Kick off America’s 250th birthday celebrations on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island with preview screenings of “The American Revolution,” the new documentary from filmmakers Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, and a special family engagement event featuring quilting activities.
“Threads of Freedom: Quilting America’s Story” will explore the vital role women and quilting played in stitching together the country’s history from the Revolutionary War through today.
Presented by Nebraska Public Media and the Stuhr Museum, 3133 US Highway 34 in Grand Island, this free open-house-style event from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. includes museum admission and previews of the film. While the event is free, registration is encouraged at NebraskaPublicMedia.org/americanrevolution.
Film previews will be shown at 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m. or 1:15 p.m. Each screening is identical and will be followed by a talkback with Susan Long, an American history lecturer from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, who will bring these pivotal moments to life.
Guests of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in a hands-on quilting workshop, contributing to the creation of a community quilt in honor of America 250.
A pop-up exhibit will also showcase treasured quilts from the Stuhr Museum’s collection.
Attendees will discover – whether through craft, conversation or inspiration – a renewed appreciation for the many threads of history woven together to create America’s story.
Film excerpts will be shown with open captions, and the film talkback will have ASL interpretation.
“The American Revolution” will premiere on Nebraska Public Media at 7 p.m. CT, Sunday, Nov. 16.
The six-part, 12-hour television series on America’s founding struggle will present the story of the men and women of the Revolutionary generation, their humanity in victory and defeat and the crisis that they lived through.
By weaving together accounts of American political leaders and their British counterparts with the perspectives of the so-called ordinary people who waged and witnessed war, “The American Revolution” is an expansive, evenhanded look at the virtues and the contradictions in the fight for independence and the birth of the United States.
For more information about the upcoming film and Nebraska Public Media community engagement events in celebration of America 250 visit NebraskaPublicMedia.org/americanrevolution.
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.
