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. Stay tuned to find a program near you! 

"It's like being a part of history."
-Big Watch participant

Watch: Local organizations will host a watch party of a themed excerpt of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, a new film directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt.

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 will offer an additional, complementary community program that connects to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. Programming will reflect the 250th anniversary in a way that makes sense for that unique community. 

There are more than 80 Big Watch events happening all over the state!

Find a program on our online calendar here.
View and download a printable PDF here.

Participating Organizations:

Aaron Cutler Memorial Library	Hampstead Public Library	Minot-Sleeper Library
Association of Historical Societies of NH	Hampton Falls Free Library	Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden Museum (MLHG)
Auburn Historical Association	Historical Society	Monroe Public Library
Baker Free Library	Hooksett Public Library	Moultonborough Public Library
Campton Public Library	Hopkinton Town Library	Nesmith Library
Cook Memorial Library	Jackson Public Library	Newbury Historical Sociey
Daland Memorial Library	Jefferson Historical Society	North Hampton Public Library and Cultural Center
Dover Adult Learning Center	Lane Memorial Library	Paul Memorial Library
Dover Public Library	Libbie A Cass Memorial Library	Plymouth Historical Society
Durham Public Library	Lincoln Public Library	Randolph Public Library
Enfield Public Library	Lisbon Area Historical Society	Richmond Public Library
Exeter Public Library	Littleton Community Center	Saint Anselm College
George Holmes Bixby Memorial Library	Manchester City Library	Silsby Free Public Library
Gilford Public Library	Mansfield Public Library	University of New Hampshire (Library + Center for the Humanities)
Goffstown Public Library	Meredith Public Library	Walpole Town Library
Hall Memorial Library

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Host Resources

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250th Resources

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This program is a collaboration with NH Public Broadcasting (NHPBS), with additional support provided by Cogswell Benevolent Trust.

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. 

 

By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with 
local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and 
Cultural Heritage

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FEATURED PROGRAMS

Film Screening & Discussions

Thursday, May 21, 2026
Gorham, NH
US@250: Big Watch Film Screening & Discussion

US@250: Big Watch Film Screening & Discussion

US@250: Big Watch Film Screening & Discussion

Community Programs

Declaration of Independence Reading