[Archived] War of 1812 Bicentennial Lecture

Wednesday, March 26 7:30 PM-8:30 PM 

Author discusses book: Defending the Old Dominion: Virginia and its Militia in the War of 1812

Historian and author Stuart L. Butler will discuss his recent book, Defending the Old Dominion: Virginia and its Militia in the War of 1812 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street.  Cost is $5 per person; free for Alexandria Historical Society members.  To purchase tickets, visit shop.alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4994. 

This lecture, co-sponsored by the Alexandria Historical Society and the Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, will address the impact of the War of 1812 on Virginia as well as the challenges the Commonwealth faced in financing the militia.  Mr. Butler will also tell the intriguing story of the nearly two thousand slaves who fled to British ships, some of whom joined British forces and fought against the Americans. 

Stuart L. Butler, former Assistant Branch Chief of the National Archives and Records Administration, is an expert in this historical period.  He has also written Virginia Soldiers in the U.S Army; Guide to Virginia Militia Units in the War of 1812, and Real Patriots and Heroic Soldiers: General Joel Leftwich and the Virginia Brigade in the War of 1812 and been published by numerous history magazines. 

This lecture is part of a larger War of 1812 lecture series, including:
• April 30, 2014  The Battle of the Whitehouse by Patrick O’Neill
• May 6, 2014 The Internal Enemy, slaver and War in Virginia from 1772 to 1832 by Alan Taylor
• May 28, 2014 Through the Perilous Flight: The Capture and Occupation of Alexandria by Steve Vogel

While war was declared in 1812, it did not reach Alexandria’s shores until 1814.  The City of Alexandria and community partners are commemorating Alexandria in the War of 1812 through lectures, concerts, a film series, and specialty tours, culminating in a free Signature Event in Waterfront Park on Sunday, August 31, 2014 from noon—5 p.m. 

For more information and a complete listing of Bicentennial events, visit the War of 1812 website.