
On Monday, May 11, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Henrietta Hankin Branch Library is pleased to present a special screening of highlights from the fascinating new PBS documentary, The American Revolution a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. Our screening will offer a sweeping overview of the series—illuminating the central themes of the American Revolution and inspiring reflection on the ideas, struggles, and ideals that continue to define the American story.
The screening will be followed by an engaging and thought-provoking panel discussion. Our guest panelists will include Jeffrey LaMonica, MA, M. Phil. and Kevin Cahill, Ph. D., who are both professors of history at Delaware County Community College; as well as Rogers M. Smith, Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania where he taught from 2001 to 2022.
Jeffrey LaMonica has published work on topics that include the US Army in World War I, Cold War Diplomacy, and Italian Military History. Professor LaMonica’s interests in the American Revolution include Pennsylvania Militia in the 1777 Philadelphia Campaign and Privateers of the Cape May Navy. Kevin Cahill earned his MA. from Villanova and a Ph.D. from West Virginia University (both in history) and has been a professor of American history at DCCC since 2000. Before that he served as a Seasonal Ranger at the Valley Forge National Park where he engaged in research, leading tours and creating living history demonstrations. Rogers M. Smith is the author or co-author of many articles and nine books. His book Civic Ideals: Conflicting Visions of Citizenship in U.S. History (1997) received six best book prizes and was a finalist for the 1998 Pulitzer Prize in History. Smith also received 5 teaching prizes from Yale and the University of Pennsylvania for both undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring. He is the co-founder of the Teachers Institute of Philadelphia and the founding director of Penn’s Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy. We are most honored to have these seasoned historians on our discussion panel.
Please join us for this important and timely event as we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation. There will be light refreshments and time at the end of the presentation for questions and answers. Registration is required. To register, visit https://ccls.libcal.com/event/13235010 or call the library at 610-344-4196. Henrietta Hankin Library supports PA Forward Civic and Social Literacy.
Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
The mission of the Chester County and Henrietta Hankin Branch Libraries is to provide informational, educational and cultural services to the residents of Chester County so that they may be lifelong learners. The Henrietta Hankin Branch Library is located at 215 Windgate Drive, Chester Springs, PA. For hours or more information, visit our website at www.chescolibraries.org.
