The American Revolution: Screening & Community Conversation

Unheard Voices of the Revolution

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

6:00–7:30pm

Tacoma Public Library Main Branch

How does our understanding of the American Revolution change when we look at the whole story?

Join KBTC Public Television and Tacoma Public Library for a community screening of The American Revolution, the PBS documentary by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. Following the screening, stay for a thoughtful panel discussion and audience Q&A focused on the unheard and underrepresented voices of the Revolution, and how these perspectives continue to shape our understanding of history today.

This event invites the community to reflect on whose stories have traditionally been told, whose have been overlooked, and why expanding historical narratives matters now. Light refreshments will be provided. Free and open to the public. 

Diane Tilstra 
KBTC Association President
Diane is a longtime community volunteer and advocate for public media, with a background in nonprofit development and leadership. Her support of community public television is a lifelong commitment. 

Ryan Booth, PhD 
History Professor, Washington State University 
Dr. Ryan Booth specializes in U.S. history with a focus on Indigenous and military history. He teaches Native American history and U.S.–Indian Wars and is a member of the Upper Skagit Tribe in Northwest Washington. 

Luther Adams - Free Man of Color
Associate Professor of Ethnic, Gender, and Labor Studies, University of Washington Tacoma 
Luther holds a PhD in History and is both a student and teacher of Black history and culture. His work brings together urban, southern, labor, and religious history to better understand Black life and culture. 

The entire six-part, 12-hour documentary series premieres in November and is co-directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. 

The American Revolution examines how America’s founding turned the world upside-down. 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. 

Free screening events like this one are made possible in part by donations from viewers like you. Thank you! 

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. 

Screening & Community Conversation: 

Unheard Voices of the Revolution

Date and time:

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

6pm-7:30pm

Location:

Tacoma Public Library Main Branch

Cost:

Free

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