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   Recently, the Crosslake Area Library was one of 41 libraries nationwide to receive a PBS microgrant to bring programming to the area in celebration of the airing of The American Revolution, the highly anticipated new documentary from Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, which starts on Sunday, November 16th.  Events will continue through July 4th with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

   We kick off our programming with two “Talking about a Revolution” events. The first is a 26-minute Sneak Peek of the PBS documentary followed by a discussion with Professor David Gray from Brainerd’s Central Lakes College on Thursday, November 6th at 3:30 p.m.  

   The documentary, about America’s founding struggle, will present the story of the men and women of the Revolutionary generation, their humanity in victory and defeat, and the crisis that they lived through. By weaving together accounts of American political leaders and their British counterparts with the perspectives of the so-called ordinary people who waged and witnessed war, The American Revolution will be an expansive, evenhanded look at the virtues and the contradictions in the fight for independence and the birth of the United States.

   For our second event,  Carleton College professor, historian and author Serena Zabin will present: The Boston Massacre: A Family History on Thursday, November 13th at 3:30 p.m. Zabin’s book The Boston Massacre: A Family History, offers a fresh and deeply human perspective on one of the most iconic events leading up to the American Revolution. Rather than focusing solely on the political tensions between colonists and British soldiers, the author explores the personal relationships and social dynamics that shaped the conflict. Zabin combs through journals, newspapers and official records to reconstruct the lives of individuals—both soldiers and civilians—whose stories have long been overshadowed by revolutionary rhetoric.

   So come join us in Conference Room #1 of the Crosslake Community Center, 14126 Daggett Pine Road. Lakeland PBS will be handing out promotional goodies to participants. If you have any questions, please call 218-692-5275 or write to [email protected].

   These events are funded by PBS through corporate sponsorship.

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