Ken Burns Appears In Lexington to Preview New Doc The American Revolution
The noise in Cary Hall was resounding as almost 900 adults and students poured in to participate in the discussion of Ken Burns’ new film, “The American Revolution,” two days before Lexington’s Patriots’ Day celebration.
In introducing the discussion, Dr. Julie Hackett talked about her memories of the Bicentennial and asked the students to imagine themselves at the 275th celebration.
Burns was joined by co-director Sarah Botstein and historian Rick Atkinson, author of The British Are Coming and The Fate of the Day along with Lexington history teacher Ramille Romulus. Following approximately 40 minutes previews of the six-part series, the filmmakers, Atkinson, and Ramille Romulus, a social studies teacher for 8th graders at Clarke and Diamond Middle Schools, held a conversation focusing on the questions that had been previously asked by the students.
Romulus first asked the filmmakers and Atkinson where or when did they get their love for history. Burns reminisced about his history teacher telling the story of Rasputin’s death and how exciting he had made it. Others had similar memories. In their work, they endeavor to tell their story using scenes from nature, music, pictures from the past, and experts to bring it alive today. They agreed that they were storytellers, but the story of the American Revolution has complications – such as Benedict Arnold.
Atkinson pointed out that the American Revolution was a civil revolution. With a few exceptions, it was a revolution that overlooked three groups: women, slaves, and Native Americans. Yet these groups were all affected by it.
Despite living in Lexington and writing about Lexington history, I hadn’t known that when the war between England and her American colony began, the members of the Six Nation Confederacy lived in peace. Its members did not fully understand why the English were quarreling with one another and had no desire to be drawn into the conflict. In the end, the civil war aspects of the American Revolution spilled over into the Six Nations, and only two tribes sided with the American cause.
In New England, many African Americans were willing to fight against the British. The army was a means for them to find steady work and a better future. Eventually, all states north of the Potomac River recruited slaves for military service, usually in exchange for their freedom. But that wasn’t true in other colonies.
One question focused on how the Revolutionary theme reflected the current political climate. Burns pointed out that the American Revolution was the most consequential revolution in history. “Our job,” “Burns said, “is to let the material dictate the tone. Our job is to breathe life into those inanimate objects that we are willing to die for.”
Earlier in the day, Burns explained that he “has been coming to Lexington for 55 years, and this is the best day that I’ve ever been here. As a young boy I grew up dreaming of this mythical place called Lexington. I had the opportunity to come here and see the statue of Parker and thought about what had taken place here. On November 16th PBS will begin broadcasting and streaming our 12-hour, 6-part history of the American Revolution.” He added that the first episode addresses the ‘Shot Heard Around the World.’ Prior to the discussion, Ken Burns and Rick Atkinson sat down with Lexington Times publisher Jim Shaw to discuss the six-part series. Shaw spoke with both Burns and Atkinson about the beginning of the war, it’s escalation of violence, and Lexington’s role beyond the Battle of Lexington. Burns also speaks about his interest in engaging young minds, which is why he reserves half or more of his discussion seatings for middle school students. You can see the interview at www.youtube.com/@lexmediatv.
Finally, Lexington native and chair of the history department at Carleton College, Serena Zabin is prominently featured in the series. Zabin is the author of the recently published The Boston Massacre; A Family History.
American Revolution will begin broadcasting on PBS on November 16, 2025.