Joel Achenbach discusses his new book, “The Grand Idea—George Washington’s Potomac and the Race to the West.” Washington’s ambitions for the country were tied to the Potomac River. Mr. Achenbach is a staff writer and columnist for The Washington Post and the author of 5 previous books, including Captured by Aliens and Why Things Are. He writes a monthly science column for National Geographic magazine and has been a commentator on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition. He lives in Washington, DC with his wife and three children.

John Douglas Hall is originally from Granby, Connecticut and holds a degree in political science from Earlham College. Since 1978, he has appeared at Gadsby’s Tavern as an “18th Century Gentleman” knowledgeable about the issues of the day. He frequently lectures on the US Constitution and often appears at scholarly forums as James Madison.

David and Ginger Hildebrand are returning with their acclaimed music of the period. They are renowned for their concerts and educational programs throughout the United States at museums, historical societies and sites, and also at universities for graduate and undergraduate students. They appear frequently at Colonial Williamsburg and Mount Vernon; their music is also featured on several recent movies and television, such as the PBS series "Liberty!.” For C-SPAN's "American Presidents" series they introduced “Rediscovering George Washington"

Jim Mackay is currently the Director of The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum. In that capacity he has developed many exhibits and programs interpreting varied, and sometimes unusual, aspects of Alexandria’s history. Originally trained as an historian of Colonial America, he has also worked at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Jamestown Settlement, and Colonial Williamsburg. Jim Mackay holds an MA in history from George Mason University; his master’s thesis was on the development of taverns in Alexandria: 1750-1810.

Fred Sand is again sharing his collection of George Washington medals. He tells us that more types of medals and coins have been struck in honor of George Washington than any other American. This custom began in 1778 with the “Voltaire” medal and continues to this day. A small selection of medals and coins is displayed today.

Jack Duane Warren, Jr. is executive director of the Society of the Cincinnati, an organization of descendants of Continental and French military officers who served in the American Revolutionary War. Mr. Warren, an historian who specializes on the American Revolution, served on the faculty of the University of Virginia, and is the author or editor of several works, including “The Presidency of George Washington” (2000). He lectures on Washington and the Founding Fathers to groups in the United States and abroad, and has appeared on C-SPAN, ABC News, and other television broadcasts.

Stanley Weintraub will talk about his forthcoming book “Iron Tears—America’s Struggle for Freedom, Britain’s Quagmire, “ which tells the story from the perspective of the losers. Dr. Weintraub is also the author of “General Washington’s Christmas Farewell—A Mount Vernon Homecoming.” After taking his PhD at the Pennsylvania State University (1956) he remained on the faculty, rising from instructor to Evan Pugh Professor of Arts and Humanities. Visiting professorships also took him to UCLA, the University of Hawaii, the University of Minnesota, and the National University of Singapore; and while a Guggenheim Fellow he researched a book on World War I in England, Journey to Heartbreak (1971).