“I’ve always wanted to do something for my nation,” said Tom Hand, a West Point graduate who recently sold the Wisconsin cheese business he co-founded with his wife Char. “Once we had money in hand, rather than just at hand, we had the wherewithal to really make a difference.”
Through Americana Corner, their educational and philanthropic resource focused on America’s founding era, the Hands have given a $1 million grant towards the long-term preservation of the gunboat Philadelphia at the National Museum of American History in time for the nation’s 250th anniversary. “Timing is key for any project’s success,” said Hand, “and it’s important that the American people see this iconic artifact and learn its historical significance as we celebrate our nation’s founding.” Part of their lead gift will help to build a conservation lab with observation windows that will allow visitors to watch specialists at work.
“No other historical institution in America has the same reach as the Smithsonian,” said Hand, who recognizes the growing importance of accessibility and audience engagement. “We are always looking for return on investment, and no place gets a return like the Smithsonian. We see an investment in our nation’s past as an investment in our future.” The couple, who has also made a bequest to support the Smithsonian, appreciates the scope and scale of the collections, which has a story to draw in every visitor.
In December 2020, Hand launched Americana Corner as a website to help everyday Americans learn more about our shared history. An avid reader himself, he was keen to share stories that would draw people in and enhance their understanding of key people, places and events. Every Tuesday a new article is posted, and on Friday, a correlating video amplifies the reach and impact. “We now have more than 200 stories in our portfolio.”
A year later, Americana Corner awarded its first Preserving America Grants, which are announced each year on Washington’s birthday. “We saw an opportunity to do more by helping historical organizations tell their part of the great American story.” To date, more than 200 grants valued at $1.5 million have been awarded to conserve and display artifacts, preserve battle fields and landmark sites, and fund living history programs and school trips.
“It’s been a real blessing to have something meaningful to do in retirement, with funds we have earned, for causes that we love,” said Hand. “In my case, that’s our nation.”
In retirement, Hand also wrote and published An American Triumph: America’s Founding Era through the Lives of Ben Franklin, George Washington, and John Adams. Ever conscious of his target audience, the first book in his planned series features colloquial language, short chapters, and plenty of full-color images and maps to both inform and entertain the reader.
One of his research discoveries was the Battle of Valcour Island, which he attests is “an underappreciated historic event” that turned the tide of the American Revolution. While the nascent American Navy lost the battle, and its gunboat Philadelphia sank in Lake Champlain, Benedict Arnold and his forces succeeded in stalling the British from reaching Fort Ticonderoga and delivering a decisive defeat before the American war effort was fully mobilized.
“The greatest story never told is the one that no one hears about,” said Hand. Through Americana Corner, the Hands are ensuring that more of these great American stories are being heard—and their lessons heeded—as we build a brighter future together.