Becoming the US: Colonial America to Reconstruction Exhibit Opening
2026-03-30 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 198 Moss Ln, Madison, MS, United States
The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System is hosting the traveling exhibit Becoming the US: Colonial America to Reconstruction, organized by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, from March 30-May 1, 2026. Becoming the US is designed to introduce viewers to the beginnings of American history and the skills involved in primary source analysis. Using items from the Gilder Lehrman Collection, it explores individuals, groups, and documents that have contributed to who we are as a country and encourages patrons to think critically about the first-hand accounts of this era. ​The exhibit is open to the public and available for viewing during regular operating hours Monday through Thursday 9am to 6pm, Fridays 9am to 2pm, and Saturdays 9am to 2pm.​ ​To learn more about the exhibit, visit www.gilderlehrman.org/programs-and-events/traveling-exhibitions/becoming-united-states-colonial-america-reconstruction. ​For more information on the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, visit www.gilderlehrman.org. ​For more information, call the CLPLS at 662-329-5300.

Fashioning a Revolution: How Americans Bought, Fought, and Taught Their New Nation into Being
2026-03-31 17:30 - 18:30 | Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 198 Moss Ln, Madison, MS, United States
Dr. Peter Messer will open the traveling exhibit Becoming the US: Colonial America to Reconstruction with his talk Fashioning a Revolution: How Americans Bought, Fought, and Taught Their New Nation into Being on Tuesday, March 31 at 5:30pm at the downtown branch of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System.​ ​Dr. Messer is a historian of Early American politics and culture at Mississippi State University. His interest lies in the theory and practice of politics in eighteenth-century America, particularly the intersection of natural historical thought and nation building in the era of the Early American Republic. In 2005, he published Stories of Independence: Identity, Ideology, and History in Eighteenth-Century America.​ ​He is currently working on a book manuscript: Adultery, Church Pews, Oysters, and Tea: The Very Local Origins of the American Revolution in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. ​This program is sponsored by a Mississippi Humanities Council America250 Grant. For more information, call the CLPLS at 662-329-5300.

Film Screening: "The Times that Try Men's Souls"
2026-04-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Nissan Auditorium, MUW, 1100 College Street, Columbus, 39701, United States
Mississippi University for Women presents “The Times that Try Men’s Souls,” the third episode from the new Ken Burns documentary, The American Revolution.
This episode covers the period from July 1776 to January 1777. The Revolution, now a war for American independence, faces its toughest challenge yet as General Washington tries to defend New York City from invasion by sea. The resulting Battle of Long Island is a huge defeat for the Americans, who narrowly escape and spend the next several months on the run. In late December, Washington’s army regroups and prepares to attack an outpost in Trenton, New Jersey. Learn more about the episode, the key players, and critical documents at PBS.
​The entire documentary is 6 episodes total with each episode running approximately 2 hours in length.
​Admission is free and open to the public.​
​For more information, call the MUW Department of History, Political Science, and Geography at (662) 329-7390.

Film Screening: "The Times that Try Men's Souls"
2026-04-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Nissan Auditorium (Inside Parkinson Hall)
Mississippi University for Women presents “The Times that Try Men’s Souls,” the third episode from the new Ken Burns documentary, The American Revolution. This episode covers the period from July 1776 to January 1777. The Revolution, now a war for American independence, faces its toughest challenge yet as General Washington tries to defend New York City from invasion by sea. The resulting Battle of Long Island is a huge defeat for the Americans, who narrowly escape and spend the next several months on the run. In late December, Washington’s army regroups and prepares to attack an outpost in Trenton, New Jersey. Learn more about the episode, the key players, and critical documents at PBS. ​The entire documentary is 6 episodes total with each episode running approximately 2 hours in length. The W will show all episodes throughout 2026. ​Admission is free and open to the public.​ ​For more information, call the MUW Department of History, Political Science, and Geography at (662) 329-7390.

Film Screening: "Conquer by a Drawn Game"
2026-08-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Nissan Auditorium, MUW, 1100 College Street, Columbus, 39701, United States
Mississippi University for Women presents “Conquer by a Drawn Game,” the fourth episode from the new Ken Burns documentary, The American Revolution.
This episode covers the period from January 1777 to February 1778. As America braces for a third year of devastating war, British commanders launch campaigns to take Albany and Philadelphia. General Howe beats General Washington at Brandywine and Germantown, while the Continental Congress flees Philadelphia. But the Americans’ surprising victory over General Burgoyne at Saratoga opens the door for France to officially support the United States.
​The entire documentary is 6 episodes total with each episode running approximately 2 hours in length.
​Admission is free and open to the public.​
​For more information, call the MUW Department of History, Political Science, and Geography at (662) 329-7390.

Film Screening: "Conquer by a Drawn Game"
2026-08-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Nissan Auditorium (Inside Parkinson Hall)
Mississippi University for Women presents “Conquer by a Drawn Game,” the fourth episode from the new Ken Burns documentary, The American Revolution. This episode covers the period from January 1777 to February 1778. As America braces for a third year of devastating war, British commanders launch campaigns to take Albany and Philadelphia. General Howe beats General Washington at Brandywine and Germantown, while the Continental Congress flees Philadelphia. But the Americans’ surprising victory over General Burgoyne at Saratoga opens the door for France to officially support the United States. ​The entire documentary is 6 episodes total with each episode running approximately 2 hours in length. The W will show all episodes throughout 2026. ​​Admission is free and open to the public.​ ​For more information, call the MUW Department of History, Political Science, and Geography at (662) 329-7390.

Film Screening & Costume Contest: "The Soul of All America"
2026-10-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Nissan Auditorium, MUW, 1100 College Street, Columbus, 39701, United States
Mississippi University for Women presents “The Soul of All America,” the fifth episode from the new Ken Burns documentary, The American Revolution, but this time, we’re dressing up for Halloween! Come in your most authentic Revolutionary garb; the best-dressed patriot will win a prize!
The fifth episode covers the period from December 1777 through May 1780. George Washington and the Continental Army spend the winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Conditions are horrible. Many soldiers are sick, clothing is scarce, and men go for days with barely any food. People die, and as morale plummets, other men simply go home. There is talk of mutiny. Slowly, Washington turns things around, but the French-American alliance changes the war and moves it to other theaters: the sea, in Indian Country, and in the South. Navies battle off England and in the Caribbean, while armies advance in Indian Country and the South; the British take Charleston. Learn more about the episode, the key players, and critical documents at PBS.
​The entire documentary is 6 episodes total with each episode running approximately 2 hours in length.
​Admission is free and open to the public.​
​For more information, call the MUW Department of History, Political Science, and Geography at (662) 329-7390.

Film Screening & Costume Contest: "The Soul of All America"
2026-10-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Nissan Auditorium (Inside Parkinson Hall)
Mississippi University for Women presents “The Soul of All America,” the fifth episode from the new Ken Burns documentary, The American Revolution, but this time, we’re dressing up for Halloween! Come in your most authentic Revolutionary garb; the best-dressed patriot will win a prize! The fifth episode covers the period from December 1777 through May 1780. George Washington and the Continental Army spend the winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Conditions are horrible. Many soldiers are sick, clothing is scarce, and men go for days with barely any food. People die, and as morale plummets, other men simply go home. There is talk of mutiny. Slowly, Washington turns things around, but the French-American alliance changes the war and moves it to other theaters: the sea, in Indian Country, and in the South. Navies battle off England and in the Caribbean, while armies advance in Indian Country and the South; the British take Charleston. Learn more about the episode, the key players, and critical documents at PBS. ​The entire documentary is 6 episodes total with each episode running approximately 2 hours in length. The W is showing all episodes throughout 2026. ​Admission is free and open to the public.​ ​For more information, call the MUW Department of History, Political Science, and Geography at (662) 329-7390.

Film Screening: "The Most Sacred Thing"
2026-12-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Nissan Auditorium, MUW, 1100 College Street, Columbus, 39701, United States
Mississippi University for Women presents “The Soul of All America,” the sixth and final episode from the new Ken Burns documentary, The American Revolution, but this time, we’re dressing up for Halloween! Come in your most authentic Revolutionary garb; the best-dressed patriot will win a prize!
The final episode covers the period from May 1780 through the drafting of the Constitution in the summer of 1787 and George Washington’s selection as the first president of the United States of America. Learn more about the episode, the key players, and critical documents at PBS.
​The entire documentary is 6 episodes total with each episode running approximately 2 hours in length.
​Admission is free and open to the public.​
​For more information, call the MUW Department of History, Political Science, and Geography at (662) 329-7390.

Film Screening: "The Most Sacred Thing"
2026-12-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Nissan Auditorium (Inside Parkinson Hall)
