"The American Revolution: A World War" Exhibition Opens at the Smithsonian

Media Open House June 21: 10 a.m. to Noon

WHAT: The National Museum of American History will host a media open house for "The American Revolution: A World War," a yearlong exhibition that focuses on two historical paintings of the battle of Yorktown and the relationship between America and the European world powers, particularly France.

WHEN: Thursday, June 21
10 a.m. to noon

WHERE: The Nicholas F. and Eugenia Taubman Gallery, second floor
Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
Madison Drive (Mall) entrance, between 12th and 14th streets N.W.

WHO: David Allison, senior scholar, National Museum of American History

Two paintings of the Battle of Yorktown by Louis-Nicolas Van Blarenberghe will be reunited with the portrait of George Washington painted by Charles Willson Peale in the new exhibition "The American Revolution: A World War." This will be the first time that these paintings have been displayed in a national museum since they were hung in the Comte de Rochambeau's home during the 1700s.

A global lens is placed on the story of American independence in "The American Revolution: A World War," on view June 26, 2018, through July 9, 2019. This exhibition explores the Franco-American partnership during the Revolution and the extent to which international relations shaped the formation of the United States. Other artifacts include a pistol carried by George Washington; a cannon used at Yorktown, representing how the French supplied weapons, soldiers, warships and funding; Washington's Yorktown siege map drawn after the conflict; and memorabilia commemorating the Marquis de Lafayette's visit to the United States near the 50th anniversary of independence.

This exhibition is a part of "Hamilton in D.C.," a series of programs and exhibits throughout the city on history connected to Alexander Hamilton and the hit Broadway musical Hamilton.

Note to editors: Media must register in advance by contacting the Office of Communications and Marketing at 202-633-3129 or at duffl@si.edu.

Media only: Melinda Machado 202-633-3129; machadom@si.edu
Juliane Kim 202-633-3129; kimj3@si.edu

Media website: http://newsdesk.si.edu

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- June 18, 2018.

SOURCE Smithsonian's National Museum of American History