Sparking the Revolution

When: 11/21/25, 8:45 AM - 3:25 PM
Location: STCC, Building 2

The conference is free, open to the public, and available in person or virtually, with select sessions eligible for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit. The two-day program brings together leading historians, legal scholars, and subject-matter experts to examine colonial disarmament, the formation of militia systems, Revolutionary War arms and manufacturing, and the broader technological and industrial foundations of the conflict.

8:45–10:00 AM — Panel 1: Disarmament and the Revolution (CLE) Bob Cottrol (GWU), E. Gregory Wallace (Campbell), James Slaughter (Marshall).

10:15–11:00 AM — To Arms! Weapons of the Revolutionary War Erik Goldstein, Colonial Williamsburg.

11:00–11:30 AM — The Continental Arsenal at Springfield Alex Mackenzie, Springfield Armory.

11:30 AM–12:30 PM — Lunch Provided

12:30–1:45 PM — Panel 2: The Colonial Militia (CLE) Jody Madeira (Indiana University), Joyce Malcolm (George Mason University), Alexander Cain (Author/Historian).

1:55–2:40 PM — Creating an Arsenal of Liberty Andrew Fagal, Historian.

2:40–3:25 PM — Arms, Ammunition, and Archaeology: Understanding 18th-Century Ballistics Joel Bohy, Historical Arms Specialist, Antiques Roadshow.