These symposia on the Revolutionary War are sponsored by Emerging Revolutionary War and Gadsby's Tavern Museum.

Learn more about Emerging Revolutionary War (ERW), which serves as a public history-oriented platform dedicated to sharing original scholarship and discussion on the American Revolution and the historical time periods that bookend the war.

Originally presented May 22, 2021

In preparation for the 250th anniversary of 1776, public historians share their research into this turbulent time during a one-day symposium in partnership with Emerging Revolutionary War. Gadsby’s Tavern Museum highlights the complexity of early America, but these challenges and uncertainties were rooted in what transpired before and during the Revolutionary War. 

Emerging Revolutionary War and Gadsby's Tavern Museum presents Hindsight is 2020: Misconceptions of the Revolution. "Disaffected and Dangerous Persons: Loyalists in the Mid-Atlantic" was presented by Travis Shaw. Mr. Shaw is currently the Director of Education for the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area and has nearly two decades of experience in the fields of archaeology, preservation, and museum education.

The play list includes six videos, with five speakers and a panel discussion.

• Loyalist Resistance in the Mid-Atlantic
• Rev War from the Bottom Up: Southern Theater Misconceptions
• Drunk Hessians and Other Myths of the Ten Crucial Days
• African Americans Serving in the Continental Army
• General John Sullivan and the Battle of Brandywine
• Rev War Symposium Panel Discussion

Originally presented  September 28, 2019

This three-part symposium is available for viewing on C-Span.

Boston and the Road to Revolution, 1770-1775:  Historian, park ranger, and author Phillip Greenwalt gave an illustrated talk on Boston’s role in the origins of the Revolutionary War. Mr. Greenwalt organized his talk around three pivotal events: the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party and the Battles of Lexington and Concord. This talk is a part of a symposium co-hosted by the “Emerging Revolutionary War” blog, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and the Lyceum of Alexandria, Virginia.

Revolutionary War Era Clothing and Tailors:  Scholar and curator Katherine Egner Gruber used images to describe the significance of tailors in 18th century Alexandria, Virginia. Examining the account book of tailor William Carlin, who was active between 1763 and 1782, Gruber argued that men’s clothing was important in reflecting meaningful moments in citizen’s lives and helped prepare the community for revolution. The “Emerging Revolutionary War” blog, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and the Lyceum of Alexandria, Virginia co-hosted this event. 

Origins of the American Revolution: This is the closing session from a symposium on the first annual Emerging Revolutionary War symposium. A panel of historians summarized their thoughts from the day and discuss various aspects of the years leading up to the Revolutionary War. The “Emerging Revolutionary War” blog, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and the Lyceum of Alexandria, Virginia co-hosted this event.