Inventing the Presidency

Since news emerged that rare 18th-century cherries were discovered at Mount Vernon, archaeologists have uncovered more artifacts from George Washington’s basement. In this exclusive interview, archaeologists Dr. Jason Boroughs and Lily Carhart reveal their latest discoveries, including the name of the last person who may have placed hands on these bottles before they were buried over 200 years before. Inventing the Presidency is a production of The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and CD Squared Productions. This episode was hosted and produced by Dr. Anne Fertig. Our guests today were Jason Boroughs and Lily Carhart. To learn more about the George Washington Podcast network or to see our other podcasts, visit https://www.georgewashingtonpodcast.com. 

The Whiskey Rebellion was an uprising in Western Pennsylvania protesting an unpopular tax. For George Washington, the rebellion held echoes of the revolution of days past. Except this time, the rebellion was against the new American government. Join Dr. Patrick Spero and Dr. Sandra Moats to learn about what started the Rebellion and how Washington’s decisions led to a peaceful solution. For free videos, lesson plans, and more, click here. Written and directed by Dr. Anne Fertig. Narrated by Tom Plott with additional voice acting by Dan Shippey, Matt Mattingly, Nathaniel Kuhn, Breck Pappas, and Samantha Snyder. Inventing the Presidency is a Production of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and CD Squared Productions.

St. Clair’s Defeat in 1791 was—and remains—the worst defeat of the US army by Native American forces in American history, but it was just one incident in the complex relationship between the United States and the independent sovereign Indigenous nations who lived on lands claimed by the new country. In this episode, hear from Dr. Colin Calloway, Dr. Greg Ablavsky, and Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky about George Washington’s “Indian Policy” and the lead up to one of the worst disasters in US military history.  For free videos, lesson plans, and more, click here. Written and directed by Dr. Anne Fertig. Narrated by Tom Plott with additional voice acting by Dan Shippey, Matt Mattingly, Dr. James Ambuske, Michael Nephew, and Nathaniel Kuhn. Inventing the Presidency is a Production of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and CD Squared Productions.

After the first presidential inauguration in 1789, George Washington faced the daunting prospect of starting a presidency from scratch. Every action he took would set a precedent. Ramin Ganeshram, Dr. Sara Georgini, Dr. Sandra Moats, and Dr. Patrick Spero explain the challenges of Washington’s first year in office, from his levees and tours to the deadly illness that almost took his life.   For free videos, lesson plans, and more, click here. Written and directed by Dr. Anne Fertig. Narrated by Tom Plott with additional voice acting by Matt Mattingly, Betty Brown, Rachel Samson, Adam Erby and Dr. James Ambuske. Inventing the Presidency is a Production of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and CD Squared Productions.

In the early days of June, 1787, in the thick of the Constitutional Convention, a debate unfolded that would test the fate of the young American nation. Four years after the end of the American Revolution, the United States still had no functioning Executive branch. The Convention sought a solution that would eventually create one of the most hallowed institutions of the United States government: the presidency. In this episode, join Rick Atkinson, Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, Dr. Bruce Ragsdale, Dr. Patrick Spero, and Dr. Peter Kastor to explore the foundations of the American presidency and the first presidential election. For free videos, lesson plans, and more, visit our website. Written and directed by Dr. Anne Fertig. Narrated by Tom Plott with additional voice acting by Matt Mattingly, Dr. James Ambuske, Matt Mattingly, Breck Pappas, and Adam Erby. Inventing the Presidency is a Production of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and CD Squared Productions.

When George Washington was first elected in 1789, he became more than just the first president of the United States--he became the first president of any nation in the world. In this new podcast from the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, we'll explore George Washington as both President and precedent. From the very origins of the US presidency at Constitutional Convention to Washington’s final warnings in his Farewell Address, we will break down how one man shaped the Presidency—and the many times that it could have all fallen apart. Inventing the Presidency will release March 2024.