Emmy-Nominated Darley Newman Invited Trust Participation as She Takes a "Revolutionary Road Trip" at Smithsonian

(Washington, D.C.) — When renowned television host, writer and producer Darley Newman takes center stage tonight at the Ripley Center for an event hosted by Smithsonian Associates, she’ll be joined by a panel of distinguished travel and history experts — including American Battlefield Trust President David Duncan. Together, they’ll prime viewers for the exciting Revolutionary War-tied destinations featured in the forthcoming season of her show.  

More than talking about just 18th-century events, panelists will talk about what today’s traveler can expect if they set out for historically significant sites like Charleston, South Carolina, Trenton, New Jersey and Saratoga, New York. Newman, having recently traveled this very route to film the inaugural six episodes of her Revolutionary Road Trip TV series, shared her experiences. The episodes form part of her PBS Travels with Darley season that launched in January, setting the stage for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.  

Duncan, president of the American Battlefield Trust, spotlighted Berkeley County and Camden, South Carolina – a gateway site in the Liberty Trail initiative – while also advocating visits to other battlefields. Rita D. McClenny, president and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corp., offered a glimpse into Virginia’s rich history, focusing on Prince William County with its ties to the Revolutionary War along the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail and at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Carrie Fellows, executive director of Crossroads of the American Revolution, led an exploration of New Jersey sites from the Ten Crucial days, to wrenching wither quarters. Saratoga County historian Lauren Roberts highlighted her community’s battlefields, mineral springs, horse racing and more.  

To celebrate the launch of the episodes, special screenings were held in Prince William County in Virginia and Morris Museum in New Jersey — both prominently features in the episodes. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Woodbridge, Prince William County, hosted a screening where attendees enjoyed highlights from the county’s own Manassas National Battlefield Park and the Ben Lomond Historic Site. In the Garden State, Morris Museum held a screening of the new Morristown and Princeton focused episodes of Travels with Darley.  

For nearly six decades, Smithsonian Associates, the world’s largest museum-based education program, has been a beacon of educational and cultural programming, bringing the Smithsonian to life. With almost 1,000 public programs, the Smithsonian’s research, collections and exhibitions excited learning in people of all ages. 

The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 58,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War across 155 sites in 25 states. Learn more at www.battlefields.org. 

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