About

This program is part of the VA250: The American Revolution Speaker Series.

Presented by Dr. John R. Maass, National Museum of the United States Army. Sponsored by the Fielding Lewis Chapter, NSSAR, and the Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge No. 4. Delve into the five decisive events that secured independence for the thirteen hard-pressed, but determined colonies. These turning points, not all triumphs on the battlefield, delivered a victory for the new United States. By challenging conventional interpretations of what ensures victory in warfare, audiences will learn a new perspective on the Revolutionary War.

After the presentation, stay for a special screening of The American Revolution by Ken Burns.
Screening: Military History

Dr. John R. Maass is an educational specialist and historian at the National Museum of the United States Army and former U.S. Army Reserve Officer. He received his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in early American History, and is the author of several historical works, including The Road to Yorktown: Jefferson, Lafayette, and the British Invasion of Virginia (2015), The Battles of Spencer's Ordinary and Green Spring (2025), and, From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points of the Revolutionary War (2025). The latter was named one of the Library Journal’s "Best Books of 2025."

In partnership with WETA PBS, experience a six-part speaker series where each event will be followed by a special screening of The American Revolution, a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. Each screening will focus on a different theme of the Revolutionary War

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.