Name: American Revolution Experience
Start: 2024-12-22T12:00:00-05:00
End: 2024-12-22T15:00:00-05:00
Location: Ladies' Library Association of Kalamazoo

We are hosting the American Revolutionary Experience Traveling Exhibit for the month of December at the Ladies’ Library Association in downtown Kalamazoo. The innovative pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation.
The American Revolution Experience invites visitors to consider the choice faced by members of the revolutionary generation as tensions mounted in the 1770s: Would these ordinary citizens risk their lives and livelihoods in pursuit of liberty? Or would they remain loyal subjects of the British crown, coming into conflict with neighbors and family? The exhibit surfaces diverse viewpoints and experiences, touching on the journeys — both literal and figurative — of Patriots and Loyalists, men and women, Black and Native populations and even international allies. Rather than focusing only on generals and famous statesmen, it introduces audiences to drummer boys, military mapmakers and other ordinary people who were impacted by global events.
A companion exhibit ”The Real Daughters of Kalamazoo: Exploring Local Ties to the American Revolution” will uncover the Ladies’ Library Association founding members ties with the American Revolution and spotlight Kalamazoo County’s sole Real Daughter, Helen Margaret Van Dolson Barrett (1831-1930). Her father was a Revolutionary War Veteran and she, along with several of the founding members also had direct ties to the Revolutionary War through family relationships and stories. This exhibit will include information about these early Kalamazoo residents and their links to the Revolutionary War.
The exhibit will run from Monday December 2, 2024 through Tuesday December 31, 2024, closed on December 9 and during Christmas break December 23 – 26, 2024 and on December 30th. Admission is free. For further details on times, view the calendar of events for America250MI at www.America250MI.org/calendar. The address is 333 Park Street, and parking is available in the lot on the corner of Lovell and Park streets.