President’s Day weekend came at a great time this year, coinciding with our studies from Greek theater to Athenian democracy.
What a better time to analyze its implications than while talking to our Founding Fathers who studied many forms of early governments, while establishing the framework of America’s representative government!
FRIDAY EVENTS
GREEK PLAYS – ACTOR’S TRUNK
Arriving Friday morning, about 20 minutes before the end of a great program, I walked up to one of the gents “in the know” at The Actor’s Trunk to ask a question about Greek theater, pertaining to our upcoming Becoming History presentation.
I had to suppress a smile, because I just knew he’d laugh when he saw me…because I am always asking him questions.
Sure enough he laughed! (We were just at this program a couple of weeks ago where I asked questions for the entire program.)
I told him we were studying Greek Theater because we were going to act out Trojan Women, and the kids were in the process of making paper-mache masks.
Having extensively researched Greek Theater masks, I found few details, since most of the masks have deteriorated over time.
Acknowledging that detail, he filled me in on everything he could and made 18th century connections that were new for me.
GREEK DEMOCRACY – PATRICK HENRY
After lunch we returned to the Mary Stith House, where we met with Patrick Henry.
Uh oh! Someone asked about the democracy he was helping to form.
That got a rise out of Patrick Henry!
He definitely did not help to form a democracy…that destitute institution of anarchists that failed in the throes of dictatorship!
Benjamin Franklin said: Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb voting on what will be for dinner.
I furiously scribbled down lots of notes, since the books I had studied the night before didn’t go into this much detail!
After the program I talked to him about my lesson planning on Athenian democracy, the fact that I knew he helped to form a representative government, but where would I learn more about the failure of democracy?
His eyes lit up and he gave me a list of several books to read. Two of them are over 800 pages!
JOHN LOCKE – CAPITOL TOUR
Then we toured the Capitol.
In the middle of the tour, two burgesses, Edmund Randolph and Robert Carter Nicholas, barged in.
Shocked to see us, they explained they were in the middle of drafting the Virginia Declaration of Rights, because our rights come from God, written about by late 17th century philosopher, John Locke.
Educated in the classical studies of Ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, Locke wrote: The necessity of pursuing happiness [is] the foundation of liberty.
MILLINER SILKY DELIGHTS
CABINET MAKER SECRETS
Then we searched for hidden compartments at the cabinetmaker shop.
SATURDAY EVENTS
FUTURE PRESIDENTS AT THE CAPITOL
Saturday morning, we quickly journeyed to the Capitol to meet the great men of Williamsburg who became future presidents: Washington, Jefferson, and Madison.
At this program, we get to meet them before their presidencies, as they recounted their past, stated their present time, and pondered their future.
First, we met with Colonel Washington, a burgess before the American Revolution.
Then we met with Madison, who talked to us about the Constitution, which he helped to draft.
Finally, we met with Jefferson, who was sitting with his back to us, near the window, reading a booklet.
He was most surprised when he found all of us in there with him!
LAFAYETTE
After lunch we went to the Tucker House to meet with Lafayette in 1824!
SALUTE TO THE PRESIDENTS
Later that afternoon the Fife and Drum Corps opened a special ceremony to honor all the past presidents.
After marching down Duke of Gloucester to Market Square, they opened the program with the Star-Spangled Banner.
Meanwhile Presidents Washington and Jefferson watched from an 18th century wagon.
With all the presidents categorized according to the state of their birth, the fife and drum corps played a special song for each of those states, after which the cannons fired.
At the end, Washington and Jefferson stepped down from the wagon for their part in the firing of the cannons.
After the Fife and Drum Corps played World Turned Upside Down, Jefferson fired the cannon for the presidents from Virginia.
Then the Fife and Drum Corps played God Save George Washington, after which Washington fired the cannon for the presidents from the state from which the current president was born.
When Washington and Jefferson returned to the wagon, they retrieved their hats and walking canes from my kids! (My daughter did that last year, too!)
SUNDAY EVENTS
MEETING THE VIRGINIA PRESIDENTS AT THE COURTHOUSE
At the Courthouse the next morning we met with the presidents.
First, we met with President Washington, who after two terms in office, announced he was announced he was stepping down.
Washington was looking forward to returning home to Mount Vernon, like the Ancient Roman Cincinnatus who returned to the plow after serving his country.
Next, we got to meet with President Jefferson who opened his presentation with a little fashion show!
Since he is president in the early 19th century, he demonstrated that the coat and waistcoat are cut completely differently.
Although long pants are now in fashion, he still prefers his breeches.
XENOPHON AND THE DRAGOONS
After meeting the presidents, we watched the dragoon program.
This regimental coat was worn by the Fourth Regimental Continental Light Dragoons, who escorted General Washington around Williamsburg in Sept 1781.
Here they are showing us the importance of the horses working together as a team
The dragoon even mentioned the Greek Xenophon, whom I’ve been reading about today.
PATRICK HENRY HOMEWORK
That evening, while waiting for a special program, we went to Barnes and Noble, where I found one of the books Patrick Henry suggested for me, which he said was the Bible for the Founding Fathers, meaning that it was their heavy reference book for structuring a new government.
Spirit of the Laws included 800 pages of the detailed the vision of separation of powers in representative government.
Montesquieu who wrote this tome also received a classical education centered around Greek and Roman civilizations in the early 18th century.
EVENING WITH THE PRESIDENTS AT KIMBALL THEATER
Later that evening we attended Evening with the Presidents at Kimball Theater.
A moderator opened the evening by reading about the president’s duties, as listed in the Constitution.
Then he asked each president (Washington, Jefferson and Madison), a question connecting an event from each of their presidencies in light of 21st century issues.
Ooo, they were challenged that they did not follow the Constitution with certain decisions, which they had to explain, causing them to defend their positions.
After that the moderator called on guests in the audience to ask questions of any of the presidents they wished.
Then there is a huge surprise, which we’ve promised not to tell.
MONDAY PROGRAMS
