Screening Reel of "The American Revolution" with Mark Contreras, President & CEO of Connecticut Public

This program is part of our year-long celebration of 'America 250,' the Semiquincentennial of our country's founding.  

Please join Darien Library for a screening reel of "The American Revolution" a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt with introductory remarks from Mark Contreras, President & CEO of Connecticut Public, our statewide PBS station. 

About the Series

Thirteen American colonies unite in rebellion, win an eight-year war to secure their independence, and establish a new form of government that would inspire democratic movements at home and around the globe. What begins as a political clash between colonists and the British government grows into a bloody struggle that will engage more than two dozen nations and forever change the world. 

"The American Revolution" is a six-part, 12-hour documentary series that explores the country’s founding struggle and its eight-year War for Independence. The film is directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt and written by Geoffrey Ward.

About Mark Contreras

Mark Contreras, President and Chief Executive Officer of Connecticut Public, has led several media businesses through digital transformation. Prior to his role as Dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University, Contreras served as CEO of Calkins Media, a privately-held local television, digital and local newspaper publishing company. Calkins developed innovative strategies to maximize audience reach, engagement and revenue by embracing streaming media platforms such as Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV. He previously led local newspaper publishing and digital businesses for three public companies including Capital Cities/ABC; Pulitzer, Inc; and The E.W. Scripps Co.

In addition, he served as Chairman of the News Media Association and the American Press Institute. He is a Fellow of the Millennium Class of Henry Crown Fellows of the Aspen Institute. He serves on the Board of Directors of Highlights for Children in Columbus, Ohio and Woodward Communications, Inc in Dubuque, Iowa. Mark has an A.B. in History from the University of Chicago and a MBA from the Harvard Business School.

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 AMERICAN REVOLUTION 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.

The President's Series

Welcome to the President's Series —an engaging collection of special events hosted by Darien Library in collaboration with the President of the Board and members of the Library Board of Trustees.

On July 4, 2026, the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This act, which formally separated the 13 colonies from British rule, shook and reshaped the world. The “American experiment” rested on the revolutionary idea that legitimate government rests on the consent of the governed. Independence did not come easily or without grave cost. The American Revolution last seven long years, with tens of thousands of lives lost. 

Today, historians, philosophers, and people worldwide continue to study the Founding, the principles of democratic republicanism, and its evolution over the past 250 years. Darien Library joins museums, libraries, educational and cultural institutions nationwide in commemorating the semiquincentennial, known as “America 250,” through a series of public programs that celebrate American history and reflect on our nation’s continuing pursuit of a more perfect union.

We invite you to join us for this 6-part special series featuring films, history talks, folk music, and more.