Symposiums
Topics & Discussions on the Life and Customs of Western PennsylvaniaSYMPOSIUM IS POSTPONED UNTIL 2023
The Symposium on Life and Customs in Western Pennsylvania
An Evening with Marquis de Lafayette
Friday March 25, 2022
The Chapel at Old Main, Washington & Jefferson College, Washington PA
6:30 p.m. Doors and displays open
7:00 p.m. Speakers
9:00 p.m. Reception and displays
The 2022 Symposium will feature the Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette came from an extremely prominent family in France. He traveled to the United States in search of adventure and prestige; Lafayette’s youthful idealism and courage brought him to a session of Congress in Philadelphia. When Lafayette offered to pay his own expenses in the colonial fight for independence, Congress appointed him a major-general. The next day, Lafayette met General George Washington and this was the start of a lifelong father-son relationship between the two men. At the Battle of Brandywine, Lafayette’s first battle, the young soldier sustained a leg wound that took more than 2 months to heal. But he served gallantly and with courage, inspiring others.
Young Lafayette was a skilled soldier, an impassioned speaker, an influential motivator, a committed diplomat, a Mason. During his US tour in 1825, Lafayette traveled along the National Road through Washington, Pennsylvania, staying at the Globe Inn on Main Street on May 25.
Benjamin Goldman began his acting career at a young age. Active in his high school’s theater program, Ben continued to pursue his dramatic passion at New York University, studying Dramatic Literature and French. In 2007, the American Historical Theatre tapped Ben to portray the young Lafayette, who was 19 at the Battle of Brandywine. When the White House commissioned AHT to create and perform On Fire For Liberty, Goldman was the natural choice for the Marquis de Lafayette. The two-person play highlighted the friendship between two people, MDL and George Washington, and between two countries, France and the emerging United States. On Fire For Liberty was performed with great success in the East Room of the White House for guests that included President George W. Bush and French Republic President Nicolas Sarkozy. President Sarkozy prided himself on knowing who was French and who was not, but laughed heartily when he discovered that Ben was native to the United States and not to France. Ben’s resemblance to Lafayette, his excellent French vocabulary and accent, as well as his quick mind all combine for a dramatic, authentic portrayal of the passionate patriot.
If you have any questions, please contact Tracie at bradfordhouse@verizon.net
Student Poster Session Contest
The Bradford House Historical Association annually sponsors two Poster Contests, open to all intermediate/middle and high school students (public, parochial, cyber and home-schooled) on a topic of Western Pennsylvania history, 1750 – 1850. The contest is open to students who reside in Washington, Greene, Allegheny, Fayette and Westmoreland Counties.
Students are required to construct a presentation on a standard size trifold display board, register online during January and February, and deliver the project to the Bradford House, 175 South Main Street, Washington, Pennsylvania, in early March. For complete rules, hints for developing a project, and a list of possible topics, see the Poster Rules link below.
Online registration is open January 1 through February 28. You can register for the poster contest by mailing the completed poster registration form (See the Poster Registration link below) to the Bradford House, PO Box 537, Washington, PA 15301 or you can email it to bradfordhouseshop@hotmail.com.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 5 entries in each division: Middle School (grades 5-8) and High School (grades 9-12).
Forms
Poster Contest prizes generously provided by:
