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! 

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!
Click here to find a program to attend!

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Host Resources

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250th Resources

• 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

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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