Museum of the American Revolution, Lenfest Institute to host The Atlantic Across America Tour on June 11

The Atlantic’s tour of all 50 states is stopping in Philadelphia for an evening of reflection on the enduring and evolving American idea

May 12, 2026

The Museum of the American Revolution and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism have partnered to host The Atlantic Across America tour in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 11 for an evening of reflection on the enduring and evolving American idea. 

As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, what does the Constitution mean today, and what might it mean for the generations ahead? The program will feature a conversation on the state of Pennsylvania—examining the issues, ideas, and communities shaping the commonwealth at this pivotal moment, and the role Pennsylvania continues to play in the life of the nation. 

Then, in a wide-ranging assessment of the promises, paradoxes, and possibilities of America’s founding documents, Atlantic staff writer Clint Smith; Atlantic contributing writer Jeffrey Rosen, CEO emeritus of the National Constitution Center; and Melissa Murray, NYU Constitutional Law Professor and co-host, Strict Scrutiny; will sit down with The Atlantic’s managing director, Evan Smith, to explore how the country’s defining ideals have been contested and reimagined across generations—and how to carry that legacy forward. 

More speakers will be announced soon.

“There is no better place to host a discussion of the ideas and issues that animate America at 250 than in Philadelphia. The Atlantic was founded to be the magazine of the American idea, and we are pleased to be able to bring this tour to the city next month, in partnership with these two great institutions,” said Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic‘s editor in chief.

Tickets to the event are $35 and are available for purchase via the Museum’s website. Tickets include an hour-long reception starting at 5:30 p.m. before the program at 6:30 p.m., hosted in the Museum’s Lenfest Myer Theater.

The Atlantic Across America Tour began in December 2025, and over the next two years, The Atlantic will host events with its journalists in cities across all 50 states to discuss the range of issues and ideas the magazine covers, including the ideals of American democracy, the current administration, culture, technology, the environment, and more.

Many of the events, like the one in Philadelphia hosted by the Museum of the American Revolution and The Lenfest Institute, are in partnership with local and nonprofit newsrooms that are doing exceptional work, and will consider local and national issues.

“The nation’s 250th anniversary calls us to reflect on, engage with, and continue to define what our founding means today,” said Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, President and CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution. “The ideas and impact of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution have echoed across the last two-and-a-half centuries, continuing to shape the modern world. I am looking forward to this great night of conversation and discovery, bolstered by the Museum’s compelling collection and storytelling.”

Press Contact: Beth Ann Downey, [email protected]

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About Museum of the American Revolution

The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.

About The Lenfest Institute for Journalism

The Lenfest Institute for Journalism is a mission-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting local journalism and building sustainable business models for news organizations in Philadelphia and across the United States. The Institute was founded in 2016 by H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest and serves as the non-controlling nonprofit owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Through grantmaking, training, and research, the Institute provides free tools and resources to help news organizations serve their communities. For more information, visit www.lenfestinstitute.org. 

About The Atlantic

The Atlantic was founded in 1857 as a magazine of politics, arts, and letters, with a mission to understand the American idea. That work has intensified and expanded through reporting on culture, science, national security, technology, literature, and more. In the past year alone, The Atlantic has added more than 50 journalists to its staff as part of a major editorial expansion; launched broader coverage of defense, national security, technology, health, and science; expanded from ten to twelve print issues per year; and begun offering free digital access to every public U.S. high school. It has a record number of subscriptions—nearly 1.5 million—after many years of continuous and dramatic subscription growth.