The American Revolution Institute appears at national and state and conferences, and holds one-day workshops on the American Revolution at historic sites around the country, providing opportunities for teachers to expand their knowledge of the American Revolution, discuss strategies for teaching the subject with historians and fellow educators, and explore the Institute’s classroom resources. Instruction focuses on a specific theme related to the American Revolution, often connected to the history of the region where the workshop is held.
Themes typically relate to the American Revolution Institute’s Plan of Instruction on the American Revolution, which integrates effectively with the United States history standards in most states. Specific themes relate to the shaping of the Revolution, the Revolutionary War, the Revolutionary Republic, or the Legacy of the Revolution and address the constructive accomplishments of the American Revolution, usually in a manner closely tied to the history of the state or region where the workshop is held.
Each workshop consists of a lecture relative to the chosen theme delivered by a scholar associated with the Institute, presentations by Institute staff on classroom resources and featured library and museum collection items, and a guided tour of the host site connecting local history to the themes explored in the workshop. American Revolution Institute workshops are free to educators. Participating teachers receive confirmation of professional development hours.
The Institute also participates in annual conferences sponsored by national and state organizations involved with American history education including the National Council for the Social Studies and the National Council for History Education, as well as their regional and state affiliates. Registration, fees, and professional development credits for attending these events are managed by the respective organizations.
Contact us if you are interested in a workshop for your school district, state, or region during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Upcoming Events:
Spain and the Birth of American Democracy
Queen Sofia Spanish Institute & Daughters of the American Revolution Symposium
September 19-20, 2025, Washington, DC
Two days of academic lectures, panel discussions, and other activities about Spain’s contributions to the American Revolution at the DAR’s Constitution Hall. Registration link HERE.
Conrad M. Hall Symposium for Virginia History
Virginia Museum of History & Culture
October 4, 2025, Richmond, VA
The VMHC’s Conrad M. Hall Symposium for Virginia History is a one-day event where historians, practitioners, and members of the public gather to explore our shared past. Featuring panels and presentations that highlight groundbreaking research into Virginia history, tailored gallery tours that celebrate revolutionary Virginian’s and their ideas, and a special keynote lecture, the symposium links past with present to inspire future generations. Registration link HERE.
Liberty and Justice for All: Democratic Ideals and the American Revolution
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) 105th Annual Conference
December 5-7, 2025, Washington, DC
The Revolutionary generation challenged contemporary social norms to secure our democracy. Their stories have much to teach today’s generation about how ordinary Americans have the power to preserve our democracy. This session will showcase our new classroom video series to commemorate the semiquincentennial anniversary of the War for Independence—from 1775 through 1783. The series animates archives from our rare library and museum collections to cover the who, what, when, where, and how for each year of the war, in three-minute installments, including a “year in review.” We will also spotlight new, primary-source driven lesson content developed by two teacher alumni of our 2024 master teacher residential seminar—about forms of colonial protest and John Laurens’ work to actualize the democratic ideals of freedom and liberty by creating a regiment of Black soldiers in South Carolina. NCSS Conference link HERE.
“Revolutionary Beginnings”
Free Workshop for South Carolina Teachers
January 6, 2026, Camden, SC
Highlights include scholarship from the collections of the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati, including: “Revolutionary Beginnings: War and Remembrance in the First Year of America’s Fight for Independence,” “The Revolution at Play,” and “The Saga and Legacy of Andrew Wallace, a Revolutionary War Veteran and the ‘Rescuer of Lafayette,'” along with lesson plans from our American Revolution Institute Master Teachers from South Carolina. Multi-disciplinary resources align with the 2019 South Carolina Social Studies College- and Career-Ready Standards. Continental breakfast and lunch provided along with admission to Historic Camden. Funding provided by the Society of the Cincinnati of the State of South Carolina. Download PDF flyer with details and schedule HERE. Registration link HERE.
Recent Events:
Revolutionary Roots in St. Louis: The Battles of San Carlos and Cohokia & Lafayette’s Legacy
National Council for History Education (NCHE) 35th Annual Conference
March 20-22, 2025, St. Louis, MO
Explore the American Revolution’s local ties to St. Louis, including the 1780 battles of Fort San Carlos and Cahokia, and the 1825 legacy of the marquis de Lafayette. Investigate the region’s Franco-Spanish and Native American influences with a mini-lesson developed by one of our Illinois master teachers featuring our library and museum collections, as well as other lesson content developed by several of our Missouri master teachers. NCHE Conference link HERE.
Revolutionary Reflections: Lafayette and the Legacy of the American Revolution
Free Workshop for Virginia Teachers
February 8, 2025, Richmond, VA
Join us at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture to learn about the commitment of the marquis de Lafayette to universal human rights and his focus on empowering women, free and enslaved Black Americans, American Indians, and oppressed religious communities. The life and work of Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier was a testimony to the realization of Enlightenment principles in light of the legacy and achievements of the American Revolution: national independence, the establishment of a republic dedicated to the interests of ordinary people, a national identity based upon a collective narrative, and a free society based upon the basis of law and the ideals of liberty, equality, natural and civil rights, and responsible citizenship. Featured speaker Dr. Iris de Rode will present “Military Enlightenment on the Ground: the French and American Military Leaders that Secured American Independence.” Explore ARI lessons and primary source materials from America’s War for Independence with Virginia master teacher Anne Walker and our talented in-house team. Multi-disciplinary resources align with Virginia’s 2023 Standards of Learning for History & Social Science. Continental breakfast and lunch provided along with admission to the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and a special collections viewing. Funding provided by the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Virginia. Download PDF flyer with details and schedule HERE. Registration link HERE.
Lesser-Known Testimonies from America’s War for Independence
Fairfax County Public Schools Secondary Social Studies In-Service
August 14, 2024, Fairfax, VA
After nearly 250 years, realizing the high ideals promised to all Americans by the Revolution remains a work in progress. Learn how to incorporate primary source-based narratives from underrepresented segments of the revolutionary generation including the Oneida nation, the Quaker community, and the all-Black Second Company of the Fourth Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Army.
For more information, contact:
Stacia Smith
Director of Education
ssmith@societyofthecincinnati.org
202.785.2040 x416