The American Revolution (1775-1783) was a war between Great Britain and its 13 American colonies. Colonists who supported independence believed they should have more control over their own laws and taxation, while the British wanted to keep the colonies under Imperial rule. These disagreements grew into open conflict and eventually led to the founding of a new nation.
Harvard played many roles in the American Revolution. It served as headquarters for the colonies’ Continental Army, produced graduates who became key revolutionary leaders, and fostered bold new ideas through active intellectual and academic debate. The stories gathered here reveal how the Harvard community helped shape—and was shaped by—the birth of the American republic.
This exhibition invites you to explore the many complex and influential ways Harvard participated in the American Revolution. Through thoughtfully curated objects, documents, and narratives from the collections of the Harvard University Archives, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the hopes and anxieties that shaped the era and how Harvard both participated in and contributed to the nation’s struggle for independence. We invite you to walk in these historical footsteps around campus, engage with the voices of the past, and reflect upon the lasting importance of education and critical inquiry during times of great change.
From Cambridge to Concord: Harvard and the American Revolution was curated by Emily Atkins, Ariana Cook, Hannah Hack, Virginia Hunt, Juliana Kuipers, and Sarah Martin of the Harvard University Archives. Exhibit graphic design by Molly Regan, Logica Design.