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A National Archives -American Conversation- with George Washington
Press Release · Friday, August 4, 2006

Press Release
August 4, 2006

A National Archives "American Conversation" with George Washington

Washington, DC…The first President of the United States, "George Washington," will join Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein in a special "American Conversation" on Thursday, September 21, at 7 p.m. In honor of Constitution Day, "President Washington" will share some of his memories of the Constitutional Convention and the men who served with him during the Revolutionary War as well as his views on the new government. Performing as Washington is William Sommerfield, recognized internationally as one of the foremost interpreters of George Washington.

This program is part of a National Archives series of discussions on American history and identity. Lynne Cheney, Lonnie Bunch, Ken Burns, Hillary Clinton, John Hope Franklin, Lindy Boggs and Cokie Roberts were featured in previous "American Conversations." Videos of past programs may be viewed on the National Archives web site.

The program will be held in the Archivist’s Reception Room of the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., located on Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. The National Archives is fully accessible. All programs in the "American Conversations" series are free and open to the public. To request an accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter) for a public program, please email public.program@nara.gov or call 202-357-5000 at least two weeks prior to the event to ensure proper arrangements are secured.

George Washington was the Commander in Chief of American troops in the Revolutionary War and presided over the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, before serving as President. His achievements in the founding of the United States have earned him the title "Father of our Country."

William Sommerfield portrays George Washington. Mr. Sommerfield regularly performs and interacts with audiences at Washington's home at Mount Vernon, and he does over 200 appearances each year throughout the fifty states and in Europe. He has appeared on NBC's Eyewitness to History, Good Morning America, and The Today Show. He has also appeared in Time Magazine, the New Yorker, and on the covers of USA Today, the New York Times and the Times of London.

Allen Weinstein was confirmed as the ninth Archivist of the United States in February 2005. Professor Weinstein, a former Professor of History who has held positions at Boston University, Georgetown University, and Smith College, is the author of numerous essays and books, including The Story of America (2002), The Haunted Wood: Soviet Espionage in America—The Stalin Era (1999), Perjury: The Hiss-Chambers Case (1978 & 1997), and Freedom and Crisis: An American History (3rd edition, 1981). From 1985 to 2003, he served as President of The Center for Democracy in Washington, DC. His international awards include the United Nations Peace Medal (1986).

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For press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at 202-357-5300.

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