Browse Exhibits (39 total)

The American Revolution was not only a crucial battle for independence but also a turning point for the advancements of medical practices. With rising casualty numbers on all sides, the demand for effective medical care became more necessary than ever. As the war progressed, new medical practices and techniques had emerged, laying the foundation for modern medicine.

Surgeons during this era faced boundless challenges, including limited knowledge, poor conditions of hospitals, and a lack of proper tools. Many surgical procedures were performed with little understanding of infection including the spread of illnesses, and soldiers often died from both wounds and the treatments themselves. Journals and articles regarding important recordings of information regarding medical techniques explores the evolution of surgery during the Revolutionary War, focusing on the trial-and-error of medical treatments. Surgeons such as Dominique-Jean Larrey, who worked with the French military, made remarkable contributions by documenting their findings on battlefield surgeries, including amputations and abdominal operations. American surgeons also faced similar challenges, performing surgeries in unfit hospitals with limited resources. As the war progressed, surgeons began to gain a better understanding of surgical techniques and disease prevention, though many soldiers still died due to poor conditions and lack of proper treatment. Even with these difficulties, the experiences of  surgeons helped pave the way for advances in medical care that would shape future practices.

The impact of diseases like smallpox and “jail fever” on soldiers during the war was immense, as well as the efforts of physicians and surgeons to improve hospital conditions and reduce death of soldiers and other injured individuals. Surgeons’ findings led to revolutionary changes in healthcare and helped influence the development of modern medicine. While the medical knowledge of the time was not ideal, the techniques learned during the American Revolution laid foundations for significant improvements in medicine and surgery in the years that followed. From surgeries and wounds on the battlefield to the advances in understanding illnesses and diseases, This exhibit will show how the American Revolution played a valuable role in the development of medical practices that continue to shape healthcare.

Why and how did political parties begin to form in the 1790s?  This is the question I have decided to research for this project. I have chosen this topic because of the state of our politics right now, and I am curious as to how and why this all started. I believe if I understood why the parties started, it would make more sense to me why our elective system is the way it is today. The audience is the American people, considering it is an election year, it is important to learn about how this all came to be. It may make us all think differently about how our government is run now, positively or negatively. My thesis is the formation of political parties was driven by differing visions of America's future. Primarily the debate over federal power versus states' rights, foreign relations, and economic policies. Comparing it to the beginning of revolutionary America.  I believe it is important for materials to be available in digital form for many reasons. It helps reach a wider audience and helps people learn without having to spend money or even leave their houses. For example, I would not be able to finish this project without many digital resources, every resource I have used has been from a digital copy of the source.

The American Revolutionary War's early military operations, particularly those from 1775-1777, were not just conflicts but also revolutionary occasions that set the stage for the colonies' aspirations for independence. These operations significantly shaped the course of the war and the developing American identity. They illustrated the challenges the British and Continental armies faced regarding strategy, leadership, and resources. Critical engagements, including Lexington and Concord, the Siege of Boston, Bunker Hill, and the Saratoga Campaign, all significantly affected colonial morale and the course of the Revolutionary War during this time.

This exhibit is aimed at how the Americans managed to defeat the British through their guerilla tactics, strategic alliances with the French and other nations, and knowledge of the geography of colonial America. This research is aimed at anyone interested in learning about the Americans’ victory in the Revolutionary War, but more specifically, the military and battle-focused side of the era.