A Living History of the American Revolution
Preserving the past, shaping the future. Yorktown, Virginia is the site of the decisive victory of the American Revolution. Adjacent to the historic Yorktown battlefield, the new American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will become one of the country s definitive destinations for people to learn about our country s greatest story. Eagle-pommel saber, American, 1776 While the museum will be a living testament to our history, it will also be meaningful for our future. It will tell a story that is the foundation of who and what we are; but more than just an account of the birth of this nation, it is the story of visionaries and heroes who can inspire such traits in those who follow, especially our children. This Campaign for Support will enable us to create the most comprehensive, educational and engaging museum imaginable, a living history of the American Revolution, in one of the most significant locations in our fight for independence. Ayuba Suleiman Diallo, by William Hoare, circa 1733 Miniature portrait of General Daniel Morgan
Best we preserve, lest we forget. While most Americans know that the United States of America owes its independence to the Revolutionary War, the details after that become blurry for many. Polls and testing indicate that most Americans don t know the causes of the Revolution, cannot identify the events leading to its outcome, or what the Revolution even means to Americans today. This isn t just unfortunate, it s dangerous. Until we understand the American Revolution and the creation of the republic that changed the course of world history, we cannot fully understand our liberties, our duties as citizens, our place in the world, or even the fragility of it all. The new American Revolution Museum at Yorktown promises preservation of the story on one hand, and a reawakening of its importance on the other. Highland-style flintlock pistol 1790 Wedgwood antislavery medallion Doll, English, circa 1770
Honoring our history by ensuring it lives on in the future. In 1976, the Yorktown Victory Center opened as one of three Virginia visitor centers for the Bicentennial of the American Revolution. Modifications transformed the Victory Center into an accredited museum that includes a Continental Army encampment and a 1780s farm where visitors can interact with costumed historical interpreters. Nearby Jamestown Settlement chronicles the history of America s first permanent English colony, founded in Virginia in 1607. Together, these museums attract a national audience. Nearly 2 million people have visited the Yorktown Victory Center s galleries and livinghistory areas over the past decade. Clearly, it has served its purpose, it has educated, and it has enlightened. But the limitations of the original Yorktown Victory Center building are many. High maintenance costs, lack of space, outmoded technology and more issues made renovation impractical. Quite simply, the design and size of the original museum prevented the Foundation from fully developing its potential to help visitors understand the Revolution, and its impact on our lives and the world. A new facility, designed from the ground up as a state-of-the-art museum, is the most cost-effective solution, and one that will pay dividends for generations. King George III, studio of Allan Ramsay, 18th century 18th-century American-made gorget Portrait of Admiral Lord Richard Howe, late 18th century
The American Revolution the next evolution. The goal of this new museum is bold. But then, so was the story it will tell. The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will be devoted to bringing the entire story of the Revolution to life through gallery exhibits and living history. It will be compelling, it will be relevant, it will be educational, and it will be technologically sophisticated. And it will make history fun. Throughout the planning process, we sought insight from teachers, museum directors, visitors and curators and historians. When complete, the new museum will engage and educate visitors of all ages, support state and national learning standards, and open its resources online to people everywhere. At 80,000 square feet, it will offer expanded galleries, classrooms and visitor services. The education center will have dedicated space for improved programming for students and teachers, providing a facility with resources that children simply do not have in the classroom and immersing them in this important part of their nation s history. Here are the highlights, as planned: Gallery exhibits. Historic artifacts, displays, interactive features, new films and permanent exhibits will create a true connection between visitors and the people of 18thcentury America. Your generous investment will enable the museum to secure essential artifacts and to enhance popular features such as films, interactive technology, immersive environments such as a colonial trading wharf, experiential siege theater and special exhibitions. Outdoor exhibits. This is the next best thing to being there. Because when history is hands-on, then visitors and students minds are switched on. And nowhere at the new museum is history more hands-on than at the two outdoor living-history areas. New funding will enable us to enhance the museum s Continental Army encampment and the Revolution-era farm. It will provide for a dedicated artillery demonstration area where historical interpreters re-create the cannon barrage that French and American troops rained down on the British at Yorktown, as well as create an educational pavilion for visitors. Educational resources. With increased financial support, we can ensure that every new class of students will benefit from the Foundation s award-winning educational resources. This will help elevate the educational preparedness of our nation s youngest citizens, while also better supporting parents and teachers in furthering children s knowledge and interest in the humanities. Increased funding will help us to fulfill our mission to send museum educators to school districts across Virginia, as well as support teacher resources and training, fund scholarships for disadvantaged students to visit the new museum, produce new materials for an online learning center, and develop distance learning opportunities.
A revolutionary opportunity. To underscore the importance of the new American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, the Commonwealth of Virginia has committed to funding the museum s construction through a public-private partnership. Such partnering is nothing new here, and we have long supported teamwork that positively impacts the economic strength of the Historic Triangle and state. But beyond that, what will truly bring the museum to life are the private gifts and grants from individual donors, corporations and foundations. And, it is not overstatement to describe these financial gifts as investments. These are investments that will teach current and future generations about this great American story. They will help preserve this story. They will provide a community resource where families and groups can come together. And, yes, your investments will help drive economic development throughout the region. When completed, the new American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will complement Jamestown Settlement, creating an even more powerful attraction for tourism and economic growth. Three ways to keep our story alive. Soon, the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will provide a rich and inspiring experience to museum visitors and those interested in the ultimate American story. With your generous support, we will be better able to bring our nation s history to life by significantly upgrading our collections, films, living history and education programs, while preserving the story that ultimately made America what it is today. A designated gift will allow us to fund one or more specific campaign objectives. An Annual Fund gift will enable the Foundation to respond to its most pressing needs. An endowment gift will place the museum on strong financial footing for the future.
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc., Development Office P.O. Box 3605, Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-3605 (757) 253-4139 (757) 253-5299 Fax (757) 253-5110 TDD www.historyisfun.org October 2014