As the nation prepares for the America 250 celebrations in 2026, the meaning of patriotism feels especially resonant. Few organizations embody that spirit more fully than the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), whose members work to preserve the legacy of those who fought for American independence. Members of the SAR are all direct descendants of someone who fought in the Revolutionary War.
By the spring of 1776, the question of independence was on the minds of those living in the thirteen American colonies. The Patriots were winning the hearts and minds of many; however, for various reasons, not every colonist was in favor of breaking ties with Great Britain.
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The spring and summer of 2026, when the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, is a fitting moment to commit to refamiliarizing ourselves as a nation with the complexities surrounding this historical document and the process through which it was created, as well as the ideals it espouses the American people—and its government—to live up to. The Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area’s award-winning program, Declaring Independence: Then & Now provides the opportunity to do so.
In colonial America, taverns were commonplace throughout Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. But these early American taprooms were much more than just watering holes. They served an important purpose in the community as a place for townsfolk to gather and plan. This proved especially important in the years leading up to the Revolution. Taverns became Patriot refuges, where decisions were made about separation from the Crown and what a more democratic form of government would look like. As British-colonial relations finally boiled over, taverns became meeting spots for Patriot militias to assemble and prepare for battle.
