The mission of the American Revolution Institute is to ensure that all Americans understand and appreciate the legacy of the American Revolution — the event that secured our national independence, established our republic, created our national identity, and articulated ideals of liberty, equality, natural and civil rights, and responsible citizenship that have shaped our nation’s history and will shape the future of the world.
The American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati, Inc., is a center for education dedicated to promoting understanding and appreciation of the American Revolution and its legacy. We imagine a future in which every American is inspired by the American Revolution, the vast event that created our nation, and embraces our revolutionary ideals of universal liberty and responsible citizenship.
The Society of the Cincinnati, the nation’s oldest patriotic organization, created the American Revolution Institute in 2012 to renew appreciation of the history and ideals of our revolutionary generation. Like the Continental Army officers who founded the Society of the Cincinnati, we believe the American Revolution was, in the words of the Institution of the Society of the Cincinnati, a “vast event” that set our nation, and the world, on the path to universal liberty.
We work to fulfill our mission by:
- supporting advanced study in our world-class research library and archives;
- presenting exhibitions and public programs;
- preserving our nation’s Revolutionary heritage in our collections, especially books, manuscripts, art and artifacts;
- providing resources to teachers, students, scholars and lifelong learners; and
- encouraging interest in and appreciation for the history and legacy of the American Revolution in a variety of other ways.
The history and ideals of the American Revolution are the foundation of our national identity. If they are forgotten, we will have nothing to hold us together. Future generations, unaware of the historic sacrifices that secured our liberty, will fail to value that liberty and sacrifice to preserve it. Our country, as it has been for more than two hundred years, will be lost.
We won’t let that happen. We are working to perpetuate the remarkable story of our Revolution and the ideals we hold most dear. We invite you to join us in this work.
We welcome all who care about the history of the American Revolution and who share our hopes for the future of the United States to join us as Associates of the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati.
Learn More about the Associates