Experience a 46-minute preview of Ken Burns’ new six-part documentary series, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, before it airs on PBS. This powerful series explores the nation’s founding struggle and the eight-year fight for independence, told through Burns’ signature storytelling style.

Following the screening we’ll talk about American history with Dr. Alexandra Garrett, assistant professor of history at St. Michael’s College and Michael Moser, research specialist at The Center for Rural Studies at UVM and coordinator of the Vermont Happiness Study. The “pursuit of happiness” was designated as an inalienable right in the Declaration of Independence. What does it mean today? Hosted by Vermont Public’s news director, Mark Davis.

This event is free and open to the public. To support this and similar events from Vermont Public, we suggest a $10 donation to attend.

Presented by Vermont Public and Vermont Historical Society, with support from Main Street Landing.

Schedule

6 p.m. - Doors open | cash bar
7 p.m. - Introduction and screening
8:00 p.m. - History and happiness conversation
8:30 p.m. - Event ends

Speaker Bios:

Dr. Alexandra Garrett is an assistant professor of early American and public history at Saint Michael's College. Her research and teaching interests include revolutionary and early national-era women slave owners, and historical memory of the revolutionary era through contemporary screen media. Locally, she serves on the board of the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, and on the History and Culture Committee, a part of the Vermont 250th Anniversary Commission.

Michael Moser is a researcher, facilitator and educator who coordinates the Vermont State Data Center, located at the University of Vermont’s Center for Rural Studies. He has coordinated the Vermont Happiness Study and serves on the board of Gross National Happiness, USA whose mission is to increase personal happiness and our collective wellbeing by changing how we measure progress and success.

Mark Davis, Vermont Public’s news director, has spent more than a decade working as a reporter in Vermont, focusing on both daily and long-form stories with Seven Days and the Valley News. He has also served as a producer and editor for the Rumblestrip podcast.

Accommodations
Vermont Public is committed to providing access and accommodation for individuals with disabilities at our events. To request accommodations, please email events@vermontpublic.org or call us at 802-655-9451 at least seven days in advance of the event.

Cancellation Policy
Please let us know by emailing events@vermontpublic.org if you are not able to join us so that we may release your tickets to someone else.

Directions and Parking
Main Street Landing - Lake & College Building, 60 Lake St, Burlington, VT 05401

There is metered parking available on Lake Street and around the venue. A paid parking lot available just across Lake Street.

Other questions? Email us at events@vermontpublic.org.

About THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION is a production of Florentine Films and WETA Washington, D.C. Directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. Written by Geoffrey C. Ward. Produced by Sarah Botstein, David Schmidt, Salimah El-Amin and Ken Burns. Edited by Tricia Reidy, Maya Mumma, Charles E. Horton, and Craig Mellish. Co-Produced by Megan Ruffe and Mike Welt. Cinematography by Buddy Squires. Narrated by Peter Coyote. The executive in charge for WETA was John F. Wilson (who passed away in November of 2024). Executive producer is Ken Burns.

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.