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Based on Republic and Empire, which was virtually the first attempt at an imperial history of the American Revolution, this lecture will explore the Revolution from the perspective of the colonies that did not rebel in 1776.*

Based on Republic and Empire, which was virtually the first attempt at an imperial history of the American Revolution, this lecture will explore the Revolution from the perspective of the colonies that did not rebel in 1776.*

The Forsaken Founder Scott S Greenberger by Fraunces Tavern Museum

Learn how rum impacted the American Revolution with Jordan B. Smith! This talk, building on Jordan’s 2025 book, The Invention of Rum: Creating the Quintessential Atlantic Commodity, presents a new story of how rum was invented, made, sold, and consumed in the Atlantic world, and how those developments intersected with the American Revolution. We will explore how rum revolutionized the Atlantic world, then home in on various moments in the leadup, course, and aftermath of the American Revolution when the market for—and meanings embedded within—rum shaped the age of revolutions.

Did we need a Declaration? What does the text tell us about the signers? Was the Declaration a success? What has been its appeal and its influence abroad and at home over the last 250 years? Judge Douglas Ginsberg explores these questions at this special Liberty 250® lecture. Judge Douglas Ginsburg is known for his civics work. He produced a film for PBS in July 2023 on the Declaration of Independence and a three-part series on the U.S. Constitution. This special 250th lecture was recorded as part of Fraunces Tavern Museum's Evening Lecture series on Thursday, May 14, 2026. *The views of the speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc. or its Fraunces Tavern® Museum.

Join historian Robert Watson for this talk exploring some of the fun and intriguing stories behind the stories as well as common myths and misconceptions about both remarkable events.* This special 250th lecture was recorded as part of Fraunces Tavern Museum's Evening Lecture series on Monday, March 9th, 2026. *The views of the speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc. or its Fraunces Tavern® Museum.

Join author Renee Witterstaetter as she presents on her book, Cloaked Crusader: George Washington in Comics and Pop Culture, looking at the visage of Washington in everything from tavern signs to comic books to movies, over the past 250 years.* This special 250th lecture was recorded as part of Fraunces Tavern Museum's Evening Lecture series on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026. *The views of the speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc. or its Fraunces Tavern® Museum.

On Monday, January 26, 2026, SRNY commemorated the birthday of Frederick Samuel Tallmadge, the second President of the Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc., whose generosity enabled the Society to acquire Fraunces Tavern in 1904. Our featured speaker was Kevin Draper,* historian and co-founder of New York Historical Tours, who spoke on the subject of the American Revolution in the greater New York region in 1776. This 250th lecture is featured in coordination with our special exhibit commemorating the semiquincentennial, Path to Liberty: The Emergence of a Nation. Kevin Draper is a sought-after New York City Historian and Co-Founder of New York Historical Tours. An impassioned native New Yorker, Kevin actively brings to life the incredible and inspiring stories that have made New York the most exciting and influential city in the world. For over fifteen years Kevin has provided top-rated first class tours and New York City experiences to locals and visitors from all over the globe. His dynamic knowledge, professionalism and gift for storytelling have awarded him consistent five-star reviews, Trip Advisors Certificate of Excellence year after year and won the accolades of the most discriminating clientele. Kevin has led historical talks and lectures for top universities and Fortune 500 companies and is a respected historical consultant for major media and publications including CBS, ABC, Bloomberg, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. *The views of the speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc. or its Fraunces Tavern® Museum.

How can the American Revolution be understood as a global war? How were the war’s effects felt at home and abroad? In this virtual interview conversation with John Ferling*, author of Shots Heard Round the World: America, Britain, and Europe in the Revolutionary War., we discuss the subjects of Ferling’s most recent book and the broader scope of the Revolutionary War, followed by an audience Q&A. Following a 40-year teaching career, John Ferling retired from teaching and is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of West Georgia. He wrote and published throughout his career and is the author of 16 books, mostly dealing with the American Revolution and the War of Independence. This talk was recorded as part of Fraunces Tavern Museum's Evening Lecture series on Monday, December 8, 2025. *The views of the speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc. or its Fraunces Tavern® Museum.

Join author Michael Cecere* for a lecture in our special 250th series. This talk covers important events in 1775 across all of the thirteen colonies, with a special emphasis on the Middle Colonies and New York. This special 250th lecture was recorded as part of Fraunces Tavern Museum's Evening Lecture series on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. *The views of the speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc. or its Fraunces Tavern® Museum.

Spies, espionage, and intelligence operations during the American Revolution have long captured the public's imagination, thanks in part to popular books and television series. While these dramatizations highlight a captivating aspect of the Revolutionary War, they often blur the line between fact and fiction. Join historian Charles Dewey to uncover the real stories of the men and women—soldiers and civilians alike—who risked or sacrificed their lives for the cause.* This special 250th lecture was recorded as part of Fraunces Tavern Museum's Evening Lecture series on Monday, August 11, 2025. *The views of the speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc. or its Fraunces Tavern® Museum.

It is a truism that Lower Manhattan has been America's town square since its founding in 1524, even though its history is much deeper. Virtually every aspect of global, local and national significance can be in some manner traced to this Downtown stage. Some have been forgotten and some have been transformative in our culture and many have fallen between. This is both a project in urban archaeology and a way of describing the city over time. It Happened Here captures the multiple and overlapping stories that are woven throughout our city's life. It embraces America's history as the museums, monuments and memorials that dot its streetscape do. It highlights many of the concerns, events, and places that the people who lived, fought, worked and visited here thought were important at their moment in time. On July 4, 2025, Fraunces Tavern Museum hosted an afternoon of special programming exploring 18th century New York. Hear from speakers* on topics including the Museum's special 250th exhibition, Path to Liberty: The Emergence of a Nation, as we join cultureNOW's IT HAPPENED HERE program to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the founding of New York. *The views of the speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc. or its Fraunces Tavern® Museum.

It is a truism that Lower Manhattan has been America's town square since its founding in 1524, even though its history is much deeper. Virtually every aspect of global, local and national significance can be in some manner traced to this Downtown stage. Some have been forgotten and some have been transformative in our culture and many have fallen between. This is both a project in urban archaeology and a way of describing the city over time. It Happened Here captures the multiple and overlapping stories that are woven throughout our city's life. It embraces America's history as the museums, monuments and memorials that dot its streetscape do. It highlights many of the concerns, events, and places that the people who lived, fought, worked and visited here thought were important at their moment in time. On July 5, 2025, Fraunces Tavern Museum hosted an afternoon of special programming exploring 19th century New York. Hear from speakers* on topics including the Marquis de Lafayette's return to America early in the century, immigration to New York, and the Gilded Age as we join cultureNOW's IT HAPPENED HERE program to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the founding of New York. *The views of the speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc. or its Fraunces Tavern® Museum.

On June 23, Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York, Inc. commemorated the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill with a reception and lecture by Dr. Samuel A. Forman*, author of Dr. Joseph Warren: The Boston Tea Party, Bunker Hill, and the Birth of American Liberty. At the 250th anniversary of the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, we recall the Battle of Bunker Hill, whose carnage and sacrifice set the stage for eight long years of war. What began as a dispute to assert British Constitutional rights within colonial North America, with New England often on the point of controversy, would eventually morph into a new country, with new forms of representative and accountable government. Joseph Warren was an outstanding personality from the early and formative Revolutionary period. A physician, Mason, editorial writer and high Son of Liberty, Warren espoused an aspirational view of what America could and should be. Warren entered the national spotlight as more visible Patriot leaders left for the Continental Congresses in 1774 and 1775. From writing the stirring Suffolk Resolves, to delivering riveting speeches, dispatching Paul Revere on that Midnight Ride, leading the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, and coordinating the Siege of Boston in its earliest phase, Joseph Warren was often at the forefront. When it had become apparent that the dispute with England would be decided by force of arms, Warren became a militia organizer. Declining a medical role for that of a soldier, he fought valiantly at Bunker Hill. By 1776, following the 9-month Siege of Boston, the war would come to New York with a vengeance and with the outcome far from certain. This special 250th lecture was recorded on Tuesday, June 23, 2025. *The views of the speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc. or its Fraunces Tavern® Museum.

Join author Kostya Kennedy for this lecture exploring the dramatic events of April 18 and 19, 1775—the night of Paul Revere’s famous ride. With new insights from archives, family documents, and contemporary accounts, discover how the legendary ride is far more complex than it is usually portrayed.* This special 250th lecture was recorded as part of Fraunces Tavern Museum's Evening Lecture series on Monday, May 5, 2025. *The views of the speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc. or its Fraunces Tavern® Museum.