Photos courtesy of Fraunces Tavern Museum.

Fraunces Tavern Museum has announced a new program, Liberty 250, in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The program, which was launched in April of this year, is a multi-year series of exhibitions, lectures, and many other events. Being one of the oldest standing structures in Manhattan, Fraunces Tavern has experienced a lot of history itself. The building was built in 1719, and was the site of many important historical events, such as George Washington’s farewell address to his troops. 

The first installment of the exhibition, Path to Liberty: The Emergence of a Nation, now open, chronologically explains the history of the American Revolution from 1775 to 1783, focusing specifically on what happened in New York. Path to Liberty centers around the Battle of New York, which includes the Battle of Long Island (Brooklyn), the Battle of Harlem Heights, and the Battle of White Plains. This segment holds artifacts that present the early moments of the Revolutionary War, such as the battle of Lexington and Concord and the Declaration of Independence.

Retreat to Victory, Henry Hintermeister (1897-1970) Oil on canvas 1969.04.001 Gift of Charles Lauriston Livingston, Jr.

This installment features a variety of rare memorabilia from the battles, including the last known letter from Nathan Hale to his brother Enoch before he was hanged by the British as a spy. Visitors will also be able to see Joshua Webster’s pistol, which was carried by him in Glastonbury, Connecticut, during the Battle of Long Island as well as a cannonball that was excavated from Exchange Place, which is about three blocks northeast of Fraunces Tavern. 

The museum will feature quarterly lectures throughout the rest of the year, as well as other events and celebrations, including a 250th Anniversary Commemoration of British Battleship HMS Asia shooting a cannonball through the roof of the building on August 23. Later in the year in October, they will also be featuring a concert of songs from the 18th-century centering around the struggle of American independence, entitled Celebration 250: Music of the American Revolution. Further information and tickets are available on the museum’s website, frauncestavernmuseum.org.