Becoming America is an educational initiative that tells the story of early America through the lens of the middle colonies, accenting their distinct flavor and experiences. Early America, particularly the middle colonies, was filled with a variety of peoples, each with their own histories, their own cultures and convictions, with their own voices and unique contributions.
Since 2002, Becoming America makes these stories accessible to the public through travelling educational displays, combining rich images and tangible objects with engaging narratives, to help communities throughout Pennsylvania celebrate their connection to the stories of early America.
Through a broad collection of Smithsonian-quality artifacts and original documents, Becoming America’s archive of artifacts brings yesterday’s stories to life in a way that connects with today’s world.
We celebrate all the various peoples present in early America— the indigenous Haudenosaunee and Lenne Lenape peoples, the early French, Swedish and Dutch settlers who organized the first communities, and the waves of persecuted and displaced peoples seeking a different way of life. We explore the ethnic, cultural, and religious distinctions among Pennsylvania’s various peoples, the circumstances leading to multiple migrations, and the confluence of cultures experienced in William Penn’s uniquely designed society.
We illustrate the rise of early commerce, the development of the iron industry, the evolution of transportation from rivers to trails to roads and rails, and the transformation of the American interior from forest to farmland. We accent Pennsylvania’s important contribution in the defense of American liberties, including the persuasive personalities and collaborative convictions instrumental in bringing the separate colonies together. We depict the experience of the American frontier in its war for independence, accenting the last battles of the American Revolution and the movement into the Great Lakes and Ohio region despite England’s ongoing interference.
Dr. Robert Guy tells the powerful story of Colonel William Thompson and the world that shaped him—tracing the rise of a frontier immigrant, soldier, and leader who helped forge the earliest Continental Army. Through his life of courage, conviction, and sacrifice, we see how ordinary men became extraordinary builders of a new nation, and how their legacy continues to define the meaning of American independence.
Dr. Robert Guy explores the remarkable life and legacy of Colonel William Thompson, a frontier leader, patriot, and the first colonel of the United States Army whose courage, sacrifice, and leadership helped shape the founding of a nation.
Dr. Robert Guy tells the powerful story of Colonel William Thompson and the world that shaped him—tracing the rise of a frontier immigrant, soldier, and leader who helped forge the earliest Continental Army. Through his life of courage, conviction, and sacrifice, we see how ordinary men became extraordinary builders of a new nation, and how their legacy continues to define the meaning of American independence.
Dr. Robert Guy explores the remarkable life and legacy of Colonel William Thompson, a frontier leader, patriot, and the first colonel of the United States Army whose courage, sacrifice, and leadership helped shape the founding of a nation.
Through the remarkable journey of German immigrant, rifle maker, and Revolutionary War soldier Ludwig Snyder, Dr. Robert Guy explores the courage, sacrifice, and perseverance of ordinary Americans whose service helped secure the nation's independence. Drawing on family history and historical records, this three-part series reveals how one man's story reflects the larger story of America's founding.
Dr. Robert Guy is joined by Professor Tom Snyder, Teresa Stout—Ludwig Snyder's fourth great-granddaughter—and her son, Warren Stout, to trace Ludwig Snyder's journey from the forests of Germany to the battlefields of the American Revolution. Together, they explore how a young immigrant apprentice and rifle maker became a Continental soldier who crossed the Delaware with George Washington and helped secure the pivotal victory at Trenton. Through historical insight and family memories, this episode reveals how ordinary people shaped extraordinary moments in America's founding.
As the war intensifies, Ludwig Snyder endures some of the most defining and brutal campaigns of the American Revolution—from Brandywine and Germantown to Paoli, Stony Point, and the winter at Valley Forge. Wounded in battle and tested by hardship, Snyder remains with Washington’s army through moments of defeat, resilience, and hard-won victory. Dr. Robert Guy traces the grit and determination that carried Snyder through the darkest seasons of the war, alongside the German-speaking riflemen who helped shape America’s fight for independence. This episode also connects Snyder’s legacy to his descendants, including former Navy SEAL Thad Turner, whose family story continues to reflect the same spirit of service, sacrifice, and perseverance across generations.
Following the final years of the Revolution, Dr. Robert Guy explores Ludwig Snyder's role in the campaigns that led to American victory and examines the legacy he left to his descendants, whose stories help preserve the memory of one of the ordinary patriots who helped build a nation.
Through the remarkable journey of German immigrant, rifle maker, and Revolutionary War soldier Ludwig Snyder, Dr. Robert Guy explores the courage, sacrifice, and perseverance of ordinary Americans whose service helped secure the nation's independence. Drawing on family history and historical records, this three-part series reveals how one man's story reflects the larger story of America's founding.
Dr. Robert Guy is joined by Professor Tom Snyder, Teresa Stout—Ludwig Snyder's fourth great-granddaughter—and her son, Warren Stout, to trace Ludwig Snyder's journey from the forests of Germany to the battlefields of the American Revolution. Together, they explore how a young immigrant apprentice and rifle maker became a Continental soldier who crossed the Delaware with George Washington and helped secure the pivotal victory at Trenton. Through historical insight and family memories, this episode reveals how ordinary people shaped extraordinary moments in America's founding.
As the war intensifies, Ludwig Snyder endures some of the most defining and brutal campaigns of the American Revolution—from Brandywine and Germantown to Paoli, Stony Point, and the winter at Valley Forge. Wounded in battle and tested by hardship, Snyder remains with Washington’s army through moments of defeat, resilience, and hard-won victory. Dr. Robert Guy traces the grit and determination that carried Snyder through the darkest seasons of the war, alongside the German-speaking riflemen who helped shape America’s fight for independence. This episode also connects Snyder’s legacy to his descendants, including former Navy SEAL Thad Turner, whose family story continues to reflect the same spirit of service, sacrifice, and perseverance across generations.
Following the final years of the Revolution, Dr. Robert Guy explores Ludwig Snyder's role in the campaigns that led to American victory and examines the legacy he left to his descendants, whose stories help preserve the memory of one of the ordinary patriots who helped build a nation.
History Sparks brings the American Revolution to life through short, unforgettable stories about the people, moments, and choices that shaped a nation. In just sixty seconds, discover the courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity behind America's founding—one remarkable story at a time.
You may have heard that the American Revolution began over tea. But for Pennsylvania rifleman Robert Dickson, the struggle was never about a beverage—it was about liberty.
Artist John Trumbull understood that even the heroes of the American Revolution could be forgotten. Traveling across the young nation, he captured their faces and stories through his paintings—preserving the memory of the men who sacrificed for American independence for generations to come.
Remembering William Thompson
Dr. Robert Guy brings to life the legacy of a Revolutionary War hero, shedding new light on the courage and leadership of Colonel William Thompson.
Be the first to get yours!
Reserve your copy of Perhaps Never to Return: Three Journals from Pennsylvania’s First Troops in the American Revolution.
Becoming America Podcast Episode 1
Artist and historian Robert Griffing joins Dr. Robert Guy in an engaging conversation about the untold heroes in Pennsylvania’s history.
Becoming America Podcast Episode 2
This is copy about episode 2 This is copy about episode 2 This is copy about episode 2 This is copy about episode 2.
America’s story is about “We the People.” But who were these people? What were their stories? Many of these people, amazing Americans, are entirely unknown to the modern world— their contributions forgotten, their stories lost, their voices silent.
Becoming America reintroduces these people, recounting their stories and recovering their voices, enabling them to speak to today’s generations of Americans. Through ongoing historical and genealogical research, we uncover and reconstruct these stories, one at a time.
With video storytelling, we plan to share the distinct perspective of these various peoples, their unique insights and timeless wisdom. Partnering with leading representatives and scholars, we continue to explore what these various perspectives, convictions and insights mean for us today!
America’s story is about “We the People.” But who were these people? What were their stories? Many of these people, amazing Americans, are entirely unknown to the modern world— their contributions forgotten, their stories lost, their voices silent.
Becoming America reintroduces these people, recounting their stories and recovering their voices, enabling them to speak to today’s generations of Americans. Through ongoing historical and genealogical research, we uncover and reconstruct these stories, one at a time.
With video storytelling, we plan to share the distinct perspective of these various peoples, their unique insights and timeless wisdom. Partnering with leading representatives and scholars, we continue to explore what these various perspectives, convictions and insights mean for us today!
These stories matter. These stories are powerful. These stories are inspiring.
As Americans grow increasingly divided and hostile, ever more disillusioned and cynical about our country, we need these stories that remind us that our nation has always been filled with diverse peoples, with multiple voices and differing points of view. America was born from these tensions as the various peoples came together to iron out the process of unity despite their differences, as the whole grows greater through the contribution of the various parts.
Many of these stories are not in our history books and are not taught in our schools. Many of these influential personalities are unfamiliar to us, their endearing convictions, their profound insights, their painstaking labors of partnership and collaboration. The true stories of these early Americans can inspire and shape a new generation of Americans, and help to change the trajectory of America’s unfolding story.
Pennsylvania’s important role in this process needs to be retold, to be known and celebrated, as it holds important insight and inspiration as Americans enter the 250th anniversary celebrations and continue to work through their differences and challenges together.
These stories matter. These stories are powerful. These stories are inspiring.
As Americans grow increasingly divided and hostile, ever more disillusioned and cynical about our country, we need these stories that remind us that our nation has always been filled with diverse peoples, with multiple voices and differing points of view. America was born from these tensions as the various peoples came together to iron out the process of unity despite their differences, as the whole grows greater through the contribution of the various parts.
Many of these stories are not in our history books and are not taught in our schools. Many of these influential personalities are unfamiliar to us, their endearing convictions, their profound insights, their painstaking labors of partnership and collaboration. The true stories of these early Americans can inspire and shape a new generation of Americans, and help to change the trajectory of America’s unfolding story.
Pennsylvania’s important role in this process needs to be retold, to be known and celebrated, as it holds important insight and inspiration as Americans enter the 250th anniversary celebrations and continue to work through their differences and challenges together.
These recent events reflect the recognition we have received for our many exhibits celebrating the French and Indian War and early American militia. They also reflect the various ways we have sought to connect Becoming America's message to people young and old in communities across the region! Visitors have overwhelmingly lavished on us praise and thanks for bringing these displays to the public, and making these meaningful stories come alive for today's audience.
These recent events reflect the recognition we have received for our many exhibits celebrating the French and Indian War and early American militia. They also reflect the various ways we have sought to connect Becoming America's message to people young and old in communities across the region! Visitors have overwhelmingly lavished on us praise and thanks for bringing these displays to the public, and making these meaningful stories come alive for today's audience.