Inaugural “Gerry Lenfest Spirit of the American Revolution Award” Presented to Author David McCullough

Philadelphia, PA, September 21, 2016 — The Museum of the American Revolution announced the establishment of the Gerry Lenfest Spirit of the American Revolution Award with the presentation of the inaugural award to Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough at a private event on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

In keeping with the Museum’s mission, Museum Board Chairman H.F. (Gerry) Lenfest created the award to celebrate the importance of public knowledge of American history, especially history related to the creation, evolution, and preservation of the core ideas of American democracy that were established during American Revolution. The award carries a grant of $25,000, which Lenfest endowed with a gift of $500,000 to continue the award for years to come. 

“David McCullough’s books have led a revival of interest in American history,” said Lenfest. “He has been a major force in keeping alive the bold spirit of the American Revolution and has given an entire generation a new appreciation of the great responsibility of liberty. In many ways, David has been an inspiration for me and my leadership of the Museum—to preserve and teach the lessons of our nation’s founding for future generations.”

McCullough is the author of 1776, John Adams, Truman, and other acclaimed historical works. He has been a stalwart supporter of the Museum and led the Museum’s first board of scholars.

Lenfest, along with fellow Museum board member David Acton (McCullough’s Yale University classmate and longtime friend), presented the award to McCullough as part of a celebration of Lenfest’s extraordinary ten years of service as Chairman of the Museum’s Board of Directors on Sept. 20.

The event was held in the new Museum building, which was dedicated to Lenfest and his wife Marguerite at a public event on Sept. 15. The Museum officially opens to the public on April 19, 2017.

Lenfest has served as Board Chairman since 2005 and has contributed $50 million in matching grants toward the Museum’s $150 million campaign. The Museum has now received over $141 million from supporters across every state in the nation.

“For more than a decade, Gerry has been a passionate advocate for this Museum because he believes in its mission to honor the legacy of this nation’s founding,” Michael Quinn, President and CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution. “He envisioned this award as a way to celebrate and encourage others to engage in similar work. His patriotic dedication to our nation and his generosity truly know no bounds.”

The Gerry Lenfest Spirit of the American Revolution Award recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the spirit of the American Revolution by advancing public awareness and understanding of history and of its relevance in the ongoing American experiment in constitutional democracy.

The Lenfest Award may be given to an individual or to an organization active in a broad range of fields such as history, education, film-making, writing, media, and philanthropy. The recipient’s work should be noteworthy for fostering public understanding of the historical origins, development, purposes, and principles of the American nation and the relevance of this history in the current civic life of the nation.

Nominations are accepted from all sources and should be sent by postal mail to the Museum of the American Revolution, ATT: Lenfest Award (101 S. Third Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106). The Museum of the American Revolution will undertake a confidential assessment of all nominees and will select an award recipient.

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About David McCullough
Called “one of America’s greatest living writers” by the Washington Post, David McCullough has twice received the Pulitzer Prize, for Truman and John Adams, and twice received the National Book Award, for The Path Between the Seas and Mornings on Horseback. His other acclaimed books include The Greater Journey, 1776, Brave Companions, The Johnstown Flood, The Great Bridge, and The Wright Brothers. McCullough’s books have never gone out of print, and have been published in 19 languages. According to the citation accompanying his honorary degree from Yale, “As an historian, he paints with words, giving us pictures of the American people that live, breathe, and above all, confront the fundamental issues of courage, achievement, and moral character.” He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including more than 50 honorary degrees and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award. In 2013, in his honor, the city of Pittsburgh, his hometown, renamed its landmark 16th Street Bridge over the Allegheny River the David McCullough Bridge. For more information, visit www.DavidMcCullough.com.

About Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution, which opens in the heart of historic Philadelphia on April 19, 2017, will explore the dynamic story of the American Revolution using its expansive collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art. Immersive galleries, dynamic theaters, and recreated environments will 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 will serve 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.