Ray Halbritter, Leader of the Oneida Indian Nation, Joins Museum President and CEO Dr. R. Scott Stephenson for AmRev360 Episode

Episode Explores Halbritter’s Role in Campaign to Rename the NFL's Washington Football Team, as well as Reflections on Mascots, Monuments, and More

On the heels of the successful campaign to retire the former name and mascot of the NFL’s Washington Football Team, Ray Halbritter joined the Museum of the American Revolution for a virtual conversation about his role in leading the “Change the Mascot” movement. The conversation also explored the history of the Oneida Indian Nation, the difference between celebration and commemoration, and the importance of a diverse, nuanced telling of our nation’s history.
 

Titled “Mascots, Monuments, and Memory,” the 30-minute conversation between Halbritter, who is the Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Nation Enterprises CEO as well as a Museum Board Member, and Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, Museum President and CEO, aired on the Museum’s Facebook page as a new episode in the Museum’s free web series AmRev360.

Halbritter previously spoke at the Museum’s opening ceremony in 2017, participated in panel discussions as part of the Museum’s Indigenous Peoples Celebrations in 2017 and 2018, and was interviewed as part of a CBS Sunday Morning story on the Museum’s “inclusive, warts-and-all telling of the American Revolution.”

When the Museum reopens, visitors can explore an immersive multimedia gallery that tells the story of the Oneida Indian Nation’s role in the Revolutionary War, featuring figures representing Oneida men and women as they debate whether to support the cause of American Independence. In the meantime, the gallery is available virtually through the Museum’s free Virtual Museum Tour.

AmRev360 features lively virtual conversations between Stephenson and a broad slate of dynamic guests, including authors, actors, community leaders, and more. All conversations are free and are released on the Museum’s website and social media channels.

Previous episodes include:

• Conservation and Symbols of Revolutionary War Flags with textile conservator Virginia Whelan
• The Boston Massacre 250th and Teaching Digital History with historian Dr. Serena Zabin and Dr. Austin Mason at Carleton College, along with students Lydia Symchych (Carleton '18) and Max Bremer (Carleton '20).
• History Has Its Eyes on Us with Yale University historian and Hamilton expert Dr. Joanne Freeman and Chicago-based actor and playwright Paul Oakley Stovall, who portrays George Washington in the national tour of Hamilton.

Upcoming conversations will cover topics ranging from reviving the tastes of Revolutionary America and the little-known history of women and free people of color voting in early America.

About Ray Halbritter
Ray Halbritter is the Nation Representative of the Oneida Indian Nation and the Chief Executive Officer of its enterprises, leading the Oneida people to an economic and cultural renaissance that has been hailed as a national model of success. With Halbritter at the helm, the Oneida Nation became the first American Indian government in 1979 to offer gaming operations on sovereign land — one of many prescient moves that positioned the Oneida people to build what would become a world-class entertainment and gaming facility in the heart of the Northeast. Halbritter has instilled in the Oneida’s business enterprises a sense of cultural investment, making sure that revenues are invested in health care, schools and services for Oneida members, as well as in institutions that will help protect the Oneida’s heritage. The Oneida Nation donated $10 million to the Museum in 2012.

About Dr. R. Scott Stephenson
Dr. R. Scott Stephenson’s broad public history experience spans nearly three decades and has been marked by public and professional acclaim for his creative and innovative approaches to engaging audiences. He has developed and collaborated on exhibits, films, and interpretive programs for numerous historical sites and organizations including Colonial Williamsburg, the Smithsonian, the Canadian War Museum, the National Park Service, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the Heinz History Center, and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. From 2007-2018, Stephenson led the development of the Museum of the American Revolution’s award-winning exhibitions, multimedia experiences and educational programming, as well as overseeing the care and expansion of its rich collection of art and artifacts. He served as a key member of the senior leadership team that raised $173 million to build and open the Museum. In November 2018, Stephenson was named President and CEO.

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.