…
Find out more »January 2019
Lunch Bite – Highland Broadsword
British military historian and armaments specialist Paul Newman discusses a Highland broadsword, the iconic weapon of the Highland Scots in the eighteenth century. During the Revolutionary War, the basket-hilt broadsword was carried by Scottish infantrymen and some British dragoons in the Royal Army, as well as by Scottish immigrants to the Carolinas and Georgia who served in loyalist units. American troops captured Highland broadswords on the battlefield as well as from British supply ships. This example was used during the…
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