Inspiration for the Modern Revolutionary
Let’s face it, 2016 has been a bumpy ride. Many people are counting down the days until the New Year, but as historians, we must point out the usefulness of looking back, as well as forward. To help motivate you for the year ahead, here are some of the quote memes, featuring thought-provoking words from our Founders, that were designed and posted to our social media channels in 2016. …
George Washington lost four pounds playing the ponies as a 27-year old freshman legislator in Williamsburg in 1759. He wasn’t alone. Horse racing and gambling were favorite pastimes in colonial Virginia.
Large crowds turned out from Virginia’s earliest years to find out who had the fastest horse—and to bet on the outcome….
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How should the United States welcome immigrants?
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“They play away and play it all away.” So wrote the great Virginia planter Landon Carter of his son’s penchant to win and lose fortunes at cards.
Today we can tune into ESPN and watch the ancient spectacle, reborn as the World Series of Poker: competitors waging a battle of wit, concentration and not a little luck to win the crown as the top card player.
It’s a spectacle because we love to watch. To admire the skill of the winner? That’s part of it. It’s the personalities, the strategies of deception and risk, and perhaps most of all, the thrill of witnessing the train wreck.
It wasn’t so different in the 18th century. Card games were a favorite diversion for many Americans, something to while away an evening with family or over drinks with friends at the tavern….
Brendan McMahon as Thomas Jefferson in a production of “1776.”
Bill Barker has been interpreting Thomas Jefferson for more than three decades. “I never took an acting course in college,” he says, but by finding regular work in the theater he was able to become an Equity actor in the 1980s.
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Peter Manseau is the award-winning author of the memoir “Vows: The Story of a Priest, a Nun and Their Son” and the novel “Songs for the Butcher’s Daughter,” among other titles. His new book, “One Nation Under Gods,” examines the history of religious diversity in America, looking past the cliches of Puritans and awakenings to present a more nuanced, complicated-and interesting-picture of the nation’s spiritual life.
Looking forward to his visit to Williamsburg, we asked Mr. Manseau a few questions about what he has learned about being American from his historical inquiries….
This early 19th century painting of Washington is a copy of the well-known work by Gilbert Stuart. Discover more treasures in Colonial Williamsburg’s collections at http://emuseum.history.org/
…and second in the latest rankings of best president ever.
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Christopher Phillips
Christopher Phillips wants to get rid of the Constitution and start over again. Well, not exactly. But he does want us to think about what we would do if we could start over.
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