Quick Facts About the Memorial
1. Why is the National Patriot Memorial important today?
The National Patriot Memorial is important today, because the American Revolutionary War gave birth to the United States and created our enduring form of representative government. Across the globe those who struggle for freedom still invoke the powerful ideas of the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Far from being a remote episode in the distant past, the Wars of Independence are the most important events in the history of the modern world--and an ongoing experiment that requires the informed participation of all citizens.
NPM will be a place for visitors from all over the world to be energized by its extraordinary power; the power that illuminated the faith of our founders and now impels us toward our destiny as a nation; the power flowing from the uniquely American spirit of brotherly love, freedom, justice, self-government and the priceless sacrifices of thousands patriots.
2. Why build the Memorial now?
John Quincy Adams once reminded the nation of “the importance of patriotic education by writing that students and citizens “should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.” The time is now a historical perspective. Many citizens have heard of the Wars of Independence---the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, but are unaware of the significance of their contributions to America and the world. The time is now.
3. What Educational Activities Will Be Offered in the National Patriot Memorial?
One of our founding fathers John Quincy Adams, in the Defense of the Constitutions (1787), argues for the importance of patriotic education by writing that students and citizens “should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.” A principal means of securing the “blessings of liberty” that the Constitution describes is by educating rising generations about these precious birth rights. The primary purpose of the National Patriotic Memorial is to cultivate civic and moral literacy among its citizens. We hope that citizens understanding of the Wars of Independence and their legacies are furthered as citizens and tourist explores this NPM.
Visitors to the national memorial will enhance their experience by participating in special programs at the memorial. Whether they want to take an in-depth look at the work of patriotic artist or introduce their children to the exciting world of art by participating in a hands-on activity, memorial visitors are sure to find a program they will enjoy. Live performances and conversations with re-enactors, lectures by visiting professors, Members of congress, scientist, and special tours led by curators –visitors are certain to enjoy programs at the memorial.
4. What Exhibits/Artifacts Will Be Display in the National Patriotic Memorial?
A rich collection of objects, art, manuscripts, and printed works from the period of the American Revolution and the War of 1812 will be exhibited in the National Memorial. War of Independence Exhibits will tell the stories of the men and women of the 18th and 19th -centuries—black, white, and Native American, slave, indentured, and free—and the challenges they faced. The National Patriot Memorial will help the present learn from the past and to prepare for the future. Visitors will embark on 18th and 19th -century Wars of Independence adventures. Experience the debates between our founding fathers, and meet the patriots who helped build a nation. The memorial will offer a variety of ways for groups of all sizes, interests, and ages to explore the NPM, browse world-class exhibits and learn about the Wars of Independence and its importance---to preserve the patriots’ legacies and contributions to our nation’s independence for generations to come.
The memorial visitors walk in the footsteps of our nation’s patriots---the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, patriots who served in the Continental Navy, the armed forces, and soldiers. NPM experience the creation of America and how the citizens, minutemen, statesmen, militiamen, privateers, females, children, Native Americans, African-Americans, slaves and freeman, who took part or who contributed support in the Wars of Independence including our allies.
NPM---educates citizens about our allies and other patriots like Baron von Steuben, General Lafayette, Comte de Rochambeau, and Admiral de Grasse. NPM will honor our allies from … France, the West Indies, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and German who fought in support of our nation’s freedom in the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. During the wars the Americans benefited greatly from international assistance.
Some Patriots such as Aaron Grigsby who served as a privateer during the American Revolutionary War and was taken prisoner in the Caribbean are honored in the museum. Other American Patriots include General George Washington, John Quincy Adams, First Lady Dolly Madison and Generals Clinton, Greene, Knox, Cripus Attucks and Phillis Wheatley.
5. What Educational Programs are offered at the Memorial?
The Memorial offers an integrated science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum with a concentration in teaching about our nation’s history during the 18th and 19th centuries. A Digital curriculum will allow teachers and citizenship to use case studies of pivotal events in the Wars of Independence of our nation. Contrasting American values—unity and diversity, private wealth and common wealth, law and ethics, freedom and equality—serve as a framework to guide case study discussion, with each case study linking to a current event Web site. Visitors will have an opportunity to discuss what they have learned and to debate issues across the country through participation in the Virtual War of Independence. The memorial education program---to offer summer institutes for teachers from across the country. Teachers collaborating with other teachers---elementary, middle, and high school and returned to their schools with a new understanding about the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812---leading students into discussions in how we won our independence from Great Britain. The National Memorial will engage students---new methods of engaging students in learning, and a renewed enthusiasm for teaching. The emphasis of the institute is on the use of primary source materials—artifacts, documents, records, works of art, costumes, and more—to engage and inspire students in the classroom.
6. Support the National Patriot Memorial?
Nearly a decade in the making, the memorial will honor thousands of Patriots in both of the Wars of Independence. The Benjamin Harrison Society (BHS) a non-profit organization is dedicated to the creation of a Memorial in honor of patriots of the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. BHS and other historical organizations wants to commemorate the patriots of both Wars of Independence by leading a collaborative funding, design, and construction process in the creation of a memorial to honor national and international patriots contributions to world peace, and our nation’s independence.
Individuals as well as corporations can email and/or fax a letter to ask their U.S. House of Representative or Senator to cosponsor the National Patriotic Memorial and to support to this effort. Contributions, large and small, are needed to attain our goal—we will began accepting contribution’s once the legislation is passed by both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Spread the word to your friends, neighbors and acquaintances that their support is urgently needed. We need your help---please visit our website to sign the Memorial Legislation Petition or contact us at PatriotsMemorial@benjamin-harrison-society.org. You may also send an email to your members of the U.S. House of Representative and your Senators by clicking the following website:
U.S. Senate
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
U.S. House of Representatives
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml
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