The Museum turns seven this April! Help us ensure the promise of the American Revolution endures. Support Our Mission

Dismiss notification
Image 12022020 Kidswithvirtualmuseum Virtualmuseum

Great Gift for History Lovers or Those Looking to Learn More

Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift idea for the history-lover in your life or want to treat yourself as a life-long learner? A new live, interactive virtual course from the Museum of the American Revolution will immerse you in the origins, diverse people, and complex events of the American Revolution—all safely from home. The four-class course, The American Revolution 101: A Historical Seminar, takes place on Tuesday evenings from January 5 – 26, 2021 from 7 – 8:30 p.m.

The seminar, taught by the Museum’s Manager of Gallery Interpretation Dr. Tyler Putman, provides an engaging introduction to the ideas that sparked America’s ongoing democratic experiment, an up-close look at authentic artifacts in the Museum’s collection, and an exploration of different historical arguments about the Revolution. Along the way, participants will learn the stories of real people from the Revolutionary era.

Through discussion, readings, and tours of the Virtual Museum, this dynamic course explores the four main questions that are at the heart of the Museum’s telling of the Revolutionary story: How did people become Revolutionaries? How did the Revolution survive its darkest hour? How revolutionary was the war? What kind of nation did the Revolution create?  

Seminar registration is $100 ($80 for Museum Members). Register here. Class capacity is limited to 15 to facilitate conversation. Participants will need an internet connection, microphone, and webcam, and will receive complementary readings and resources. No prior history knowledge necessary.

Sessions Include:

The Road to Independence

Tuesday, January 5, 2021 from 7 – 8:30 p.m.

How did people become Revolutionaries? Discover how the American Colonists – most of them content and even proud British subjects – became Revolutionaries as the roots of rebellion took hold. Considers how, in just over a decade, many people living in the American colonies changed their minds about the nature of society and government and went from loyal subjects of a monarchy to avid supporters of a new style of government and creators of a republic.

The Darkest Hour
Tuesday, January 12, 2021 from 7 – 8:30 p.m.

How did the Revolution survive its darkest hour? The Revolution had many dark days. Between 1776 and 1778, it was repeatedly on the brink of failure. What kept it going? Explore how a fragile revolution with only limited popular support survived a massive British onslaught.

A Revolutionary War
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from 7 – 8:30 p.m.

How revolutionary was the war? For some people, the Revolutionary War changed everything. It transformed them from subjects to voting citizens and opened new economic and social opportunities. But for others, the broader ideas of the Revolution took much longer to come to fruition. Explore the final years of the Revolutionary War from the perspectives of the diverse people who lived through it.

A New Nation
Tuesday, January 26, 2021 from 7 – 8:30 p.m.

What kind of nation did the Revolution create? The Revolutionaries succeeded in gaining independence, but then came the immense task of creating a nation founded on the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Discover how people in the new United States thought about their country. What compromises did some of them make? Who won and who lost? How does the Revolution continue to shape our country and the world?

About Dr. Tyler Rudd Putman

Dr. Tyler Rudd Putman is the Manager of Gallery Interpretation at the Museum of the American Revolution. He holds a PhD and MA in American History, an MA in American Material Culture, and a BA in Anthropology. His background includes work in public archaeology, the antiques trade, historical tailoring, and tall ship sailing. He first worked for the Museum as part of the First Oval Office Project in 2013.

About Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.