Supporting scholarship and promoting popular understanding of the American Revolution is central to the work of the American Revolution Institute. The Institute welcomes distinguished scholars and authors to share their insights and discuss their latest research with the public at Anderson House through lectures, author's talks and panel discussions. The Institute also hosts a variety of other historical programs throughout the year, including our Lunch Bite object talks, battlefield tours, special Anderson House tour programs and other events. Many of the events we offer are free.
June 2024
Lunch Bite—An 1830s Model of HMS Roebuck
Museum Collections and Operations Manager Paul Newman discusses an 1830s model of HMS Roebuck, a forty-four-gun British frigate that saw extensive service during the American Revolutionary War. Launched in 1774, the Roebuck found itself performing blockade duty on the Delaware River as early as 1775. The Roebuck later patrolled off Long Island and took part in the attacks on Forts Mercer and Mifflin and the siege of Charleston, South Carolina, before it returned to Great Britain in 1781. This presentation…
Find out more »September 2024
Lunch Bite—A Portrait of Andrew Wallace, the “Rescuer of Lafayette” at Brandywine
Historical Programs Manager Andrew Outten discusses a portrait of Revolutionary War veteran Andrew Wallace of the Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment, painted by John Neagle in 1831. According to his 1833 pension letter and other contemporary accounts, Wallace had a seemingly fascinating career throughout the Revolution. Having allegedly served as a sergeant from 1776 through the end of the war, Wallace claimed to have participated in nearly every major battle and campaign, along with carrying out other heroic feats such as aiding…
Find out more »November 2024
Lunch Bite—A 1780s Chinese Porcelain Punch Bowl Depicting the Battle of the Saintes
The Institute’s museum collections and operations manager, Paul Newman, for a Lunch Bite object talk highlighting a recent acquisition for our museum collections: a Chinese porcelain punch bowl depicting the Battle of the Saintes. Produced around 1783, the punch bowl was manufactured for the British market to commemorate the Royal Navy’s victory over the French fleet at the Battle of the Saintes that occurred on April 9-12, 1782. The presentation will explore the bowl’s richly detailed depiction of the battle,…
Find out more »December 2024
Lunch Bite—A Portrait Miniature of the Marquis de Lafayette Painted During the Farewell Tour
The marquis de Lafayette’s farewell tour of the United States produced a staggering number of images of the general, from original oil portraits commissioned by government entities and wealthy individuals to prints mass produced for sale at public events. One of the lesser-known original works of art created during the tour is a watercolor portrait miniature of Lafayette painted by Charles Fraser during the general’s visit to Charleston, South Carolina, in March 1825. In the portrait Lafayette wears a distinctive…
Find out more »February 2025
Lunch Bite—The Orderly Book of Edmund Bancroft from September-December 1775
The Institute’s library director, Thomas Lannon, discusses the orderly book of Edmund Bancroft. Initially a non-commissioned officer in Col. William Prescott’s Regiment from May-December 1775, Edmund Bancroft was likely a participant at the Battle of Bunker Hill before becoming an ensign in the Seventh Continental Infantry in 1776. He eventually became a first lieutenant in the Fifteenth Massachusetts Regiment before dying in service. Although his orderly book was not kept during a period of concentrated military action, Bancroft made record…
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