2004 Program Overview

The annual George Washington Symposium addresses early Alexandria and the parallel life of its most famous home town hero. This year, the Symposium covers the period 1776-1783: the Revolutionary War years. The event explores Alexandria as the war begins, moving through the years of conflict. We look also at George Washington as a military leader, as well as a slave owner.. And we address those others whose labor and lives were owed to masters., but who nonetheless played vital roles in the development of the country. We will learn also about a little-known aspect of the period: a virulent smallpox epidemic, which affected Alexandria as well as the rest of Virginia and the Colonies. A welcome presentation of the 2004 Symposium is brought to us by the First Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line, who will bring to life military communication in the War. As always, our GW Symposium players will bring to life the subjects our distinguished speakers present.