Things to See & Do

Join historian Joanne Freeman for a compelling exploration of the Revolutionary era and the ideas, conflicts, and personalities that shaped the founding of the United States. Drawing on her extensive research into early American politics and public life, Freeman will examine how debates over power, democracy, and citizenship continue to resonate today. This engaging conversation offers new perspectives on the people and choices behind the nation’s beginnings.

Ben Cosgrove is a composer-performer whose music explores themes of landscape, place, and environment. Described as “a sonic plein-air painter… [using] his piano as a paintbrush,” Ben has collaborated with groups ranging from rock bands to research scientists, contributed music to several radio and film projects and held residencies and fellowships with institutions including NASA, Harvard University, and myriad national parks. Quintessentially American, Cosgrove is "an expert at painting sonic portraits of curious, unexpected places." He will perform his latest album, Topograph, inspired by land-shaping processes around the country.

What motivates collecting, and who decides what is worth preserving? Explore multiple, creative perspectives on the work of museum collecting, past and present, with emerging scholars and keynote speaker Mark Dion.