Seth C. Bruggeman is assistant professor of history and American Studies at Temple University where he also coordinates the public history program. He holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from the College of William and Mary. His teaching and research specialties concern memory, commemoration, and material culture. Remembering George Washington at the Sites of his Birth - The National Park Service’s George Washington Birthplace National Monument has commemorated Washington and his life for nearly eighty years. For much of that time, however, nagging questions about the monument’s authenticity have pitted the many heirs to Washington’s legacy against one another. Seth Bruggeman reveals how these questions have often masked even broader debates about the meanings of race and gender in American memory. He will explore these contests of memory for what they reveal about the history of commemoration in this country and the challenges of doing public history.

Reception: 5:30 p.m., Program: 6:00 p.m.

RSVP:  sduffy [at] amphilsoc [dot] org or call Reception Desk (215) 440-3400