Be a part of something BIG: join New Hampshire Humanities’ US@250: Big Watch!  

The Big Watch is a statewide series of community-driven programs that bring Granite Staters together to watch, discuss, and reflect on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution. New Hampshire Humanities (NHH) is seeking applications from NH organizations to host a series of two programs that will take place during the spring and summer of 2026.  

Watch: Each organization will host a watch party of a themed excerpt of Ken Burns’ new film, The American Revolution, provided by NHPBS. 

Discuss: Immediately after the watch party, skilled facilitators, provided by NHH, will moderate civil discussions among viewers about the film and “remembering together:” 

    • What moments from our past define who we are and point to a shared future?  
    • Driven by a need to remember, how does commemoration help us to understand our present and provide a foundation for a community’s ongoing vitality? 
    • What are the key historical moments in your town’s or community’s history?   
    • How does focusing on these moments shape your sense of your community’s future?  

 

Reflect: Each organization must plan an additional, complementary community program that connects to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. Programming should explore the 250th anniversary in a way that makes sense for that unique community. Each organization will receive a $300 stipend to support programming costs, as well as programmatic resources and support from NHH, and the opportunity to work with NHH-provided facilitators. 


 

 

 

 

 

 

This program is a collaboration with NH Public Broadcasting (NHPBS).

 

 

About the Film -

The American Revolution 

View the trailer below:

Big Watch Resource Guide

Resources from NH State Library Center for the Book:

Items held at the NH State Library from or about the American Revolution: (1775 – 1783)

New Hampshire Related Revolutionary War Titles

 

Hosts & Partner Organizations

Any non-profit, public library, community group, or school (public or private nonprofit) is welcome to apply. 

Each host organization must partner with another local organization to plan, host, publicize, or collaborate on programming. Partnerships should deepen community engagement and provide intergenerational interaction. Partners may include, but are not limited to: 

    • Museums 
    • Historical societies 
    • Schools, summer camps, after-school groups, scouting groups 
    • VFWs, American Legions, or other veterans’ organizations 
    • Nursing homes or senior centers 
    • Community centers 
    • Family-focused organizations 
Criteria and Responsibilities

The host organization will: 

1. Partner with another local organization. 

2. Host a watch party of a themed excerpt of Ken Burns’ The American Revolution, immediately followed by a facilitated discussion of the topic of commemoration. This includes: 

      • Completing a short application to NHPBS for access to screen the film excerpts, which will be 30-40 minutes long.
      • Ensuring adequate internet access for screening the streaming film excerpts. 
      • Independently scheduling the event with an NHH-provided facilitator. 

3. Plan and host one complementary community program that addresses the topic of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution, in a way that makes sense for your community. You may choose to interact with the topic through the lens of history, commemoration (remembering together), modern implications of the Declaration of Independence or American Revolution, or another idea.  

      • Utilize an existing resource from our Big Watch Resource Guide or get creative and plan your own event! See column to the right for programming ideas.

4. Document both programs (watch party/discussion and complementary community program) in pictures, video, audio, or written format. 

5. Submit reports to NHH. 

All programming must take place between March and August 2026, and must be free and open to the public. 

 

NHPBS will: 

    • Distribute access to thematic excerpts of the film, The American Revolution, to organizations in NH, as well as an accompanying bibliography, by October 15, 2025. 

 

NHH will: 

    • Provide trained facilitators for watch party discussions, paying their honorarium and mileage costs. 
    • Provide a $300 stipend  to support complementary community program costs. 
    • Offer group Q & A/networking video calls to all selected host sites. 
    • List events on our web calendar. 
    • Promote events through our communication channels. 
    • Share out impacts of the Big Watch with participants and organizations via our communication channels.  

Community Program Ideas

Some ideas to kickstart your brainstorming:

  • NHH programs, including Humanities to Go and Perspectives book discussions (see Big Watch Resource Guide for a list of applicable programs).
  • Photo exhibit of “people I would fight for.” Those who signed the Declaration of Independence were risking their lives, but also the lives of their families (no one is safe in a war). Have people contribute an image of the people they would fight for with an explanation of why. 
  • Invite residents who have experienced war to share their experiences and perhaps discuss what values are worth that level of suffering. It can be hard to remember that the American Revolution was a war – men, women, and children were all affected.  
  • Hold a party to rewrite the Declaration of Independence. What did it mean then? What does it mean now? What issues are long outdated? What would YOU add that they missed? 
  • Commemorative art tour – visit murals, statues, or paintings that celebrate or record past events. 
  • Continue the commemoration conversation by making it specific to your town: 
    • What moments from your town’s or region’s past define who you are?   
    • Does this vary by age/generation or length of residence in town?  
    • Does the way the past is remembered in your area point to a shared future?  
    •  If not, what might citizens pull from the shared past to pull the town together? 
How to Apply
  1. Talk to your partner organization before applying. Collaborate to come up with a plan for programming and logistics. 
  2. Questions? Reach out to NHH staff at programs@nhhumanities.org. 
  3. APPLY HERE until November 21, 2025. View a copy of the application here.
  4. Status notifications will be sent by January 2026. 

 

Selection criteria 

When evaluating a proposal, reviewers consider the following criteria:  

  • Appropriate technology for a watch party 
  • Rationale and Goals: Clearly identified goal and desired impact 
  • Partnership: Confirmed partnership that helps to reach stated goals 
  • Audience: Clear engagement plan for an intergenerational audience 
  • Project Execution – Film Screening and Community Program: Clear connection to the 250th anniversary and the theme of “remembering together;” strong capacity to successfully plan, implement, host, and evaluate programs.