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The Property of the Nation: George Washington's Tomb, Mount Vernon, and the Memory of the First President
On December 10, 2019, Matthew Costello delivered the Banner Lecture, “The Property of the Nation: George Washington’s Tomb, Mount Vernon, and the...
The Rarefied Life of George Washington Parke Custis
George Washington Parke Custis was raised at Mount Vernon by George and Martha Washington. Young “Wash” appears in Edward Savage's 1789 painting of...
The Significance and Symbolism of the Judicial Robe
Why do American judges wear black robes? And what does it mean in our modern court system? Hear what Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Clarence...
The Story of Virginia: The Arrival of the First Africans
In this lecture, historian and author Ric Murphy tells the fascinating story of the arrival of the first Africans in Virginia in 1619.
Based on his...
Thomas Jefferson, Revered and Reviled
On December 1, Robert M. S. McDonald delivered a Banner Lecture entitled “Thomas Jefferson, Revered and Reviled.”
Of all the founding fathers, Thomas...
“War is horrid, in fact”: Virginians in the West Indies Expedition, 1740–42
On May 5, 2023, Craig S. Chapman spoke about the first overseas deployment of American troops, in which 4,000 colonists (including 400 from Virginia)...
Washington at the Plow: The Founding Farmer and the Question of Slavery
On December 9, 2021, historian Bruce A. Ragsdale presented a lecture about his book, Washington at the Plow: The Founding Farmer and the Question of...
Werowocomoco: Finding and Investigating a Legendary Site
On February 23 at 5:30 p.m., a panel of distinguished guests delivered a Banner Lecture entitled “Werowocomoco: Finding and Investigating a Legendary...
What Caused the Civil War
This video looks at the question "What Caused the Civil War." The video specifically looks at differences between the North and South and the outbreak...
What Made George Washington Tick
George Washington very much wanted to be famous. Yet, he did not wish to be known, and there is a remoteness about him that will perhaps always remain...
What's Wrong with Black Beard?
On March 19 at noon, Kevin P. Duffus delivered a Banner Lecture entitled "What's Wrong with Black Beard?"
The traditional historical interpretation...
Who was Pocahontas?
William Cabell Rives: A Country to Serve
On September 3 at noon, Barclay Rives delivered a Banner Lecture entitled “William Cabell Rives: A Country to Serve.”
Defying the president and...
Without Precedent: The Invention of Chief Justice John Marshall
As a statesman, diplomat, secretary of state, and chief justice, no one in the founding generation had a more enduring impact on our country’s...
Year of Meteors: Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, and the Election that Brought on the Civil War
On March 24, 2011, Douglas R. Egerton delivered a Banner Lecture entitled "Year of Meteors: Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, and the Election that...