The Chi Psi Educational Trust, Inc. “History Scholars” Program
Colonial Williamsburg
August 2016
Revolutionary Brotherhood
(as of October 18, 2013)
Founders
DAY 1: WEDNESDAY
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
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Convey the key events and themes of colonial history beginning with Jamestown in 1607.
Introduce The Great Debate and the value tension framework as an effective way of
looking at events and issues in American history.
Examine styles of leadership and brotherhood practiced by select Founders in the period
of the American Revolution, with a focus on their experiences in Williamsburg.
AGENDA:
Trustees/Alumni/Guests join the History Scholars in Large Group Session OR Small
Group Breakouts
9am Introduction: The Historic Triangle as the Birthplace of the Republic
Bus to visit to Historic Jamestowne “Jamestown Rediscovery” from Woodlands Hotel
Introduction and Wrap Up on bus
The morning program will include meeting with an archaeologist from Jamestown Rediscovery.
A guided exploration of Jamestowne historic site will begin with a focus on why Tidewater
Virginia is important to the understanding of American history. We’ll lead a whirlwind tour of
significant milestones in Virginia’s colonial history, which might include: first permanent
English settlement in Jamestown; conflicts with Virginia Indians; first representative assembly;
introduction and development of slavery; tobacco and labor; Williamsburg as colonial capital.
We’ll place events in the context of broader colonizing in the Americas.
Return to Williamsburg for Lunch
1pm The Great Debate-Role Play
Presentation of our unique framework for looking at American history through the lens of an
enduring debate about how to balance shared values: private wealth and common wealth;
freedom and equality; unity and diversity; and law and ethics.
2pm Founding Brothers
Divide into groups to examine and discuss primary source materials related to Founders who
walked the streets of Williamsburg. Make connections to value tensions and big questions of
Revolution. This activity will contribute to a deeper understanding of the events portrayed
throughout Williamsburg’s Revolutionary City.
Trustees/Alumni/Guests invited to the History Scholars in Large Group Session
3pm Audience with a Founding Father
Participate in an Audience with a Founding Father (or two), with the opportunity to hear a short
dialogue and participate in a question/answer session. Depending on availability in August 2016
Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Henry are preferred.
Nation Builders
DAY 2: FRIDAY
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
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Appreciate the importance and participation of ordinary people in the controversies and
conflicts of the Revolution.
Practice applying the value tension framework to a variety of Revolutionary-era debates.
AGENDA:
History Scholars Small Group
8:30 Revolutionary City Site tour-CONTINUATION from Wednesday and review
Take an early tour of a significant site for Revolutionary leadership, e.g. Wythe House,
Governor’s Palace, or Capitol. Tie the tour to themes of leadership and brotherhood. The
schedule has not been determined, nor the exact content of programming for Revolutionary City
for August 2016.
9am The Revolution as a Civil War
Elites, primarily white male landowners, possessed most of the political power in colonial
Virginia. But non-elites made up the vast majority of the population, and they were the key
participants in many of the debates in a conflict that pit brother against brother just as surely as
the Civil War did in the 1860s. How did the king’s subjects in Williamsburg encounter and
perceive the Revolution? What choices and challenges did they face?
9:30 Revolutionary Discussions
We’ll analyze non-elite perspectives of Revolution: women, enslaved persons, soldiers, and
ordinary townspeople. We’ll try to broaden our understanding of the issues and the interests
involved in the Revolution by getting beyond the heroic story of Revolutionary leadership,
looking at issues of importance to ordinary people, e.g.: whether to be a patriot or a loyalist; how
to provide in a time of shortage; whether to join the army; whether to risk a run to freedom.
10:30 Revolutionary City program
View a Revolutionary City program that highlights the experience of non-elites. This might
include a scripted scene, an appearance by an interpreter, and/or a walking tour. The schedule
has not been determined, nor the exact content of programming for Revolutionary City for
August 2016.
Citizens
DAY 3: SATURDAY
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
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Draw conclusions about the relationship between leadership and brotherhood, not only of
self-selected groups but also with all citizens.
AGENDA:
History Scholars Small Group Programming:
10am Subject to Citizen
Analysis and comparisons of the role of the subject to that of citizen with emphasis on what the
rights and responsibilities are which come with that designation. The morning will include a
brief reiteration of the events which lead to the final break from Great Britain and which formed
the beginnings of a unique set of American values which we hold dear to this day.
10:30 a.m Debate (role play)
Participate in a first-person activity that illustrates diverse points of view during the Revolution.
Noon Lunch
Trustees/Alumni/Guests invited to the History Scholars in Large Group Session
Concluding Discussion and Graduation:
1:30pm
Concluding Discussion: The Brotherhood of Man
We started with the notion of a small group of powerful male leaders working together to lead
the founding of a new republic. But the principles of the Declaration of Independence gradually
extended the promise of brotherhood to all people. Concluding discussion will seek to make
connections among the activities and convey a message of the importance of engaged
citizenship.
2:15pam “Graduation”
Participants receive some token of accomplishment for completing the program. We would use
social media to have attendees accomplish a simple task that certifies their accomplishment.
Teaching Material(s) Provided:
America: The Pocket Guide, by Colonial Williamsburg
Handouts as developed