Supreme Court Lecture Series: Making the Presidency

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The Supreme Court Historical Society and the Washington Presidential Library are joining together to present two lectures focused on George Washington, the history of the U.S. Supreme Court, and the nation's founding.

This segment, taking place at Mount Vernon, features an authoritative account of the second president of the United States that shows how John Adams's leadership and legacy defined the office for those who followed and ensured the survival of the American republic.

A book signing and reception with complimentary beer, wine, and hors-d'oeuvres will take place after the lecture. Tickets are available only as a two-lecture package.

Tickets

Add to Calendar 10/08/2024 19:00:00 10/08/2024 20:00:00 America/New_York Supreme Court Lecture Series: Making the Presidency

The Supreme Court Historical Society and the Washington Presidential Library are joining together to present two lectures focused on George Washington, the history of the U.S. Supreme Court, and the nation's founding.

This segment, taking place at Mount Vernon, features an authoritative account of the second president of the United States that shows how John Adams's leadership and legacy defined the office for those who followed and ensured the survival of the American republic.

A book signing and reception with complimentary beer, wine, and hors-d'oeuvres will take place after the lecture. Tickets are available only as a two-lecture package.

Tickets

 George Washington's Mount Vernon George Washington's Mount Vernon tickets@mountvernon.org MM/DD/YYYY 15

This event is made possible through a generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. Lewis E. Lehrman.

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Cost

2-Lecture Series:
In-person: $150 per person

Location

May 1:
Supreme Court of the United States

October 8:
Washington Library's Rubenstein Leadership Hall

Supreme Court Lecture Series: Making the Presidency

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Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic

The United States of 1797 faced enormous challenges, provoked by enemies foreign and domestic. The father of the new nation, George Washington, left his vice president, John Adams, with relatively little guidance and impossible expectations to meet. Adams was confronted with intense partisan divides, debates over citizenship, fears of political violence, potential for foreign conflict with France and Britain, and a nation unsure that the presidency could even work without Washington at the helm.

Making the Presidency is an authoritative exploration of the second US presidency, a period critical to the survival of the American republic. Through meticulous research and engaging prose, Lindsay Chervinsky illustrates the unique challenges faced by Adams and shows how he shaped the office for his successors. One of the most qualified presidents in American history, he had been a legislator, political theorist, diplomat, minister, and vice president--but he had never held an executive position. Instead, the quixiotic and stubborn Adams would rely on his ideas about executive power, the Constitution, politics, and the state of the world to navigate the hurdles of the position. He defended the presidency from his own often obstructionist cabinet, protected the nation from foreign attacks, and forged trust and dedication to election integrity and the peaceful transfer of power between parties, even though it cost him his political future.

This portrait of one of the most fascinating and influential periods in US history is a must-read for anyone interested in the evolution of the presidency and the creation of political norms and customs at the heart of the American republic.

Lindsay M. Chervinsky

Lindsay M. Chervinsky is a historian of the presidency, political culture, and the government. She produces history that speaks to fellow scholars as well as a larger public audience. Dr. Chervinsky believes history can be exhilarating and she works to share her passion with as many people as possible. Her research can be found in publications from op-eds to books, speaking on podcasts and other media, and teaching for every kind of audience.

Dr. Chervinsky’s book, The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution, was published on April 7, 2020 (paperback February 2022). She also co-edited Mourning the Presidents: Loss and Legacy in American Culture (February 20, 2023). She is a regular guest on podcasts and appears frequently on Listening to America podcast. She is the creator of the Audible course: The Best and Worst Presidential Cabinets in U.S. History.

Dr. Chervinsky is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University.

Contact

Stephen A. McLeod
Director, Library Programs

703.799.8686
smcleod@mountvernon.org

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