Learning Through George Washington

A handbook for teaching Washington’s legacy, the American founding era, and responsible engagement in contemporary civic life

Crafted by a diverse group of expert historians, museum professionals, and K–12 teachers, Learning Through George Washington is an engaging, multifaceted exploration of how to teach and learn about the American Revolutionary era. For more than twenty-five years, these educators have gathered at Mount Vernon to participate in dynamic dialogues about Washington’s life, eighteenth-century America, and the challenges of teaching this complex history to everyone from the curious public to advanced college students. The essays, each shaped by personal expertise, tackle subjects ranging from interpreting primary sources to discussing controversial topics, such as American slavery and Native dispossession, with accuracy and respect. By emphasizing primary source–based inquiry, material culture, and effective pedagogical methods, this collection invites readers to explore Washington’s legacy and its continued relevance today. Perfect for history enthusiasts, educators, and students, Learning Through George Washington not only deepens our historical understanding of the founding era but also provides valuable resources for further study, ensuring that Washington’s call for the “general diffusion of knowledge” remains alive and well into the twenty-first century.

Kate Elizabeth Brown is Associate Professor of History at Western Kentucky University. Lorri Glover is Professor of History and John Francis Bannon, S.J., Endowed Chair at Saint Louis University.