CEO'S Corner

Many of us take for granted the freedoms we enjoy every day, such as reading a newspaper, attending a public meeting, or worshipping in the way we choose. We often forget how these freedoms were won and the sacrifices made to secure the ideals embodied in our founding documents. The Revolutionary generation made possible the precious gift of liberty; a gift that has been heroically defended and protected throughout the course of our nation’s history.

To get a better sense of exactly how much Americans know about their history, in 2009, The American Revolution Center commissioned the first national survey assessing adult knowledge of the American Revolution. The results reveal that while many Americans lack an even basic understanding of the history and ideas that form the bedrock of our nation, the majority are eager to learn more. These findings serve as a call-to-action, underscoring the urgent need to better inform our citizenry about the dramatic history and powerful ideas that have sustained our nation through its darkest hours and inspired our greatest achievements.

The American Revolution Center is answering the call by working to establish the first national museum to tell the entire story of the American Revolution and its ongoing legacy. The Museum of the American Revolution will house a significant collection of art, objects, manuscripts and printed works from the Revolutionary-era. Through the Museum and our website, we will work to convey the unique and inspiring history of our nation, never forgetting the great cost at which our freedom was won and ever-mindful of how quickly it can be lost if we choose to live in ignorance.

Bruce Cole, President and CEO