Who and Why We Are

The American Heritage Library and Museum is owned and operated by the Sons of the Revolution, a national organization composed solely of the posterity of those venerable men who, by their acts or counsel between April 19, 1775, when the Revolutionary War commenced, and April 19, 1783, when that conflict ceased, in the military, naval or marine service of the United States, or in the service of the Continental Congress or the congress of any of the original 13 Colonies, helped achieve America’s independence. Since December 1875, when the Sons of the Revolution was first organized in New York, these descendants have united themselves together to perpetuate their memory, fostering an historical awareness and a lasting appreciation of our nation’s heritage. 

Sons of the Revolution in the State of California

The Sons of the Revolution in the State of California was instituted in the city of Los Angeles, on the 8th day of May, 1893, and became duly incorporated under the laws of California on the 15th day of May, 1893. The Society’s incorporators being James Monroe Allen, Lieutenant Charles Lee Collins, U.S.A., Colonel Holdridge Ozro Collins, LL.D., Major William Anthony Elderkin, U.S.A., Edward Thomas Harden, and John Miner Carey Marble.  Four of these gentlemen, at that time, were members of the New York Society; one was a member of the Pennsylvania Society, and the other gentlemen was a brother of the Secretary of the Georgia Society. The certificate of incorporation by California’s Secretary of State is dated May 15, 1893.  The Society was admitted on an equal footing to the General Society on April 19, 1894. Two months later, George Washington Peachy, whose father was a soldier in the Revolution, became the first of five original “sons” to become members of this State Society.

American Heritage Library and Museum

The Sons of the Revolution in the State of California has had a long-standing commitment to education as we believe that the guiding principles of the American Revolution are as relevant today as they were at the founding of this great nation. The Sons of the Revolution in the State of California, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, operates and maintains the American Heritage Library and Museum in keeping with the purpose and objects of the Society: “to encourage interest in the early history of the United States. . . to perpetuate the memory of the brave men who fought in the Revolutionary War, and to collect and secure for preservation the rolls, records and other documents relating to that period.” With one of the most comprehensive collections in California dealing with the Colonial America and the Revolutionary War, this remarkable library and museum is truly a viable scholarly and educational resource for people of all ages.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to ensure that all Americans have access to the remarkable history of our American past for today, tomorrow and the future.

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the American Heritage Library and Museum is to show how is the American Revolution is relevant today by bringing the American Revolutionary War experience to California.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to bring the American Revolution to life by expanding and enhancing the acquisition, conservation, study, exhibition, and educational interpretation of historical works, objects and artifacts of the colonial and early periods of America’s history here in California. This mission is guided by the belief that our Founding Fathers instituted a Constitutional government for all Americans – of every walk of life – which is why the American Revolution is as relevant today as its was then.

Public Service

For over a century, the members of the Sons of the Revolution, through their patriotic spirit, love of country, and devotion to the principles on which our nation was founded, have operated and maintained the American Heritage Library and Museum for benefit and enjoyment of the people of California.  Admission to the American Heritage Library and Museum has been kept open free of charge to the general public in keeping with the stated purposes of the Society.

Operational Support

The Sons of the Revolution, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, has for the past 115 years operated and maintained the American Heritage Library and Museum as our patriotic service to the community.  While the Society owns the real property and remains debt free, the Library and Museum receive no financial support from any city, county, State or Federal government agency and depends solely on the generosity of our members, friends, patrons and benefactors to provide the means of continuing, improving, and expanding our services to the community. 

Education and Leadership

Today, the American Heritage Library and Museum is leading its own revolution in patriotic and educational programing that endeavors to foster true citizenship – a sense of what it is to be an American. If the responsibility for teaching American history and civics primarily rests with our elementary and secondary schools, then they must be given the tools and materials do their job.  We endeavor do this by contributing innovative solutions and strategies that will help transform and empower our local schools and our communities.  Our diverse and sustained educational programs are designed to support K-16 development, through history, social studies, arts and culture through targeted programing and exhibits. Our educational programs target elementary, middle and high school students so as to provide a comprehensive set of leading-edge solutions to the California’s most pressing educational challenges. Our efforts are focused on preparing the next generation as leaders, as we support community priorities and concerns.

Operations

The American Heritage Library and Museum, formerly known as “Sons of the Revolution Library and Museum,” is operated as a distinctly defined operation and administrated for the same end and purpose.  The motto of the Society is “exegi monumentum aere perennius”, meaning “I have erected a monument more lasting than bronze.”  In this sense, this public service, we feel, is a more meaningful memorial and tribute than a hundred bronze plaques or granite pedestals or a thousand quickly said and soon forgotten eulogies.

Library

The Library is operated and maintained by the members of the Society so as to ensure the preservation and safekeeping of such literary and artistic materials such as books, periodicals, newspapers, pamphlets, prints, etc., pertaining to America’s history, including but not limited to regional, state and local histories, military histories, family histories and genealogical records for educational and historical research and publication.  The Library collections consist of a wide range of textual and visual materials, including over 35,000 titles, many of which are rare and unique 18th and 19th century publications, intermixed with carefully selected 20th and 21st century materials.  The Library’s collections represent the culture and local history of small town America, its cities, counties and states.  Many of these histories chronicle their regions’ diverse political, social and economic life, ethnic and class groups within their respective geopolitical neighborhoods.  Vast amounts of vital record information, family histories and genealogical related research material can be found upon the library’s shelves connecting the common man to the lives and activities of prominent political and economic leaders, and their individual contributions to 19th century civic, charitable and social organizations.  Add to this is its comprehensive manuscript collection, scrapbooks, ephemera, drawings, posters and maps. The library’s collection is intermixed with a significant amount of 20th century material as well.

Museum

The Museum is operated and maintained by the Sons of the Revolution for the purpose of acquisition, conservation, study, exhibition, and educational interpretation of historical objects and artifacts of the colonial and early periods of America’s history, lifestyles, and the military traditions of the United States of America, while focusing on historic figures who contributed to the history of the State of California, including but not limited to archival records, histories, books, rolls, documents, artifacts and works of art that increase and diffuse knowledge into these periods of history for the enrichment of the citizens of California.  The museum’s collection, consisting of historical artifacts and works of art, including maritime objects, military items, oil paintings, prints, etchings and drawings, relics, and objects from the Colonial period to present, serve the public by advancing the understanding and appreciation of America’s early history, the contributions of its people and all her citizenry, whose impregnability, patriotic fervor and continuity have contributed to our State’s diverse neighborhoods – from America’s earliest inhabitation to the present day.

Archives

Housed within the American Heritage Library and Museum is a unique world-class collection of rare documents, manuscripts, records, rolls, historical artifacts and objects which forms the basis of the interpretation of the Library and Museum’s collection as has been offered to the public for over a century.  It is a precious resource that we hold and preserve in trust for the enjoyment of the people of the State of California.  Given the limited size of this facility, we are only able to display but a small fraction of the collection at any one time in our exhibit galleries.

Affiliations

In 2004 the Library and Museum was made an affiliate library and museum to the California State Military Museum.  The California State Military Museum is the official military history and historical research center for the State of California.  A part of the United States Army Museum System, the California State Military Museum’s main facility also oversees the Major General Walter P. Story Library and Resource Center and operates four satellite museums: Camp Roberts Historical Museum and Museum Annex; Camp San Luis Obispo Military Museum and Historical Site; the 40th Infantry Division Museum at the Joint Forces Training Center (Los Alamitos); the 185th Armor and 251st Coast Artillery Regimental Museum (San Diego).

Awards and Recognition

The Sons of the Revolution was recently awarded the coveted 2006 Award of Merit by the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH).

American Heritage Library and Museum

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