Explore the Museum's historic Old City neighborhood and iconic Revolutionary-era sites on daily walking tours. Info & Tickets

Dismiss notification
Inside of the Revolutionary Generation gallery in the Museum of the American Revolution featuring photographs of the revolutionary generation

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 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 from the comfort of home. The five-class course, The American Revolution 101: A Historical Seminar, takes place on Thursday evenings, January 5, 12, 19, 26, and February 2, 2023, from 7 – 8:30 p.m.

The seminar, taught by the Museum’s Senior 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 our 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 $200 ($150 for Museum Members). Register here. Participants will need access to Zoom meeting software, an internet connection, microphone, and webcam, and will receive complementary readings and resources. Sessions will be recorded for the benefit of participants who miss a session due to a conflict. For questions, please contact Dr. Tyler Putman at [email protected].

Sessions Include:

What is the American Revolution?
Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 7 – 8:30 p.m.

What do we mean when we talk about the American Revolution? How is it different than the Revolutionary War? In this first class, we'll introduce some of the key ideas, people, and stories that we'll explore in the coming weeks. We will also examine how historians and members of the public have debated and defined the Revolution since before the war was even over. 

The Road to Independence
Thursday, January 12, 2023 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. Consider 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
Thursday, January 19, 2023 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
Thursday, January 26, 2023 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
Thursday, February 2, 2023 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?

 A second seminar, The American Revolution After 1783, will be offered in March 2023 and will explore -- through readings, virtual talks and tours, and class discussion -- how the Revolutionary generation struggled in the years after the war to shape a new country.

About Dr. Tyler Rudd Putman
Dr. Tyler Rudd Putman is the Senior Manager of Gallery Interpretation at the Museum of the American Revolution. He holds a doctorate and master’s degree in American History, a master’s degree in American Material Culture, and a bachelor’s degree 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.