The American Revolution Institute 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. Each workshop consists of a lecture on the chosen theme by a scholar associated with the Institute as well as presentations by Institute staff on classroom resources, and a guided tour of the host site connecting the local history to themes explored in the workshop. American Revolution Institute workshops are free to educators. Participating teachers receive confirmation of professional development hours.
Workshop 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. 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.
The Institute also participates in annual conferences sponsored by national and state organizations involved with American history education, including the National Conference for the Social Studies and the National Council for History Education, and 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 2024-2025 academic year.
Upcoming Events:
Hard History and the Revolutionary Generation
Virginia Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference
March 1-3, 2023, Farmville, VA
Revolutions are born when the equilibrium of power and representation in a society destabilizes, a portion of that society seizes the moment, and those distributions are forcefully rebalanced. Ensuring that all Americans enjoy the unalienable rights promised by its Revolution, “the equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them” remains a work in progress. This session will explore absent and underrepresented narratives of the revolutionary generation and address the hard history that casts a shadow over America’s highest ideals. VCSS Conference link.
The American Revolution: Crossroads of Power and Representation
National Council for History Education (NCHE) 34th Annual Conference
March 7-9, Cleveland, OH
Revolution presents the issue of power and representation as a crossroad—an “unstable equilibrium, [that], cannot continue indefinitely.” However, achieving the “equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them,” promised to all Americans by its Revolution, remains a work in progress. Explore absent and underrepresented narratives of Oneida, Quaker, Hispanic, Black, and female Americans of the revolutionary generation. NCHE Conference link.
Recent Events:
Revolutionary Voices
Free Workshop for Virginia Teachers
February 3, 2024, Mason Neck (Lorton), VA
Join us at George Mason’s Gunston Hall to learn about The Critical Role of Spain during the American Revolution, America’s First Allies: The Oneida Indian Nation, Southern Heroines in the Revolution, and Destruction & Wanton Waste: The Impact of War in a Peaceful Valley & the Quaker Community. Explore ARI lessons and primary source materials chronicling lesser-known testimonies from America’s War for Independence with Virginia master teacher Anne Walker, George Mason University professor Dr. Larrie Ferreiro, and our talented in-house team. Multi-disciplinary resources align with Virginia’s 2023 Standards of Learning for History & Social Science and are available free online—readily accessible for synchronous or asynchronous learning. Continental breakfast and lunch provided along with admission to Gunston Hall Mansion, Museuam and Grounds. Funding provided by the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Virginia. Download PDF flyer with details.
Discord, Harmony, and the American Republic
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) 103rd Annual Conference
December 1-3, 2023, Nashville, TN
The wisest Revolutionaries understood that creating a truly free society would take many generations of Americans working in concert to achieve the high ideals articulated during our struggle for independence. Explore ARI lessons and primary source materials chronicling the delicate history of America’s republic with Memphis-Shelby County master teacher, Will Kelley. Multi-disciplinary resources align with the C3 Framework and Common Core and are available free online—readily accessible for synchronous or asynchronous learning. NCSS Conference link.
“Designed to Impress the Revolution on the Minds of Youth”
South Carolina Council for the Social Studies (SCCSS) Annual Conference
September 28-30, 2023, Greenville, SC
Participants will explore the 1810 publication The Patriot’s Monitor: Designed to Impress the First Principles of the Revolution…for Schools and propose essential primary source readings for a 2023 version for SC students. Online lessons created by ARI master teachers teaching in South Carolina will be spotlighted as well—with one of those educators on hand to present their experience researching with our library and museum collections. Additional ARI K-12 classroom resources will be shared as time permits. 2023 SCCSS Conference link.
American “Notions of Independence”
Florida Council for History Education (FLCHE) 7th Annual Conference
July 28-29, 2023, St. Augustine, FL
Primary sources from our rare library collections will be shared with participants to consider perhaps “the” pivotal turning point in America’s history—declaring independence from Great Britain. Educators will begin with a letter written by British army captain John Gunning during the Siege of Boston in which he sums up American attitudes on the subject of independence: “the same spirit shows itself from Nova Scotia to the Carolinas; burning with the fiercest flame in Philadelphia, New York and New England . . . The People I say presuming on their numbers, and animated by Notions of Independence, are and have been determined for some years past to throw off the British yoke.” Participants will also examine a series of letters from Captain Jonathan Birge to his family in Connecticut chronicling his unit’s campaign through New York from August through October 1776, to appreciate how ordinary Americans were motivated by the Enlightenment ideals put forward in the Declaration of Independence. Cpt. Birge was a commissioned officer in the Crown’s Army before events in 1775 moved him to declare himself an American first, and an Englishman second, and accept a commission in the Continental Army. Online lessons created by three ARI master teachers teaching in Florida will be spotlighted as well—with one or more of those educators on hand to present their experience researching with our library and museum collections. Additional ARI K-12 classroom resources will be shared as time permits. 2023 FLCHE Conference link.
For more information, contact:
Stacia Smith
Director of Education
ssmith@societyofthecincinnati.org
202.785.2040 x416