Exhibitions

Beyond Midnight: Paul Revere

September 6, 2019 – January 12, 2020

The patriot, silversmith, and entrepreneur Paul Revere was forever immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1861 poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride,” but his genuine accomplishments are often eclipsed by the legend of the midnight journey. This groundbreaking exhibition featuring more than 150 objects re-examines Revere’s life, transforming visitors’ understanding of the innovative businessman through an in-depth exploration of his accomplishments as a silversmith, printmaker, and pioneering copper manufacturer. Organized by the American Antiquarian Society, it draws from their unparalleled collection of Revere engravings, and also includes glimmering silver tea services; commonplace objects such as shoe buckles, thimbles, and medical tools; and important public commissions such as a bronze courthouse bell, all of which reveal facets of this versatile artisan’s career. (Coordinated at New-York Historical by Debra Schmidt Bach, curator of decorative arts.)

Families enjoy kid-friendly labels that explore Revere's time as a Revolutionary War spy and a story corner featuring Revere-themed children's books.

An in-depth book accompanies the exhibition and is available for purchase in the NYHistory Store.

Beyond Midnight: Paul Revere is on display in the Robert H. and Clarice Smith New York Gallery of American History.

This exhibition was organized by the American Antiquarian Society.

Major support is provided by: CHAViC, Center for Historic American Visual Culture, AAS; Henry Luce Foundation; and Richard C. Von Hess Foundation.

Previous Pause Next

Paul Revere Jr. (1735−1818), engraver; attributed to Christian Remick (1726−73). The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated on King-Street, Boston on March 5^th 1770 by a Party of ye 29^thReg[imen]t, ca. 1770−74 Hand-colored engraving. Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC01868

Tea salvaged from Boston Harbor after the Boston Tea Party, 1773. Glass, twill tape, sealing wax, tea leaves. American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts; Gift of Rev. Thaddeus M. Harris, 1840

Attributed to Paul Revere Jr. (1735−1818), Sketch of Revere’s copper mill and home in Canton, Massachusetts, ca. 1800. Pen and ink. Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, Massachusetts

Teapot associated with Crispus Attucks (d. 1770), 1740−60. Pewter, wood. Historic New England, Boston, Massachusetts; Gift of Miss S.E. Kimball through the Bostonian Society, 1918.1655

Grant Wood (1892−1942), Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, 1931. Oil on Masonite. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Arthur Hoppock Hearn Fund, 1950, 50.117

#BeyondRevere

Important support provided by the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc. Additional support provided by Richard Brown and Mary Jo Otsea. Exhibitions at New-York Historical are made possible by Dr. Agnes Hsu-Tang and Oscar Tang, the Saunders Trust for American History, the Seymour Neuman Endowed Fund, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. WNET is the media sponsor.