Free Lecture Explores Friendship Between Washington, James Madison

WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA — Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA) will hold a free lecture, “Founding Friendship: George Washington, James Madison, and the Creation of the American Republic,” on Sunday, June 4 at 1:30 p.m.

The lecture will be held in person at the park’s visitor center, 1112 River Road in Washington Crossing, and live streamed on Zoom.

The lecture will feature author Stuart Leibiger discussing his book with the same name as the lecture. In the book, Leibiger analyzes the rise and fall of the friendship and political collaboration between these two Revolutionary statesmen.

After teaming up to help win American Independence, Washington and Madison cooperated on the framing and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. When Washington took office as first president, Madison was his right-hand man and confidant, providing advice on policy and precedents. With the rise of the Federalist and Republican parties, however, Washington and Madison gradually drifted apart personally and ideologically, and eventually ended up as political enemies.

The lecture is free, but registration is required at WashingtonCrossingPark.org/events. Registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance as space is limited. Those watching on Zoom will receive login information when they register. If you do not receive an email confirmation after you register, call 215-493-4076.