NMB To Host ‘Beyond The Thirteen’ Conference
The National Museum of Bermuda [NMB], in partnership with Atlantic World Connections [AWC], will host an international conference and public programme exploring the American Revolution through a broader Atlantic perspective on October 8 and 9, 2026.
A spokesperson said, “The National Museum of Bermuda [NMB], in partnership with Atlantic World Connections [AWC], is pleased to announce Beyond the Thirteen: The American Revolution as an Atlantic Civil War, an international conference and public programme taking place on 8 and 9 October 2026. We would like to thank our supporters, Department of Culture, Bermuda College and American Friends National Museum of Bermuda [AFNMB].
“Timed to coincide with the approaching 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the conference will explore this conflict through a broader Atlantic lens, examining its impact on Bermuda, the Caribbean, and other Atlantic communities. Moving beyond traditional narratives centred on the thirteen North American colonies, participating scholars will consider themes of loyalty, identity, commerce, migration, freedom, and the lasting legacies of the conflict.
“The programme will begin with a free public lecture and panel discussion on Thursday, 8 October, at Bermuda College, bringing together local and international scholars in conversation with the community. Designed to connect academic research with public history, the event will provide students, educators, and members of the public with an accessible opportunity to engage directly with new perspectives on Bermuda’s place in the Atlantic World.
“On Friday, 9 October, NMB will host a one-day scholarly conference at the National Museum of Bermuda. Six Bermudian and international researchers will present new and emerging scholarship on Bermuda’s role during the American Revolution and its wider Atlantic context.
“The conference will be offered in both in-person and virtual formats, encouraging international participation and scholarly exchange while making the programme accessible to audiences beyond Bermuda.”
NMB’s Executive Director, Elena Strong states: “This conference creates an important opportunity to bring researchers, students, educators, and members of the public together to explore Bermuda’s often overlooked role in one of the defining events in Atlantic history. By sharing new research, exchanging ideas, and building connections across disciplines, we hope to foster new collaborations and deepen understanding of Bermuda’s place within the wider Atlantic world. The conference is also an important platform for emerging scholars, providing opportunities to present original research and engage directly with leading academics in the field.”.
A spokesperson added, “Topics explored during the conference will include:
- Bermuda’s political and economic relationships with North America during the revolutionary era
- Loyalism, patriotism, and divided allegiances in Atlantic communities
- The experiences of enslaved and free Black populations during the conflict
- The role of Atlantic trade networks and maritime communities
- Revolutionary movements and imperial civil wars across the Caribbean
- The contested historiography of the American Revolution
- The Revolution’s enduring legacies in Bermuda and the Atlantic World
Conference Details:
- Opening Public Lecture & Panel Discussion
- Date: Thursday, 8 October 2026
- Location: Bermuda College
- Cost: Free and open to the public
- Beyond the Thirteen Conference
- Date: Friday, 9 October 2026
- Location: National Museum of Bermuda and Online
- Registration Deadline: 2 October 2026
“For more information or to register, visit: https://nmb.bm/beyond-the-thirteen-conference/.”
