Learning from the past.

The motto of Colonial Williamsburg (CW) is "That the future may learn from the past." And it's made clear every day here at CW, currently the largest living history museum in the world.

A few weeks ago, Ted Koppel and the CBS Sunday Morning team were here putting together a piece about CW, the interpretation of history, and of course: politics. It was to air the Sunday before the Presidential election after all. And I admit- I was concerned. Mainstream media editing is something I don't always have faith in.

But I was pleasantly surprised though I shouldn't be. The team of interpreters here are second to none. The story was fantastic. And I truly hope that it inspires a way of looking to the past as we plan our future.

One of the features was Ron Carnegie on-stage as a departing President George Washington. In this performance, Mr. Carnegie highlights (and directly recites) Washington's September 19, 1796 farewell address.

If you want to watch the CBS story, I've embedded it below.

RELATED: Learn more about Ron Carnegie and President Washington here.

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What I've gleaned from President George Washington's parting message.

I've seen Mr. Carnegie on stage and on the streets of CW many a time, and always learn something. I went to his performance again yesterday, hoping he'd do President Washington's farewell address, and he did. I went in this time thinking specifically about the 2024 presidential election and to take comfort in the words of the Stoic I've come to respect: George Washington himself.

This is a blog, not a novel, so I'm dropping three specific points that hit home for me. Hopefully they'll inspire you to dig deeper, consider the message, and so on.

Highlight number 1 from Washington's farewell.

George Washington truly was a man who didn't want to be President but was compelled to do his duty serving others.

Excerpt:

I constantly hoped, that it would have been much earlier in my power, consistently with motives, which I was not at liberty to disregard, to return to that retirement, from which I had been reluctantly drawn. The strength of my inclination to do this, previous to the last Election, had even led to the preparation of an address to declare it to you; 1 but mature reflection on the then perplexed & critical posture of our Affairs with foreign Nations, and the unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence, impelled me to abandon the idea.

If there's one thing I've learned about Washington, it's that he deeply feels a sense of duty to serve others. And another thing: he loves private life. Being a farmer and a family man look to be what he wanted most for himself.

As a student (and follower) of the Stoics, Washington was rightly, and continually, compared to Cincinnatus. He was a man to put down his sword and pick up his plowshare.

Washington statue reflecting Cincinnatus, Virginia State Capitol

Highlight number 2 from Washington's farewell.

Here in the United States, all of us citizens are Americans, with slight shades of difference in the big picture.

Excerpt:

Citizens by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of AMERICAN, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same Religion, Manners, Habits & political Principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together—the independence & Liberty you possess are the work of joint councils, and joint efforts—of common dangers, sufferings and successes.

My interpretation is that in other words, we must never forget why we choose to be Americans (because anyone can leave, right?). Our common cause, our love of liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (which comes through virtue, but that could be another blog post).

As Jefferson pointed out many years ago: the Spirit of 76.

Let's be honest: what happened in 1776 or even 1787 and 1796... not perfect. We should always be striving to improve TOWARDS a MORE PERFECT union. This is something CW's Jefferson, Kurt Smith, reminds visitors of every week.

Kurt Smith answering questions outside reconstructed Capitol in CW

Highlight number 3 from Washington's farewell.

Do not choose party over nation. Period.

Excerpt on parties:

They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force—to put in the place of the delegated will of the Nation, the will of a party; often a small but artful and enterprizing minority of the Community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the Mirror of the ill concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the Organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common councils and modefied by mutual interests. However combinations or Associations of the above description may now & then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the Power of the People, & to usurp for themselves the reins of Government; destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.

To be fair, this is a small bit of Washington's words. I highly recommend you read all of his words and get the full breadth of his meaning (and warning) to falling under the spell of parties. I've heard Mr. Carnegie interpret Washington many times, and one thing that stands out, is his conviction in sharing that there are natural term limits: use your power as an American and vote.

Ron Carnegie portraying Washington in CW

Action items.

• Read President Washington's full address by clicking here.
• Visit Williamsburg if you get the chance, and listen to Ron Carnegie's performance. (let me know if you do!)
• Visit the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (where the cover photo was taken).
• Click around this blog and search for everything related to George Washington!

Closing words from history.

Thomas Jefferson was President Washington's Secretary of State. Though they didn't always agree (especially on the subject of political parties - or their approach to them) there was a clear respect Jefferson had for Washington.

Here's an excerpt of a letter from Jefferson to Washington, timely to this blog post. Click here though to read it in full and get the scope and detail I think are fascinating.

You may realize, looking at the date, Washington did not retire; he stayed at the helm though I'm confident he really wanted to return to civilian life as a farmer.

From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 23 May 1792

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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.

1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.

2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.

3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post unless otherwise credided! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.

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