The American Revolution Institute appears at national and state and conferences, and holds one-day workshops on the American Revolution at historic sites around the country, providing opportunities for teachers to expand their knowledge of the American Revolution, discuss strategies for teaching the subject with historians and fellow educators, and explore the Institute’s classroom resources. Instruction focuses on a specific theme related to the American Revolution, often connected to the history of the region where the workshop is held.
Themes typically relate to the American Revolution Institute’s Plan of Instruction on the American Revolution, which integrates effectively with the United States history standards in most states. Specific themes relate to the shaping of the Revolution, the Revolutionary War, the Revolutionary Republic, or the Legacy of the Revolution and address the constructive accomplishments of the American Revolution, usually in a manner closely tied to the history of the state or region where the workshop is held.
Each workshop consists of a lecture relative to the chosen theme delivered by a scholar associated with the Institute, presentations by Institute staff on classroom resources and featured library and museum collection items, and a guided tour of the host site connecting local history to the themes explored in the workshop. American Revolution Institute workshops are free to educators. Participating teachers receive confirmation of professional development hours.
The Institute also participates in annual conferences sponsored by national and state organizations involved with American history education, including the National Conference for the Social Studies and the National Council for History Education, and their regional and state affiliates. Registration, fees, and professional development credits for attending these events are managed by the respective organizations.
Contact us if you are interested in a workshop for your school district, state, or region during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Upcoming Events:
Underrepresented Revolutionary Voices and E Pluribus Unum
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) 104th Annual Conference
November 22-24, 2024, Boston, MA
After 250 years, realizing the high ideals promised to all Americans by the Revolution remains a work in progress. Learn how to incorporate primary source-based narratives from underrepresented segments of the revolutionary generation with classroom lessons about Oneida, Black, and female Americans developed by our talented master teachers. NCSS Conference link.
“The American Cause… Is the Cause of Liberty”
Free Workshop for South Carolina Teachers
January 6, 2025, Georgetown, SC
Highlights include scholarship from the collections of the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati, including: The Personal and Private Lives of Henry Laurens, Southern Heroines in the Revolution, and The Saga and Legacy of Andrew Wallace, a Revolutionary War Veteran and the “Rescuer of Lafayette.” Lesson plans featuring our collections will also be presented by four of our ARI master teachers from South Carolina on: John Laurens, The Stamp Act and the Charles Town, South Carolina, Sons of Liberty, and The Siege of Charleston. Multi-disciplinary resources align with the 2019 South Carolina Social Studies College- and Career-Ready Standards. Continental breakfast and lunch provided along with admission to the Hopsewee Plantation Museum Experience and Historical Landmark House Tour. Funding provided by the Society of the Cincinnati of the State of South Carolina. Download PDF flyer with details and schedule HERE.
Revolutionary Reflections: Lafayette and the Legacy of the American Revolution
Free Workshop for Virginia Teachers
February 8, 2025, Richmond, VA
Join us at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture to learn about the commitment of the marquis de Lafayette to universal human rights and his focus on empowering women, free and enslaved Black Americans, American Indians, and oppressed religious communities. The life and work of Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier was a testimony to the realization of Enlightenment principles in light of the legacy and achievements of the American Revolution: national independence, the establishment of a republic dedicated to the interests of ordinary people, a national identity based upon a collective narrative, and a free society based upon the basis of law and the ideals of liberty, equality, natural and civil rights, and responsible citizenship. Featured speaker Dr. Iris de Rode will present “Military Enlightenment on the Ground: the French and American Military Leaders that Secured American Independence.” Explore ARI lessons and primary source materials from America’s War for Independence with Virginia master teacher Anne Walker and our talented in-house team. Multi-disciplinary resources align with Virginia’s 2023 Standards of Learning for History & Social Science. Continental breakfast and lunch provided along with admission to the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and a special collections viewing. Funding provided by the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Virginia. Download PDF flyer with details and schedule HERE. Registration link HERE.
Revolutionary Roots in St. Louis: The Battles of San Carlos and Cohokia & Lafayette’s Legacy
National Council for History Education (NCHE) 35th Annual Conference
March 20-22, 2025, St. Louis, MO
Explore the American Revolution’s local ties to St. Louis, including the 1780 battles of Fort San Carlos and Cahokia, and the 1825 legacy of the marquis de Lafayette. Investigate the region’s Franco-Spanish and Native American influences with a mini-lesson developed by one of our Illinois master teachers featuring our library and museum collections, as well as other lesson content developed by several of our Missouri master teachers. NCHE Conference link.
Recent Events:
Lesser-Known Testimonies from America’s War for Independence
Fairfax County Public Schools Secondary Social Studies In-Service
August 14, 2024, Fairfax, VA
After nearly 250 years, realizing the high ideals promised to all Americans by the Revolution remains a work in progress. Learn how to incorporate primary source-based narratives from underrepresented segments of the revolutionary generation including the Oneida nation, the Quaker community, and the all-Black Second Company of the Fourth Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Army.
For more information, contact:
Stacia Smith
Director of Education
ssmith@societyofthecincinnati.org
202.785.2040 x416