Since its official establishment on June 14, 1775, the U.S. Army has played a vital role in the growth and development of the nation. On that day, the Continental Congress adopted the New England Army of Observation, making it a “continental” army, and voted to raise troops that same day. The Continental Army thus became America’s first national institution. Five days later Congress unanimously appointed George Washington as the commander in chief of the forces gathered at Boston.
Washington and the Army would go on to endure hardships, disease, and battlefield defeats over the next 18 months in 1775 and 1776 until a string of American victories at Trenton and Princeton turned the tide for the Army and the new nation.
The National Army Museum will present a full day symposium focusing on the first two years of the Revolutionary War to highlight the 250th anniversary of the Army’s founding, and the opening of the Museum’s new special exhibit, “CALL TO Arms: The Soldier and the Revolutionary War.”
Thursday, May 29
7-8 p.m. – America at 250: Toward an Inclusive Commemoration, a panel discussion
How will historic sites, foundations, and other organizations commemorate the American Revolution’s Semiquincentennial starting this year? Join public historians Allison Wickens, Beth Hill, and Daniel Davis for a panel discussion about upcoming 250th anniversary events, programs, and exhibits across the country focused on the Revolutionary era and its importance to Americans today.
Panelists:
Allison Wickens is Vice President of Education at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, in Virginia.
Beth L. Hill is President and CEO of the Fort Ticonderoga Association in New York.
Daniel Davis is Senior Education Manager, American Battlefield Trust in Washington, D.C.
Friday, May 30
Friday’s presentations require advance registration and are offered both in-person and virtually.
Register to Attend Virtually Register to Attend In-Person
8-8:30 a.m. – Check-in and Late Registration. Army Historical Foundation Book Sale
Check-in starting at 8 a.m. Pick up grab-and-go snacks in the Museum Café. Enjoy complimentary coffee service and explore the book sale including a general selection of military history books—new and used copies will be available.
8:30-8:45 a.m. – Museum Director’s Welcome, with Tammy E. Call
8:45-9:45 a.m. – The Roots of Conflict, with David L. Preston, Ph.D.
What led to the violence at Lexington and Concord? Between the French and Indian War and the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, a series of political, commercial, and military disputes grew to a fever pitch. Explore the contentious years that led up to the conflict between Great Britain and her North American colonies and the “shot heard ‘round the world.”
David Preston is the General Mark W. Clark Distinguished Professor of History at The Citadel, where he teaches early American history and U.S. military history. He is the author of several books, most notably “Braddock’s Defeat: The Battle of the Monongahela and the Road to Revolution,” which received the 2015 Gilder Lehrman Prize in Military History and several other awards.
10-11 a.m. – The Formation of the Continental Army, with Holly Mayer, Ph.D.
In 1775, rebellious Americans had to form a standing army to protect their rights and defend themselves against occupying British forces. How did the Continental Army come to be? Who made up its ranks? What challenges did Congress, George Washington, and his generals face as they strived to create an effective fighting force?
Holly Mayer, Professor Emerita of History at Duquesne University, is the author of the acclaimed “Belonging to the Army: Camp Followers and Community during the American Revolution” and “Congress’s Own: A Canadian Regiment, the Continental Army, and American Union.”
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – The Early War in the South, with Michael Cecere
Both the newly created American republic and Great Britain knew that the southern colonies were critical to any successful prosecution of the war by either side. Explore the often-overlooked southern theater of the Revolutionary War in 1775 and 1776, and the significance of several early battles in the South affected the war’s trajectory.
Michael Cecere is a retired history teacher who resides in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he volunteers and works for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. He is the author of 25 books and numerous articles on the American Revolution and the Revolutionary War, including “March to Independence: The Revolutionary War in the Southern Colonies, 1775–1776.”
12:15-1:45 p.m. – Lunch on your own and gallery exploration
During the mid-day break, explore the Fighting for the Nation Galleries on the first floor. Enjoy a Simple & Fresh Lunch Box prepared by the Museum’s on-site caterer. These Lunch Box orders are $20 each and are delivered directly to participants in Veterans’ Hall. Orders must be completed no later than Thursday, May 22, 2025. The Museum Café also offers a variety of lunch options that may be purchased on-site.
Click here for the boxed lunch menu and to order.
1:45-2:45 p.m. – Revolutionary War Leadership, a panel discussion
Which commanders were effective? Which were not? Who emerged as the most successful field officers of the war? Join early American historians Christian McBurney, Joyce Lee Malcolm, and Ricardo A. Herrera for a discussion about key American leaders during the conflict’s first two years.
Panelists:
Christian McBurney is a retired attorney and author of six books on the American Revolutionary War, including “Kidnapping the Enemy: The Special Operations to Capture Generals Charles Lee and Richard Prescott” and “The Rhode Island Campaign: The First French and American Operation in the Revolutionary War.”
Joyce Lee Malcolm, Ph.D. is an emeritus historian and constitutional scholar at George Mason University active in the area of constitutional history, focusing on the development of individual rights in Great Britain and America. She is the author of eight books, most recently “The Tragedy of Benedict Arnold: An American Life.”
Ricardo A. Herrera, Ph.D. is Visiting Professor, Department of National Security and Strategy, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. He is the author of “Feeding Washington’s Army: Surviving the Valley Forge Winter of 1778” and “For Liberty and the Republic: The American Citizen as Soldier, 1775-1861.”
3-4 p.m. – Washington’s Campaigns, 1776-77, with Mark E. Lender, Ph.D.
After the British evacuated Boston in March 1776, the New York area became the main seat of the Revolutionary War. How did the defeats at Long Island, White Plains, and Fort Washington, lead to decisive victories at Trenton and Princeton? What did George Washington and his army learn from these early hardships?
Mark Edward Lender, Ph.D. is the author of “Cabal! The Plot Against General Washington” and co-author of “Fatal Sunday: George Washington, the Monmouth Campaign, and the Politics of Battle.” In 2017 he was a finalist for the George Washington Literary Prize. He is Professor Emeritus of History at Kean University, from which he retired as Vice President for Academic Affairs in 2011.
4-5 p.m. – Exhibit Sneak Peek
Be the first to explore the Museum’s newest special exhibit, “CALL TO Arms: The Soldier and the Revolutionary War.”
Saturday, May 31
9-11:30 a.m. – History Hike – General Washington’s Alexandria: A Walking Tour
George Washington had many ties to Alexandria, Virginia, since its founding in 1749. Of all his connections to the Potomac River town, Washington’s military career was perhaps his strongest, from the French and Indian War through the American Revolution. Follow museum educator and historian John Maass, Ph.D. on an exploration of many of historic Alexandria’s buildings, sites, streets, and churches with a connection to America’s first commander in chief.
This free two and a half-hour walking tour takes place in Old Town Alexandria beginning at the Market Square located at 300 King Street. Participants provide their own transportation and meet at the northwest corner of King and Fairfax Streets, where the hike will begin and end.
Ability Level: moderate due to terrain. The walking tour will include uneven brick and stone walkways.
Space is limited and advanced registration is required.
Register here to attend the Saturday History Hike IN-PERSON