The New York Historical has announced Revolutionary Women, a new exhibition opening May 29, 2026, that aims to recast women as central figures in the founding of the United States.
On view through Oct. 25 in the Joyce B. Cowin Women’s History Gallery, the exhibition marks the nation’s semiquincentennial by moving beyond traditional myths to examine the documented labor and political influence of 18th-century women.
“To understand the history of our nation, we must look at what is revealed in the margins of the traditional narrative,” said Dr. Louise Mirrer, president and CEO of The New York Historical. “This exhibition moves past symbolism to center the real expertise and labor of women who navigated a world of blurred allegiances to help found the United States.”
Drawing on primary sources from the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, the exhibition features letters, financial ledgers, and archaeological artifacts—including children’s toys and shoe soles excavated from military camps. These items provide evidence of women’s roles as business owners, intelligence couriers, and financial investors.
The exhibition highlights several key figures and historical corrections:
- Margaret Corbin: Military records confirm Corbin, often associated with the “Molly Pitcher” legend, was the first woman to receive a federal pension after being wounded in combat.
- Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman: Documentation traces her 1781 court case, which set the legal precedent to abolish slavery in Massachusetts.
- Molly Brant: A Mohawk woman whose diplomatic service is evidenced by a British government pension letter on display.
- Mary Alexander and Rebecca Gomez: Business ledgers from the Tontine Coffee House identify these women as active participants in the early American financial system and transatlantic trade.
The narrative also follows women into the post-war era, showing how they utilized the legal system to assert property rights and established the nation’s early social infrastructure through educational and philanthropic institutions. Featured items include a sampler from the New-York African Free-School and a portrait of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, co-founder of the Orphan Asylum Society.
Revolutionary Women is curated by the staff of the Center for Women’s History, including director Anna Danziger Halperin and fellows from the Mellon Foundation.
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Lily Vakili is set to release her intimate six-song Live Wire EP May 8 (pre-save here). Recorded with her collaborator, the Grammy-Award winning, Emmy-nominated producer/engineer Reed Turchi, Live Wire an old-school, live in-studio, audio and video recording of songs named for what fans and critics alike say is a perfect description of her charismatic performance style. She will be playing a special EP release show in NYC on May 6 at Francis Kite Club – get tickets here and in Philadelphia May 20 at Nikki Lopez – get tickets here.
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