The War Ending discussed at Presidential Salon

The date is January 25, 1815 and the war with England is drawing to a close. Join President James Madison, as presented by John Douglas Hall, at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum on Sunday, January 25, 2015 to discuss the recent Battle of New Orleans and the arrival of the Treaty of Ghent in the context of his own time, and be a witness to the events of the year of 1815.

While the Treaty of Ghent, ending hostilities, had been signed by the British Parliament in late December, it took weeks for the news to reach the states.  Instead, the year of 1815 opened with the Battle of New Orleans, a major U.S. victory thought brought General Andrew Jackson onto the national stage.  The salon with President James Madison discussing events as they unfold in his time is part of on-going series of presidential salons which began in 2010  honor of the bicentennial of the War of 1812.  Public questions and opinions related to the salon topics are welcome and encouraged.

The salon will be from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m; check-in is at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street. Reservations are recommended and tickets are $15 per person and $10 for high school/college students. Madeira, Port and other libations will be available for purchase at the event.  To purchase tickets, please visit http://shop.alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4242. 

Since 1985, John Douglas Hall has been following the life of James Madison on a day-by-day basis. He offers a very unique opportunity for today’s audiences to engage James Madison in conversation in the context of Madison’s own time.  In appearance, in content, syntax, and with a remarkable command of the period and the man, John Douglas Hall has presented James Madison in numerous academic, governmental, public and private forums for more than 25 years. 

In the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries, Gadsby’s Tavern was the center of social and political life in Alexandria and the new Federal City of Washington.  The tavern served as the premier gathering place for residents – including George Washington – and visitors to eat, drink, learn, and influence history. Gadsby’s Tavern Museum is located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org.