THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: Screening and Discussion
Description
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, clips from the new PBS documentary “The American Revolution” will be shown in the Harre Union ballrooms on April 22, 2026 from 3-5pm Central. The program will feature clips from the longer 12-part series, followed by facilitated table conversations. Light refreshments will be served.
This program has been made possible by Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, Lakeshore Public Media, and Indiana Humanities, with special thanks to Valparaiso University.
ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt examines how America’s founding turned the world upside-down. Thirteen British colonies on the Atlantic Coast rose in rebellion, won their independence, and established a new form of government that radically reshaped the continent and inspired centuries of democratic movements around the globe.
An expansive look at the virtues and contradictions of the war and the birth of the United States of America, the film follows dozens of figures from a wide variety of backgrounds. Through their individual stories, viewers experience the war through the memories of the men and women who experienced it: the rank-and-file Continental soldiers and American militiamen (some of them teenagers), Patriot political and military leaders, British Army officers, American Loyalists, Native soldiers and civilians, enslaved and free African Americans, German soldiers in the British service, French and Spanish allies, and various civilians living in North America, Loyalist as well as Patriot, including many made refugees by the war.
The Revolution began a movement for people around the world to imagine new and better futures for themselves, their nations, and for humanity. It declared American independence with promises that we continue to strive for. The American Revolution opened the door to advance civil liberties and human rights, and it asked questions that we are still trying to answer today.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
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 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, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Facilatators
Larry Brechner
Larry Brechner is the Board Chairman at Lakeshore Public Media. A radio and talk show host, Brechner was worked as a theatrical lighting designer and musical theater stage director for over forty years. He earned his Doctor of Fine Arts in Theatre Studies and received his Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from Purdue University Calumet in Radio/TV/Theater Production and Management. He is recently retired from his full-time work as an Auditorium and Musical Theater Director and his photography is widely acknowledged.
Nancy Clifford
Nancy Clifford is the Interim President and CEO of Lakeshore Public Media. Clifford brings extensive experience in strategic planning, staffing, and financial management from her long career in financial services. A dedicated civic leader, Clifford has spent nearly 25 years on the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana, where she has led governance initiatives and helped raise significant endowment funds. She has also served more than two decades on the Legacy Foundation’s Investment Committee, receiving the Prudential National Outstanding Board Award in recognition of her service.
Elizabeth Gingrich
Elizabeth Gingerich teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in business law, and is editor-in-chief of Valpo’s Journal of Values-Based Leadership. She brings nearly three decades of law experience into the classroom, most recently as a law partner with Terrell & Thrall LLP. She has lectured at national and international conferences on intellectual property, and her work has been published in The Indiana Law Review, Res Gestae, and Employee Relations Law Journal. She is a member of both the Indiana and Virginia State Bar Associations and maintains a limited practice in corporate law.
Natalie Krivas
Natalie Krivas is an educator and community leader at Valparaiso University whose work centers on civic engagement, values-based leadership, and social and environmental responsibility. Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, she became a United States citizen in June 2025 and brings a transnational perspective to conversations about history, democracy, and public life. She earned her undergraduate degree from McGill University, Master’s in Education from Valparaiso University, and her Ph.D. from Saybrook University.
Anton Lewis
Anton Lewis is an Associate Professor of Accounting in the College of Business at Governors State University. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance and a Ph.D. in Accounting. He previously taught at University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, Saint Xavier University, and Valparaiso University. His research focuses on the paucity of Black accountants in the U.K. and U.S. and in examining Black America vs. Black Britain.
James Paul Old
James Paul Old is an Associate Professor in the Political Science department at Valparaiso University and serves as its Department Chair, focusing on literature, religion, and politics, with published research in areas like American Political Thought and Religion & Politics. He's recognized for work in political theory, particularly exploring connections between literature (like Willa Cather) and political memory, and has contributed to studies on religion and race in elections.
Richard Sévère
Richard Sévère is the dean of the College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences (CHESS) at Purdue University Northwest. Sévère most recently served as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Valparaiso University. As associate dean, his accomplishments included oversight and leadership of the College of Arts and Sciences’ 17 departments, management of the college’s budget and growth of faculty research opportunities in the college. He currently serves on the board of Project Neighbors.
FAQs
- How do I get to the Harre Union?
From I-65/US 30
Exit at US-30 East in Merrillville. Proceed approximately 12 miles east to Valparaiso. You will see the US-30 entrance to the University on the left (north) side of US-30. (If you drive past Wal-Mart, you have gone too far.) Continue straight on this road past the Chapel and the Christopher Center for Library Resources to the third stop sign and turn right. At the next stop sign, just past Guild/Memorial Hall, turn right again. At the second stop sign, turn left and proceed to parking lot 14 or 15. The north entrance to the Harre Union is directly across from the west side of parking lot 14.
From I-80/90 or I-94/ IN-49
Exit at IN-49 South in Chesterton. Proceed approximately eight miles south to Valparaiso, then exit onto US-30 West. After passing through the second stoplight, you will see the entrance to campus on your right. Continue straight on this road, past the Chapel and the Christopher Center for Library Resources to the third stop sign and turn right. At the next stop sign, just past Guild/Memorial Hall, turn right again. At the second stop sign, turn left and proceed to parking lot 14 or 15. The north entrance to the Harre Union is directly across from the west side of parking lot 14.
- Where can I park on campus?
Visitor parking is available in lots 14 and 15, located directly north and northwest of the Union. Visit this link for a map of the University campus.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
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