South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV), the College of Charleston, SC250 and SC250 Charleston will welcome celebrated, award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns to Charleston for an exclusive preview of the new series, The American Revolution, directed by Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. The May 14 event includes a screening of excerpts from the upcoming documentary airing on SCETV’s network and public television stations across the nation beginning Nov. 16. The screening will be followed by a discussion moderated by SCETV President and CEO Adrienne Fairwell with Burns, American historian Dr. Kathleen DuVal and Dr. Walter Edgar, noted South Carolina historian and host of Walter Edgar's Journal for SC Public Radio.
Earlier on May 14, Burns will join event partner leadership for a press conference at 11 a.m. on the College of Charleston Cistern. Following the press conference, students from Westwood High School in Columbia and Jerry Zucker Middle School in Charleston will join Burns for a tour of Marion Square, providing a unique educational experience on the city's role in the American Revolution. A massive structure once dominated the site of Marion Square between 1758 and 1784 forming one of the most impressive military posts of the American Revolution.
The special preview of The American Revolution begins at 7 p.m. at the College of Charleston’s Sottile Theatre and will feature clips from the documentary about South Carolina’s pivotal yet often overlooked role in the war, setting the stage for an engaging conversation about the documentary’s impact.
Ken Burns, widely recognized as one of the greatest documentary filmmakers of our time, has dedicated his career to chronicling the American experience through films such as The Civil War, Baseball and Jazz, as well as documentaries on national parks, the Roosevelts, Mark Twain and Jackie Robinson. Having produced films for PBS for over 25 years, he has earned numerous accolades, including Emmy and Peabody awards, with works like The Vietnam War and Country Music offering deep explorations of pivotal moments and cultural influences in American history.
Dr. Walter Edgar hosts two programs on SC Public Radio, Walter Edgar's Journal and South Carolina from A to Z, and has had a distinguished career as a historian, author and professor at the University of South Carolina, where he served as director of the Institute for Southern Studies and held esteemed academic titles before retiring in 2012. He has written or edited numerous works on South Carolina history, including Partisans & Redcoats: The Southern Conflict that Turned the Tide of the American Revolution and South Carolina: A History.
Dr. Kathleen DuVal specializes in early North American and American Indian history at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She is the author of Independence Lost: Lives on the Edge of the American Revolution as well as The Native Ground: Indians and Colonists in the Heart of the Continent and has contributed to numerous scholarly journals and publications. She is featured in The American Revolution, for which she also served as an advisor.
In addition to the May 14 event, SCETV is partnering with SC250 on content to be released in 2026, recognizing the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. SC250’s mission is to commemorate and highlight South Carolina’s role in the war by educating, engaging and inspiring both residents and visitors. This content will spotlight untold stories of individuals whose experiences helped shape America’s future.
The American Revolution is a six-part, 12-hour documentary series that examines how America’s founding turned the world upside-down. Thirteen British colonies on the Atlantic Coast rose in rebellion, won their independence, and established a new form of government that radically reshaped the continent and inspired centuries of democratic movements around the globe.
The much-anticipated series, which has been in production for eight years, was directed and produced by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt and written by long-time collaborator Geoffrey C. Ward. The filmmakers and PBS scheduled the broadcast for 2025, the 250th anniversary of the start of the war, which began in the spring of 1775, more than a year before the Declaration of Independence.
The American Revolution will premiere on Nov. 16 on ETV-HD and air for six consecutive nights through Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. Viewers outside South Carolina can check local listings for additional broadcast times. The full series will also be available for streaming on PBS.org and in the PBS App.
More information on the event can be found on the SCETV website.
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 film 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.
QUOTES
“We are honored to partner with the College of Charleston, SC250 and SC250 Charleston to bring The American Revolution to South Carolina ahead of its November release. Ken Burns and his team have once again crafted a compelling and deeply researched documentary that sheds light on the complexities of our nation’s founding. We’re excited to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of America while highlighting the significance of South Carolina’s story during the war for independence.” –SCETV President and CEO Adrienne Fairwell
“South Carolina is critical to the story of the American Revolution. It was ground zero for the southern theater and witnessed more battles than any other state, including hugely important victories that contributed to our nation’s independence. I’m excited to visit Charleston and share some early clips from our film, as well as to meet with students who are exploring their country and community’s history.” –The American Revolution Director Ken Burns
“The College of Charleston is proud to partner with SCETV, SC250 and SC250 Charleston to host Ken Burns, his creative team and many distinguished historians and guests to discuss the importance of South Carolina and its people in the creation of our nation. It is most fitting to have this discussion at an institution founded in 1770, a time when Americans began working collaboratively to find a new way forward.” –College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu
“South Carolina played a crucial role in securing America’s independence, yet its contributions are often overlooked. As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary era, SC250 is proud to partner with SCETV, the College of Charleston and SC250 Charleston to bring this extraordinary documentary to our state. Ken Burns’ work captures the stories of resilience and sacrifice and provides a powerful opportunity to reflect on South Carolina’s legacy in shaping our nation.” –SC250 CEO Molly Fortune
“SC250 Charleston is excited for the upcoming release of The American Revolution later this year. We believe this new series by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt will reintroduce the American Revolution, and particularly South Carolina’s central role in that conflict, to a new generation eager to know more about how our nation secured its independence.” – SC250 Charleston Board Member Rob Shenk
FAST FACTS
- SCETV, in partnership with the College of Charleston, SC250 and SC250 Charleston, will host a preview screening of The American Revolution on May 14 at 7 p.m. at the College of Charleston’s Sottile Theatre, followed by a discussion moderated by SCETV President and CEO Adrienne Fairwell with Burns, American historian Dr. Kathleen DuVal and Dr. Walter Edgar.
- Burns will join event leadership for a press conference on the College of Charleston Cistern. Following the press conference, students from Westwood High School in Columbia and Jerry Zucker Middle School in Charleston will join Burns for a tour of Marion Square.
- The American Revolution, directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, explores the complexities of the nation’s founding and the extraordinary individuals who shaped the eight-year War for Independence.
- The American Revolution will premiere on Nov. 16 on ETV-HD and airs for six consecutive nights through Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. Viewers outside South Carolina can check local listings for additional broadcast times. The full series will also be available for streaming on PBS.org and in the PBS App.
About South Carolina ETV and Public Radio
South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) is the state's public educational broadcasting network. SCETV amplifies South Carolina voices, provides educational experiences and strengthens communities, while working toward creating a stronger, more connected and informed South Carolina. In addition to airing local programs, such as The Know Show, Making It Grow, and This Week in South Carolina, SCETV also presents multiple programs to regional and national audiences, including Books By The River, After Action, Reconnecting Roots, Reel South, Somewhere South, Yoga in Practice, Downing of a Flag and Southern Songwriters with Patrick Davis.
About PBS
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About the College of Charleston
Located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is a nationally recognized, public liberal arts and sciences university. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. Its beautiful and historic campus, combined with contemporary facilities, cutting-edge programs and accessible faculty, attracts students from across the U.S. and around the world.
Media Contact
Landon Masters
media@scetv.org
(803) 737-3337
