Join licensed tour guide Bruce Racond to visit the New York City that George Washington would have known from 1776 to 1790! This walking tour explores the people and places of NYC during the Revolutionary War and Washington’s first term as president, including the important contributions of women and African Americans.
As America celebrates 250 years of independence, this talk will examine the indispensable founder, George Washington. We’ll explore Washington’s life and political leadership as well as his work as a farmer, entrepreneur and architect.
The lecture will also take a look at the groundbreaking work of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, which has owned and managed George Washington’s Mount Vernon since 1858. In that year, an intrepid group of women — who had no right to vote or own property — came together to save George Washington’s home, after both the Federal Government and Commonwealth of Virginia had refused to help. Formation of the MVLA marked the birth of the historic preservation movement — and the MVLA has been going strong ever since.*
Join licensed tour guide Bruce Racond to visit the New York City that George Washington would have known from 1776 to 1790! This walking tour explores the people and places of NYC during the Revolutionary War and Washington’s first term as president, including the important contributions of women and African Americans.
Our exclusive Living History After Dark event transforms the museum into a magical, candlelit adventure, where every shadow holds a story and every hallway echoes with the secrets of the Revolutionary era. Meet passionate costumed interpreters, discover rare artifacts unveiled just for this night, and immerse yourself in tales that will spark your imagination. Secure your ticket now and enjoy a special themed goody bag as a keepsake from a night you’ll never forget!
Doors open at 5:30pm, Doors close at 6:30pm.
Join us for a special Liberty 250 lecture by Zachary Edinger, Sexton (Shamash) of Congregation Shearith Israel.
This talk explores how New York's small Jewish community experienced the American Revolution and emerged fundamentally transformed by it. The Revolution forced every member of the community to make difficult choices. Some fled with the Patriot cause, others remained loyal to the Crown, families were divided, even as the synagogue itself continued to function under British occupation. By examining the lives of figures such as Gershom Mendes Seixas, Myer Myers, Uriah Hendricks, and the Gomez and Hays families, together with the stories preserved in Shearith Israel's ritual objects and archival documents, we gain a more nuanced understanding of Jewish life during the conflict than the familiar narrative of Patriots versus Loyalists.*
On Monday, November 16, 2026, Fraunces Tavern® Museum invites you to the opening of our new exhibition, Martha, The First Founding Mother Revealed. This illuminating exhibition centers on Martha Washington as a leader, role model, maternal figure, and trusted partner to her husband, George Washington. It will detail her emergence as a national figure whose influence helped shape early American ideas about leadership, patriotism, and public service.
The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. and will include refreshments and feature Colonial Williamsburg's nationally celebrated Martha Washington interpreter, Katherine Pittman, along with remarks from leadership of the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York and Daughters of the American Revolution.
At 7:20 PM, Katharine Pittman will begin her nationally celebrated Martha Washington interpretation, with a Q&A session to follow.
Dinner will begin at 8:15 p.m. at Fraunces Tavern Restaurant and will include a three-course meal; attendees who haven't purchased a dinner ticket are welcome to explore the galleries until 8:45 PM.
Reception-only (Members): $40 (for tax purposes, all but $20 per ticket used is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law)
Reception-only (Non-Members): $50 (for tax purposes, all but $20 per ticket used is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law)
Reception and Dinner (Members): $190 (for tax purposes, all but $140 per ticket used is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law)
Reception and Dinner (Non-Members): $200 (for tax purposes, all but $140 per ticket used is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law)
Patron Event Sponsorship: $100 (Patron Event Sponsor contributions are 100% deductible to the extent allowed by law. Patron Event Sponsors will be recognized on our website and in email promotions, as well as at the event)
To avoid fees associated with making a gift online, we encourage you to consider purchasing your tickets with a check mailed to:
Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York, Inc.
54 Pearl Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 11104
Evacuation Day marked the final British evacuation from New York City in 1783, after seven years of occupation. The evening culminated in a festive dinner given by Governor George Clinton, honoring George Washington and his officers at Samuel Fraunces’s tavern.
SRNY continues to celebrate this day annually with a dinner at Fraunces Tavern. Invited speakers address those assembled throughout the course of the dinner, offering their own interpretations of the very same thirteen toasts given at the first Evacuation Day Dinner at Fraunces Tavern on November 25, 1783.
Join us in the room where it happened for one of our special reenactments during the day and have an opportunity to converse with Washington himself before he returns to Mount Vernon!
Join us to explore the rich history and exciting future of American whiskey with expert educator Lia Niskanen, founder of Barrel Strength Talent. This 45-minute educational experience and whiskey tasting will take you on a journey through the history of whiskey in America, from its 18th-century beginnings and the Whiskey Rebellion, through Prohibition and Bourbon’s official recognition in 1964.
The program includes a specially curated five-whiskey tasting flight, which will allow you to taste a variety of whiskeys while learning more about American Single Malt. Engage with this new whiskey movement — one of the fastest-growing in the world — through taste, storytelling, and history!
Professor Andrew J. O’Shaughnessy of the University of Virginia will be our featured guest speaker for an evening 250th anniversary commemoration event. Professor O’Shaughnessy is a former Vice President of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello and the author of Republic and Empire: Crisis, Revolution and America’s Early Independence and The Men Who Lost America: British Leadership, the American Revolution and the Fate of the Empire.
Based on Republic and Empire, which was virtually the first attempt at an imperial history of the American Revolution, this lecture will explore the Revolution from the perspective of the colonies that did not rebel in 1776.
Participate in Founding Foods, a collaboration between the Culinary Historians of New York and Fraunces Tavern Museum, for a day dedicated to fascinating talks about the many different cuisines that played an important role in shaping the early days of the country. This exciting event features top historians, authors, researchers, and culinary scholars who will explore how the food people ate can reveal so much about the politics and culture of the period. This event includes a series of lectures, panel discussions, tastings and question-and-answer sessions.
With a focus on bringing history alive, Founding Foods is an opportunity for history buffs, food fans, and anyone interested in learning more about America's cuisine from colonial times.
Join us as we commemorate martyred spy Nathan Hale at the foot of the Nathan Hale statue which stands at City Hall Park. The ceremony features the SRNY Color Guard, wreath laying, and more.
Join licensed tour guide Bruce Racond to uncover Central Park’s hidden Revolutionary War history! This walking tour explores some of Central Park’s most beautiful but least-known areas—including the grounds of historic forts and other sites from the war. You’ll encounter great vistas, hear captivating stories, and see vivid images and maps transporting you back to the 18th century as you experience the history of the land that would become Central Park.
Join licensed tour guide Bruce Racond to uncover Central Park’s hidden Revolutionary War history! This walking tour explores some of Central Park’s most beautiful but least-known areas—including the grounds of historic forts and other sites from the war. You’ll encounter great vistas, hear captivating stories, and see vivid images and maps transporting you back to the 18th century as you experience the history of the land that would become Central Park.
Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York will mark the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Harlem Heights (September 16, 1776) with a parade down Broadway from West 129th Street to West 116th Street, beginning at 1:00 PM. The parade will be followed by a private viewing of "Harlem Heights: The Story of Columbia's Lasting Tribute to its Hallowed Ground," an exhibit installed at Columbia University's Butler Library documenting the 1897 dedication of SRNY's bronze battle tablet on Columbia's campus, with a reception to follow at Mess Hall Harlem. The day's program includes remarks from SRNY President Peter Sherwin, Columbia historian David Eisenbach, and a prayer from Society chaplain Father Christopher Cullen, SJ.
Raise a glass to freedom and sing along to traditional songs from the colonial era performed by Anne Enslow and Ridley Enslow. These songs, performed on authentic 18th-century instruments, would have been heard in taverns across the colonies throughout the colonial era and American Revolution.
As always, Anne and Ridley perform in 18th-century dress and on instruments of the period—hammered dulcimer and a 1776 violin. They will have their little dancing man called a limberjack, who pleases audience members from 9 to 90! Before each song Anne will provide an interesting and entertaining introduction to the piece, setting the context in American history.
Join us in celebrating the 250th and singing to the tune of revolution!
Learn about a forgotten Founding Father in this talk by Scott S. Greenberger!
Along with Alexander Hamilton, Gouverneur Morris was the most important New Yorker during the Revolution and at the Constitutional Convention, where he was the most outspoken opponent of slavery, gave more speeches than anyone else, and wrote the final draft. (The immortal words of the Preamble—We the People, etc.—are his.) Morris was the true father of the Erie Canal—which cemented New York's status as America's most important city—and he designed the Manhattan street grid. He's buried in the Bronx, but he's been (unjustly) forgotten by New Yorkers and the country as a whole. He deserves to be remembered as we mark America's 250th.*
On Saturday, August 22, 10:00 am, there will be a Battle of Brooklyn reenactment at Long Meadow, Prospect Park, Brooklyn. This will be followed by the Maryland 400 commemoration at 12:00 pm at the The Old Stone House, Brooklyn. RSVP for the Maryland 400 commemoration here. On Sunday, August 23, 2026, Green-Wood Cemetery will have its annual Battle of Brooklyn celebrations. Stop by the Fraunces Tavern Museum table and participate in our activities at this event.
Explore the fascinating world of Revolutionary-era tavern culture on an unforgettable evening bar crawl through Lower Manhattan! Join licensed tour guide and beverage historian Diana Pittet* as you journey through a curated mix of historic taverns and vibrant neighborhood bars. Discover how taverns fueled the politics, commerce, and community spirit that shaped eighteenth-century America. The night culminates at the iconic Fraunces Tavern, where the stories—and spirits—of our nation’s founding come alive. Raise a glass, step back in time, and experience history like never before!
Step back into the American Revolution with a special family-friendly screening of Liberty's Kids! Join us at the Fraunces Tavern Museum to watch an episode of the beloved animated series that brings Revolutionary-era history to life through the adventures of young reporters James, Sarah, and Henri.
Following the showing, museum professionals will lead an interactive Q&A session where participants can gain deeper insight into historical facts from the show. Learn more about the characters, events, and history of the American Revolution.
Program is free with admission and is recommended for families with kids aged 6+.
Open to students, emerging writers, and professionals, this series of writing workshops invite New Yorkers across all five boroughs to grapple with the Revolution’s contradictions – a fight for liberty in a society where enslavement remained legal. Through thought-provoking prompts and community dialogue, participants will explore themes of freedom, displacement, and identity in Revolutionary-era New York.*
Step back in time this summer as we explore our nation’s rich heritage through hands-on crafts inspired by the past!
On July 16th, join us for colonial arts & crafts day to explore the history of corn husk dolls, tracing their origins from Native Americans to European settlers and enslaved African Americans. During the Revolutionary era, children made these dolls from available materials, showcasing their resilience and creativity despite adversity. Participants will learn to craft their own corn husk dolls, connecting with the historical ingenuity of these children and the broader Revolutionary War era.
Drop in any time from 12:30-2:30pm to try your hand at our all-ages activities!
FREE WITH MUSEUM ADMISSION
Hosted by the Federal Bar Association- Southern District of New York:
Celebrate the 250-year anniversary of the founding of the United States with an exclusive, continuing legal education (CLE) fireside chat.
Panelists:
Hon. Mark C. Dillon (Appellate Division of the Second Department; Author of The First Chief Justice: John Jay and the Struggle of a New Nation (SUNY Press, 2022))
Alan W. Borst, Jr. (former Chair of the Legal History Committee of the New York City Bar)
Peter C. Hein (Of Counsel, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz; Past President of Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc.)
Celebrate the 250-year anniversary of the founding of the United States with an exclusive, continuing legal education (CLE) fireside chat. Designed for legal practitioners (though non-lawyers are welcome), this event examines the original and limited role of the judiciary before and after Article III, including the principles and historic decisions that transformed the U.S. Supreme Court into a true third branch of government.*
Fraunces Tavern Museum will have its traditional open house on July 4, 2026. The open house is being coordinated with the major national event, Sail4th 250, a parade of ships in New York Harbor. The SRNY Color Guard will participate in the Lower Manhattan Historical Association’s Independence Day Parade. At 2:30 pm, the Museum is hosting its “It Happened Here” lecture highlighting The Passing of Three Presidents - John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe - all of whom died on July 4th.
No more RSVPS are available. We will accommodate as many attendees as possible on a first-come, first-served basis.
Celebrate America's 250th birthday at the oldest building in Manhattan!
At midnight, Times Square will host the first ball drop outside of New Year’s Eve to commemorate the United States Semiquincentennial. Fraunces Tavern Museum will be livestreaming the event.
In addition to the livestream, Fraunces Tavern Museum will be open after hours! Beginning at 6 PM, the museum will offer a $1 admission fee. From 6 PM to 12 AM, join us in the Flag Gallery for games and activities celebrating America's 250th Birthday!
Learn how rum impacted the American Revolution with Jordan B. Smith!
This talk, building on Jordan’s 2025 book, The Invention of Rum: Creating the Quintessential Atlantic Commodity, presents a new story of how rum was invented, made, sold, and consumed in the Atlantic world, and how those developments intersected with the American Revolution. We will explore how rum revolutionized the Atlantic world, then home in on various moments in the leadup, course, and aftermath of the American Revolution when the market for—and meanings embedded within—rum shaped the age of revolutions.*
Books will be available in-person at the event, and the author will be on-hand for signing.
Explore the art of storytelling through quilting! Join us at the Fraunces Tavern Museum for a special hands-on program where we’ll decorate quilt blocks while learning about Freedom Quilts and their role during the American Revolution.
Discover how quilts were more than just blankets — they were symbols of resistance, freedom, and communication. We’ll discuss the meanings behind different quilt patterns and their connections to the fight for independence.
Drop in any time from 12:30-2:30pm to try your hand at this all-ages activity!
FREE WITH MUSEUM ADMISSION
Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. While not a federal holiday, this special day is observed across the nation, from small towns to big cities, often with parades. Since 1916, Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York, Inc. (SRNY) has hosted the Flag Day Parade, Celebration, and Open House here in New York City.
Join The New York Baroque Dance Company (NYBDC) for a lively workshop at Fraunces Tavern Museum! We'll learn social dances from George Washington's time and the early days of the nation, including some by Francis Johnson, the American composer who brought the whole nation to the dance floor.
In true 18th-century style, we'll practice elegant figures and spirited steps that will bring the world of the ball to life and demonstrate the spirited atmosphere of a revolutionary tavern. Whether you're new to historical dance or a seasoned reveler, this workshop will give you the confidence to shine on the dance floor and earn you free admission to NYBDC's Ball on June 28.
Costumes admired but not required.
Join Fraunces Tavern Museum for an evening discussion on Ken Burns' The American Revolution documentary!
Opening with a screening of select highlights from the six-part documentary, we will then discuss the making of the film with Producer and Co-Director Sarah Botstein, Producer Salimah El-Amin, Co-Producer Megan Ruffe, and Director of Photography Buddy Squires. The panel will illuminate the process of creating the documentary and their experience of telling the story of the American Revolution through film.*
Walking Tour Led by Bruce Racond*
American history comes alive on the streets where it happened in historic locations critical to the lives and partnership of Alexander Hamilton and George Washington! Relive the first reading of the Declaration of Independence and the subsequent revolt, honor the fallen American troops in the Battle of Brooklyn, celebrate the Constitution’s ratification, and applaud Hamilton's achievement of the Compromise of 1790. Stand at the site of Washington's momentous inauguration, dig into the history of the infamous duel between Hamilton and Aaron Burr, pay your respects at the final resting place of the Hamiltons, and much more. This is an immersive tour for lovers of United States’ history and the musical Hamilton!
Did we need a Declaration? What does the text tell us about the signers? Was the Declaration a success? What has been its appeal and its influence abroad and at home over the last 250 years? Join Judge Douglas Ginsberg to explore these questions at a special Liberty 250 lecture.
Judge Ginsburg is known for his civics work. He produced a film for PBS in July 2023 on the Declaration of Independence and a three-part series on the U.S. Constitution.
Walking Tour Led by Bruce Racond*
American history comes alive on the streets where it happened in historic locations critical to the lives and partnership of Alexander Hamilton and George Washington! Relive the first reading of the Declaration of Independence and the subsequent revolt, honor the fallen American troops in the Battle of Brooklyn, celebrate the Constitution’s ratification, and applaud Hamilton's achievement of the Compromise of 1790. Stand at the site of Washington's momentous inauguration, dig into the history of the infamous duel between Hamilton and Aaron Burr, pay your respects at the final resting place of the Hamiltons, and much more. This is an immersive tour for lovers of United States’ history and the musical Hamilton!
On April 27, 2026, Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc. invite you to gather with us to commemorate the 251st Anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which took place on April 19, 1775. At this commemoration, we will also honor the winner of the 2026 Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award.
The Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award is presented annually to the author of the best newly published work on the American Revolutionary War that combines original scholarship, insight, and good writing. This year's winner is The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780 by Rick Atkinson*.
Join this interactive craft cocktail class hosted by pop historian, comedian and certified mixologist, Jacey Powers. This unique event combines one-part humor, one-part history and shakes them up for a perfectly blended celebration of fascinating women in history, worthy of raising a glass to.
As we approach America's 250th birthday, we'll look at the story behind our nation's most enduring symbol: the United States Flag. We've all heard the story of Betsy Ross, but is it fact or an American fable? Together we'll untangle the tale and shake up a historic cocktail inspired by the recipes and drinking culture of colonial America. This high-energy happy hour will illuminate the way we tell women's stories with every guest learning a little and laughing a lot.*
The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the nation’s founding. Join historian Robert Watson for this talk exploring some of the fun and intriguing stories behind the stories as well as common myths and misconceptions about both remarkable events.*
Presented by the Saint Andrew’s Society of the State of New York
Scotland profoundly influenced Revolutionary America. Core tendencies in Scottish culture-such as common sense philosophy, the principle of popular consent, the appeal of personal autonomy, and the virtues of political moderation-had crucial reverberations across the Atlantic. This lecture will explore the ways in which Scotland shaped and informed the Declaration of Independence. We will begin by discussing the signers of the Declaration who were either Scottish-born or of Scottish (and Scots Irish) descent. Next, we will examine other prominent Scots active during that era (including one New Yorker who has been less known that he should be) who profoundly influenced American life, along with their varying reputations among the American people. Finally, we will analyze the intellectual role of the Scottish Enlightenment in forming the ideas expressed by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration.
Presented by Dr. Nicholas Birns, a literary scholar and faculty member at New York University's School of Professional Studies.
Following the lecture, there will be a reception with refreshments and small bites. InchDairnie Distillery from Fife will be providing the Whisky for the toast and the tasting.
In honor of George Washington and to benefit Fraunces Tavern Museum
The George Washington Birthday Ball, hosted by Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York, is held each year to honor George Washington and to benefit Fraunces Tavern® Museum.
The Museum is wheelchair accessible.
*The views of the speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of
Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc. or its Fraunces Tavern® Museum
Fraunces Tavern® Museum is owned and operated by, and SAMUEL FRAUNCES, FRAUNCES TAVERN, and LIBERTY 250 are registered trademarks of,
Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc., a Section 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation
instituted in 1876 and incorporated in 1884.
Copyright © 2026 SRNY, Inc. All rights reserved.
