Siena College Associate Professor of Early American History and Director of the McCormick Center for the Study of the American Revolution Jennifer Hull Dorsey, Ph.D. is helping to bring the stories of the American Revolution’s unsung heroes to life for a national audience.
Dorsey is one of the revolutionary-era experts featured in American Heroes Channel’s miniseries “The American Revolution.” The three-part series chronicles some of the forgotten faces in the fight for independence. Dorsey spoke as a specialist in African American history about the impact of James Armistead, a Virginia slave turned American spy.
Dorsey’s interview was recorded during the summer in New York City. “At first, I was a bit nervous,” Dorsey said. After she got used to the lights, camera, green screen and production crew, Dorsey provided incredible insight that will be seen by millions of people.
“This documentary is an extraordinary opportunity to teach the history of the American Revolution to a national audience and give prominence to Siena College’s McCormick Center for the Study of the American Revolution,” Dorsey said. “I am very thankful for the privilege.”
“The American Revolution” will premiere on American Heroes Channel in three, hour-long installments: “Rise of the Patriots” airs on Monday, December 15 at 9 p.m., “The Empire Fights Back” will be shown immediately after, at 10 p.m. on Monday, December 15 and “Return of the Rebels” premieres the following evening, Tuesday, December 16, at 9 p.m.
“The American Revolution” combines expert interviews such as Dorsey’s with recreations and animations to tell the stories of the nation’s founding and the contributions of relative unknowns such as Armistead and other ordinary people who did extraordinary things to help the patriots defeat the British.
American Heroes Channel is among the channels under the Discovery Communications umbrella. It is currently in 60 million homes and is devoted to telling stories about major events that shaped the world, visionary leaders and unexpected heroes, and defenders of American freedom.
