Stories of Science: Revolutionary Ideas with Thomas Paine!

Join us in our museum as we welcome special guest Thomas Paine as presented by re-enactor Dean Howarth.

A Visit from Thomas Paine: 10am–2pm

Paine’s writings inspired the revolutionary cause, but few know that he himself was inspired by a different revolution: the Scientific Revolution. Get to know patriot, pamphleteer, AND SCIENTIST, Thomas Paine and explore the science of liberty—the principles, inventions, and radical ideas that built a nation.

Visitors to our museum will also get to experience additional interactive activities designed for science lovers of all ages.

Take a close look at interesting items from our handling collection. Visit our handling collection table this week to discover what rainbows can reveal through spectroscopy and refractometry. Stop by our Object Explorer touch table to learn about the science behind everyday items like refrigerators and LED light bulbs. Explore our collection with one of our many fun scavenger hunts. And chat with our experienced Gallery Guides to find out more about the people responsible for the science embedded in our daily lives.

During your visit, you can also check out our themed “drop-in” tours at 11:30am and 2pm. This week at 2pm our gallery guides will take visitors through our Flash, Bang, Boom! exhibition to learn more about the history of fireworks.

Stories of Science takes place weekly on Saturdays. Admission is free and reservations are not required.

About the Performer

Dean Howarth is veteran teacher with over 35 years of experience in both public and private high schools in northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. He teaches physics, astronomy, science history, in the classroom and through living history narratives. His unique approach to STEM Education invokes the “stories of science” and invites the curious to query and discuss, watch and engage in demonstrations, and participate in was then called “natural philosophy”. He has collaborated with scientific and educational institutions such as regional astronomical and science societies, planetariums, universities, national science festivals, and notable institutions like the Smithsonian. Learn more about his mission at livinghistoriesofscience.com.

Stories of Science takes place weekly on Saturdays. Admission is free and reservations are not required.

Featured image: “The Friends of the People” etching by Isaac Cruikshank depicting Thomas Paine and Joseph Priestley, 1792.