Flag Day Celebration & US@250: Big Watch
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 12-2:30 PM
At Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock Street, Portsmouth, NH
Celebrate Flag Day at Strawbery Banke Museum with a meaningful afternoon of community, history, and civic engagement. Presented in collaboration with Portsmouth Historical Society and the Association of Historical Societies of NH, the program begins with a Flag Day ceremony, followed by family-friendly activities and refreshments, and continues with a special screening and discussion as part of a nationwide initiative.
Free and open to the public. Seating for the film screening, panel discussion, and children’s craft activity is limited; advance registration is encouraged.
Program Schedule:
12:00 PM – Flag Day Ceremony (near the Liberty Pole, Museum side of Marcy Street)
12:30 PM – Children’s craft activity & refreshments
1:00 PM – US@250: Big Watch Screening (Lawrence J. Yerdon Visitors Center)
1:30–2:30 PM – US@250: Big Watch Panel Discussion (Lawrence J. Yerdon Visitors Center)
US@250: Big Watch:
Join us to commemorate and reflect upon the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with a film screening and discussion! Together, we’ll watch a short excerpt from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, a new film directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, followed by a community discussion. The featured segment from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, “The Spirit of Service,” explores service as a core American value, from the nation’s founding through to the present day – examining volunteerism, civic participation, public leadership, and more.
The program includes a thoughtful conversation about “remembering together,” considering questions such as:
What moments from our past define who we are and point to a shared future?
What are the key historical moments in your town’s or community’s history?
How does focusing on these moments shape your sense of your community’s future?
Interested in watching the entire film series? Learn more here: https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-american-revolution
Following the screening, a live panel discussion features regional leaders in law, education, and civic life. Panelists will share diverse perspectives on civic responsibility, participation, and the evolving meaning of democracy.
Facilitator:
Courtney Marshall, New Hampshire Humanities
Panelists:
Allyson Ryder, Executive Director, NH Civics
Dr. Nancy Pearson, Former City Councilor and local government advocate
Claudia Wu, Co-founder and Co-director, Center for Civic Engagement and Service at Newton North
Big Watch programs are made possible by a partnership between New Hampshire Humanities and New Hampshire PBS, with support from Cogswell Benevolent Trust. Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
This event is made possible by New Hampshire Humanities, in partnership with NHPBS, with additional support provided by Cogswell Benevolent Trust. By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.