Author and Historian Judith Van Buskirk to Explore the Lives and Stories of African American Revolutionaries, Feb. 1

PHILADELPHIA, JAN. 16, 2018 — To kick off Black History Month, author and historian Dr. Judith L. Van Buskirk will join the Museum of the American Revolution on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. for an illustrated discussion that will explore the lives and stories of African American Revolutionaries.

In her latest book, Standing in Their Own Light: African American Patriots in the American Revolution, Van Buskirk draws on Revolutionary War pension records to bring to life the thousands of African American men and women who joined the Revolutionary cause. She reveals how Black Revolutionary War soldiers played a major role in the shift from a society that accepted slavery as a given to a world that questioned it at every turn.

“The Museum of the American Revolution is committed to lifting up the lesser-known stories of the American Revolution, and Judy’s work certainly illuminates the stories of many of these largely unknown – but truly world-changing – Revolutionaries,” said Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, Vice President of Collections, Exhibitions and Programming at the Museum. “Judy’s detective work to uncover the lives and experiences of these unsung heroes is truly impressive.”

Van Buskirk is a professor of history at the State University of New York, Cortland. She also is the author of Generous Enemies: Patriots and Loyalists in Revolutionary New York, considered one of the best accounts of the American Revolution in New York.

Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for members. Tickets are available for purchase here or by calling 215.253.6731. A book signing will follow the discussion. Copies of Standing in Their Own Light will be available for purchase in the Museum store.

Tickets include admission to Museum’s special exhibit, Among His Troops: Washington’s War Tent in a Newly Discovered Watercolor, from 5 – 6:30 p.m. The exhibit brings together works of art, weapons, and other artifacts from the Revolutionary War to explore the history surrounding a rare eyewitness painting of the Continental Army, which was discovered by the Museum’s curators. In the watercolor, the tents are the Rhode Island regiment can be seen, denoted by the anchor symbol on a colonnade. In 1782, the reigment included nine companies, two of which were composed entirely of African American and Native American soldiers. Most regiments in the Continental Army included far fewer soldiers of color. The limited-run exhibit is on display through Feb. 19.

About the Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution explores the dynamic story of the American Revolution using its rich collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, letters, diaries, and works of art. Immersive galleries, theater experiences, and recreated historical environments bring to life the events, people, and ideals of our nation’s founding and engage people in the history and continuing relevance of the American Revolution. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, Carpenters’ Hall, and Franklin Court, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.