Tina Beaird presents "Play Ball!! Researching Your Political Ancestors."

In July’s selection, we turn to a vivid work of narrative history that brings the turbulent summer of 1776 into sharp focus. Moving between Philadelphia, New York City, and London, the book traces the precarious path toward independence through the perspectives of political leaders, soldiers, and ordinary citizens. By weaving together battlefield realities with the high-stakes debates of the Continental Congress, this selection highlights the uncertainty, risk, and contingency at the nation’s founding—inviting readers to reconsider the Revolution not as an inevitable triumph, but as a fragile and deeply human moment in history.

During Vivid-Pix Memory Station Open Hours, you can scan and restore photographs, record the stories behind them, and create a personalized video that combines your images with audio recordings. Share family memories in your own voice, preserve the stories behind treasured photographs, and create a digital keepsake to pass down to future generations.