WILLIAMSBURG, Va., May 21, 2026 – At the second Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation symposium supported by the Lilly Endowment, Inc., attendees of the “Awakening Dissent: Religion, Revolution, and Legacy” will examine how religion influenced and impacted the American Revolution during a two-day symposium May 29 & 30 at American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

On Friday, May 29 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 30 from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., guests will join religion scholars, museum professionals and community members for a free symposium studying the role of religion and revolution in early America and its connections to current day. Differing cultural concepts of religion had far-reaching impacts on the social, political and economic lives of early Americans as they set about declaring independence and building a new nation. This symposium will explore the legacies of these cultural responses still reflected in the societal fabric of America today.

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation is pleased to host New York Times best-selling author, historian and scholar, Dr. Jemar Tisby as the featured speaker of the “Awakening Dissent: Religion, Revolution and Legacy” symposium. The founder and CEO of Tisby Media – a visionary educational studio creating a moral, imaginative, and creative counterculture to disinformation, social injustice, and the politics of fear – he is also an award-winning author of “The Spirit of Justice” and international speaker on the topics of faith, history, and justice, equipping audiences with clarity, competence, and courage to pursue transformative change.

Featuring a keynote panel and breakout sessions, confirmed expert speakers are: Colt Allgood (Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation), Hakan Atasever (American Turkish Friendship Association), Harvey Bakari (Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation), Dr. Kimonee M. Burke (Charles Eastman Postdoctoral Fellow, Dartmouth College), Dr. Christopher Cameron (UNC Charlotte), John Ericson (St. Luke’s Historic Church and Museum), Dr. Kara M. French (Associate Professor, William & Mary), The Rev. Lisa Green (Historic Area Religions Together), Dr. Travis Harris (Norfolk State University), Travis Henline (Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation), James Ingram, Jr. (Living History Interpreter), Dr. Stephen Jolly (Sociologist), Rabbi David Katz (Historic Area Religions Together), Rev. Dr. Carlon L. Lassiter (Saint John Baptist Church), Rev. Dr. Fred Liggin (Williamsburg Christian Church), Dr. Christopher F. Minty (University of Virginia), T.J. Savage (Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation), Dr. Holly Snyder (Brown University).

Supported by the Lilly Endowment, Inc., which seeks to expand the discussion of religion throughout exhibition galleries and interpretation in living-history areas at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Symposium Registration

Admission to the Awakening Dissent symposium is free, with advance registration required online at jyfmuseums.org/symposium.

About American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is administered by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an educational agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and a commemorative partner of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission.

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days), American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is located on Route 1020 near the Colonial Parkway in Yorktown. Parking is free. Follow our museums on social media @jyfmuseums. For more information, call (757) 253-4838 or visit jyfmuseums.org/symposium.

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Media Contacts

Meghan van Joosten, meghan.vanjoosten@jyf.virginia.gov or (757) 253-4175
Tracy Perkins, tracy.perkins@jyf.virginia.gov or (757) 253-4114