Explore Thomas Jefferson’s Impact on American Independence During Final 2025-2026 Read the Revolution Speaker Series Event, June 3

Lecture on new book discusses why Jefferson matters, how his wisdom applies ahead of 250th anniversary 

Dr. Francis D. Cogliano, Professor of American History at the University of Edinburgh, and Dr. Peter S. Onuf, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation Professor Emeritus of the University of Virginia, will join the Museum on Wednesday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. to present the fifth and final public program in the Museum’s 2025-2026 Read the Revolution Speaker Series.  

The hybrid lecture and discussion will serve as the launch event for their new book, Thomas Jefferson Survives: American Independence in His Time and Ours, which will explore why Jefferson matters and how his wisdom can be applied today. Split into three essays, Thomas Jefferson Survives balances the complex history of Jefferson’s legacy while examining how his understanding of history inspired the ideals of our nation and influenced his writing of the Declaration of Independence.  

The program coincides with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration in 2026 and the Museum’s current special exhibition, The Declaration’s Journey, presented by Griffin Catalyst. Museum President and CEO Dr. R. Scott Stephenson will join the speakers for an interview conversation and facilitate a live Q&A with both onsite and online audiences.  

This special program will be held in the Museum’s third-floor Liberty Hall and will be broadcast live via Zoom. Guests with onsite tickets are invited to arrive early to view The Declaration’s Journey from 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. Doors open to Liberty Hall at 6 p.m. for onsite guests to see a featured artifact, enjoy refreshments at a cash bar, and purchase signed copies of the featured book.   

The Museum’s Read the Revolution Speaker Series brings celebrated authors and historians to the Museum for lively discussions of their work. Now in its ninth season, the series is based on the Museum’s national Read the Revolution bi-monthly e-newsletters, which feature excerpts from thought-provoking books to inspire learning about the American Revolution.  

This event is presented in partnership with Pennsylvania, The Great American Getaway. 

About Peter S. Onuf 
Peter S. Onuf is the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia. He is the New York Times best-selling author or coauthor of fourteen books, including, with Annette Gordon-Reed, Most Blessed of the Patriarchs. He lives in Portland, Maine, and Virginia.  

About Francis D. Cogliano 
Francis D. Cogliano is the author of A Revolutionary Friendship: Washington, Jefferson, and the American Republic. A fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Cogliano is professor of American history at the University of Edinburgh.  

About Museum of the American Revolution 
The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.