Scholars, teachers study in Colonial Williamsburg

(Oct. 7, 2011) WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - McConnell Scholars and Kentucky high school social studies teachers discuss founding documents and leaders in Colonial Williamsburg.
Scholars, teachers study in Colonial Williamsburg

Reenactors at Colonial Williamsburg

Twenty-three McConnell Scholars and a handful of Kentucky social studies teachers are assembled in Williamsburg, Va., for a four-day historical and leadership conference.

The conference is part of a year-long McConnell Center focus on how America has been influenced by the people, ideas, culture and history of the British Isles.

"Williamsburg and Jamestown are the perfect locations from which to explore the colonial origins of modern America," said Dr. Gary Gregg, director of the McConnell Center. "Our seminars, tours and lectures are going to help our Scholars and teachers develop a better understanding of the America from which our constitutional order stemmed."

Conference readings include Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America, David Hackett Fischer's Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways and the Making of America, Joseph Addison's Cato, and American founding documents and charters published before 1787.

Discussion leaders include Dr. Gary Gregg, Dr. John Kleber and Dr. Joseph Fornieri.