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The mission of the American Revolution Institute is to promote understanding and appreciation of the American Revolution and its enduring legacy.

The Institute fulfills its mission through its museum, library and education programs, including creating exhibitions on the American Revolution and its legacy.

The American Revolution secured our nation’s independence and established a government rooted in the ideals of liberty, equality, civic responsibility and self-government. Those ideals continue to guide and challenge each generation of Americans. Through exhibitions, scholarship, collections, educational programs and public engagement, the Institute brings the people, ideas and experiences of the Revolutionary era to life for audiences of all ages.

Founded by the Society of the Cincinnati, the nation’s oldest patriotic organization, the American Revolution Institute serves as a center for learning, reflection and discovery. We believe that studying the American Revolution deepens our understanding of the nation’s origins while encouraging thoughtful engagement with the responsibilities of citizenship today.

At the heart of our work is a commitment to preserving and sharing one of the world’s most important collections of Revolutionary-era books, manuscripts, maps, art and artifacts. Through our museum exhibitions, digital initiatives, library and archive, public programs and educational resources, we connect people with the remarkable human stories that shaped the founding of the United States.

We fulfill our mission by:

• preserving and sharing collections related to the American Revolution and its legacy;
• supporting academic scholarship and championing research that reveals new information about our founding history;
• presenting exhibitions, lectures and public programs that bring Revolutionary history to life;
• creating educational resources for teachers, students and families;
• fostering thoughtful exploration of the Revolution’s people, ideas and global impact; and
• encouraging appreciation for the enduring relevance of the American founding era.

We welcome all who are inspired by the history and legacy of the American Revolution to explore, learn and engage with us as we commemorate America’s founding and the ideals that continue to unite and inspire people across generations.