Classes, Lectures & Stories of the Revolutionary Era

The Battle of Yorktown – Presented by Dr. Ed Bonniwell

The Battle of Yorktown presentation is the story of the Battle of Yorktown, which effectively ended the Revolutionary war, and is full of mystery and intrigue.  In this presentation you will learn about how Britain’s greatest military tactician and strategist, Lord Cornwallis, came to position himself on the banks of the York River, the strategy of Washington at Yorktown, and the significant contributions made by American General Nathaniel Green.  The presentation chronicles the life of Lord Cornwallis following the American Revolution, and George Washington in the aftermath of the surrender of Yorktown.

Course Objectives

Reflections on Samuel Adams – Presented by Dr. Ed. Bonniwell

Often thought of as America’s Brewmeister, Samuel Adams was a man of great substance and learning. This presentation reveals the life change that occurred in Adams’ thinking. We will see how he extrapolated from scripture the great principles and ideals that found their way into the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. His voice, perhaps more than any other, was the prophetic voice of the American Revolution!

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course students should be able to answer 3 of the following…

1. In 1740 Samuel Adams graduated from Harvard and came under the spell of a great British evangelist named George Whitfield.  How did this forever change his life, turning him into a radical Patriot?
2. Samuel Adams’ innovation of the letters of correspondence throughout the Colonies was a brilliant movement for what great reason?
3. Samuel Adams’ extrapolation of the great principles and ideals that he came to hold regarding freedom are found in what great documents that we now cherish as a nation?
4. Why did Samuel Adams create and fund at his own expense a great Sunday school movement that was non-sectarian employing at his own expense teachers who would be accountable to him?

At the completion of course, students should be able answer at least 3 of the following…

1. In what part of the US Constitution are the Bill of Rights found?
2. What organization or entity grants the rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights?
3. Identify 3 individual rights guaranteed under the Bill of Rights.
4. How many amendments to the US Constitution compose the Bill of Rights?
5. What is a constitutional amendment?

George Washington – Presented by Zachary T. Haines

Upon being asked by the officers of his chapter, Zac reluctantly agreed to assume the role of President George Washington.  Although new in the role, Zac visits K-12 schools dressed as General Washington to educate children about our Founding Fathers, Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and the American Revolution. He believes that America’s history must be preserved and transmitted to future generations.

A Broad Perspective on the Period of the Revolution — Presented by Bob Hill

In his course offerings he addresses a wide range of subjects speaking to the causes of the Revolution, Paul Revere’s ride, and Sybil Ludington’s ride, the life of a Continental Army Soldier, Militiamen, speaking of his clothing, weapons, usual diet, shelter, training for battles, and life at Valley Forge.  He frequently speaks to the alliance with France, as well as the role of African Americans, or Native Americans in the American Revolution.  He wears the Dragoon (Cavalry) Uniform, speaks to the life of the Continental Cavalryman.  He also addresses the land bounties awarded to Revolutionary War Veterans and their migration westward into the Ohio Valley.  He carries very large copies of the Declaration of Independence, sharing it with students and speak-ing to it in its broader parameters.

Course Objectives

At completion of the course, students should be able to answer at least 3 of the following:

1. How debt incurred by England in the French and Indian War led to increased taxation in the colonies and increased friction between the King and his subjects.
2. Who are the “Sons of Liberty?”
3. Name at least 3 signers of the Declaration of Independence. How many signers died and had their homes burned by the British?
4. Who was Baron von Steuben?
5. What American victory, and what American diplomat persuaded France to aid America in its War for Independence?
6. Who offered freedom to former slaves if they enlisted and served time in their Army?

Unknown Heroes, John Glover and the Marblehead Regiment – Mark Holland

If there is a story that needs to be told, it’s that of John Glover and his Marblehead regiment. These heroic, brave men saved the American Revolution in 1776 not once, but THREE times! This presentation will dive into these accounts and give exciting details on what makes these men heroes!

The Ten Crucial Days: Washington crossing the Delaware and the Battles of Trenton and Princeton – Dan Schmitz

 “These are the times that try men’s souls,” wrote Thomas Paine in American Crisis on December 19, 1776. Paine’s immortal words perfectly sum up the state of the Revolution at the end of 1776. The crisis was simple; George Washington’s army had been beaten and driven from Long Island, New York was in British hands, and many of his troop’s enlistments would expire at the end of the year. After a long retreat across New Jersey, the only thing holding the British at bay was winter, and the Delaware River. The Revolution tottered on the brink of failure.

Course Objective

At completion of the course, students should be able to answer the following:

1. The learner will understand events which led to The First Battle of Trenton and how those events led to the next battle.
2. The learner will understand The Second Battle of Trenton and how those events led to the next battle of the war.
3. The learner will understand the Battle of Princeton and how the events became to be known as the Ten Crucial Days of the Revolutionary War. December 25, 1776-January 3, 1777

African Americans in the American Revolution– Mark Holland

The story of how the original thirteen American Colonies broke away from Great Britain and formed the United States.  This story is well known.  Less well known is how African-Americans felt and what they did during the War of Independence. In this presentation you’ll learn about the difficult decisions faced by African Americans, the heroic first all-black continental regiment, and a slave turned spy.

Washington’s Commander in Chief Guards – Mark Holland

With the war about to change no longer would he be commanding an army maintaining a static siege line, but a mobile army, marching to meet the next British threat. With movement came additional dangers, there were a number of Tories spread over the countryside that were determined to assist the British and of course there was the British Army itself. Therefore, a surprise raid on his headquarters was a serious possibility. To counter that possibility Washington decided to form a personal guard. This presentation will discuss the attempted mutiny, the recreation of the unit, and their exploits in various battles.

Marquis de Lafayette, the Lancelot of the American Revolution – Mark Holland

Born into an ancient family of French warriors, the Marquis de Lafayette inherited a desire for adventure!  When the time came to prove his mettle, it was not at the service of France, but the rebellious American colonies. This presentation will discuss what Lafayette gave up, his relation-ships, especially with Washington, and his accomplishments on the battlefield.

John Laurens, The Abolitionist and Soldier – Mark Holland

In the words of George Washington about John Laurens, “that it is my firm belief his merits & worth richly entitle him to the whole picture: no man possessed more of the amor patria—in a word, he had not a fault that I ever could discover…” This presentation discusses John Laurens as part of Washington’s inner circle or “military family”, his plan for to recruit slaves from the southern states into regiments for the Continental Army and emancipate them in return for their military service, and his heroic nature.

Nathaniel Greene, Forgotten Hero and Youngest Brigadier General – Mark Holland

One of the most effective American generals of the War for Independence, Rhode Island’s Nathaniel Greene was one of those extraordinary figures who excelled as a commander despite having no formal military training or experience. This presentation will give details of Greene’s ups and downs and how he became one of the Revolutions greatest heroes.

Fascinating “did you knows” of the American Revolution – Mark Holland

Stories such as tales of the 16-year-old Virginia Giant who fought for the Continentals, what Washington’s teeth were really made of, the deadliest hurricane in recorded history, the first “national anthem” before the Star Spangled Banner, and many more fascinating stories and “did you knows about the American Revolution!

Washington’s Spy Ring, The Culper Spy Ring – Mark Holland

British forces occupied New York in August 1776, and the city would remain a British strong-hold and a major naval base for the duration of the Revolutionary War. Though getting information from New York on British troop movements and other plans was critical to General George Washington, commander of the Continental Army, there was simply no reliable intelligence network that existed on the Patriot side at that time. That changed in 1778, when a young cavalry officer named Benjamin Tallmadge established a small group of trustworthy men and women from his hometown of Setauket, Long Island. Known as the Culper Spy Ring, Tallmadge’s homegrown network would become the most effective of any intelligence-gathering operation on either side during the Revolutionary War.

The Captain Howard Miller Flag Collection – Colonel Don McGraw

The flag collection consists of 70 flags collected by the late Captain Miller and represent the history of the flags and banners that have flown over the United States since its earliest days as a British Colony.  The story of each flag is told and anecdotes from the period of its use are related by Col. McGraw.