W&L’s Institutional History Museum and Galleries to Present Screenings of ‘The American Revolution’ The community screenings will include thematic highlight reels from the PBS series and feature conversations with university faculty and community members.

Image courtesy of PBS.

Washington and Lee University’s Institutional History Museum and Galleries (IHMG) will host three community screenings of the recent PBS documentary “The American Revolution” in January and February, providing helpful context for the upcoming commemorations of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The screenings are open to the public and will be held at 5 p.m. on Jan. 13, Jan. 28 and Feb. 10 in Northen Auditorium in Leyburn Library on W&L’s campus. Admission is free but registration is required.

Directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, “The American Revolution” explores the country’s founding struggle and eight-year war for independence. Each screening will include a 30-minute thematic reel of stories and highlights from the six-part series and feature a moderated conversation between audience members and university faculty and community panelists.

Faith and Freedom in America | Jan. 13 at 5 p.m.
The “Faith and Freedom in America” screening will include select excerpts that explore religion and religious diversity during the eighteenth century, with topics such as the Great Wagon Road and colonial immigration in the British American colonies, Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” the founders’ positions on religious freedom in America and the British surrender at Saratoga. Byron Faidley, digital collections manager at W&L, will lead a discussion following the screening.

Voices and Visions of 1776 | Jan. 28 at 5 p.m.
“Voices and Visions of 1776: Art & Culture” will feature topics of art, music and literature from the Revolutionary War era, including the Homespun Movement in response to taxes on imported British goods and the Continental Congress’ Flag Resolution establishing the first American flag, as well as the works of Thomas Paine, Betsy Ambler and Mercy Otis Warren. The panel discussion will feature Faidley and Wendy Castenell, assistant professor of art history at W&L.

The Spirit of Service | Feb. 10 at 5 p.m.
“The Spirit of Service” excerpts are designed to encourage thoughtful discussion about the American revolution and the spirit of service in American culture. Featured topics will include the Declaration of Independence, the service of chaplains in the Continental Army, the tutor Philip Vickers Fithian, women’s role in the war effort and the composition of the Continental Army. Faidley and Franklin Sammons, assistant professor of history at W&L, will lead a discussion following the screening.

W&L’s Institutional History Museum and Galleries include the University Chapel and Galleries, the Washington Hall Galleries and the forthcoming Institutional History Museum. The IHMG stewards a growing collection reflective of the full and rich history of the university, its people, traditions and impact throughout the nation’s history.

Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.