Inventing the Presidency

New from the Washington Presidential Library, Leadership and Legacy invites prominent leaders and historians to reflect on their growth, challenges, and innovative approaches that made them the leaders that they are today, as well as how these questions can be informed by the past — in particular the lessons and legacy of George Washington.Learn more at ⁠www.georgewashingtonpodcast.com.

The publication of the Farewell Address was a momentous occasion for the young United States. In it, Washington established the most significant precedent of his presidency: the two-term limit. By giving up power, Washington ensured a peaceful transition for the next president. He sent the message that the presidency was not a lifetime appointment. And he did so willingly. In the final episode of Inventing the Presidency, we discuss Washington's final moments in office and reflect on his leadership. Rick Atkinson, Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, Dr. Peter Kastor, Dr. Sarah Georgini, and Ramin Ganeshram discuss what they believe to be Washington's greatest presidential legacies. For bibliographies, suggested readings, and lesson plans, go to www.GeorgeWashingtonPodcast.com. Inventing the Presidency is a production of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and CD Squared Productions. This episode was written and directed by Dr. Anne Fertig. This episode was narrated by Tom Plott.

Ona Maria Judge was twenty years old when the young enslaved woman walked out the doors of the Presidential mansion and never returned. Judge's courageous act of self-emancipation launched a national search and tested Washington's commitment to gradual abolition on the national stage. In this episode of Inventing the Presidency, Dr. Bruce Ragsdale and Ramin Ganeshram discuss abolition, slavery, and the remarkable stories of Ona Judge and Hercules Posey. For bibliographies, suggested readings, and lesson plans, go to www.GeorgeWashingtonPodcast.com. Inventing the Presidency is a production of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and CD Squared Productions. This episode was written and directed by Dr. Anne Fertig. This episode was narrated by Tom Plott.

In 1794, the United States was on the brink of war. But the British weren't the only ones on the offensive. An incendiary printer with a famous grandfather would soon accuse Washington of treason, tyranny, even murder. In this episode, Joseph Adelman and Lindsay Chervinsky discuss the backlash surrounding the Jay Treaty and the controversial newspaper run by Benjamin Franklin Bache. For bibliographies, suggested readings, and lesson plans, go to www.GeorgeWashingtonPodcast.com.Inventing the Presidency is a production of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and CD Squared Productions. This episode was written and directed by Dr. Anne Fertig. This episode was narrated by Tom Plott.

In 1793, a charismatic young Frenchman would arrive on American shores. His goal? To recruit American support for France’s War against Britain. As his popularity with Americans soared, Washington faced a new crisis that would pit him between two mighty European nations. Refuse the French, and the United States risked destroying one of their few alliances. Defy the British and the American experiment would be over. Join Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, Dr. Sandra Moats, and Ramin Ganeshram as we explore the Neutrality Crisis and the vital precedents it set for U.S. foreign diplomacy in this new episode of Inventing the Presidency.For free videos, lesson plans, and more, click here. Inventing the Presidency is a production of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association and CD Squared Productions. This episode was written and directed by Dr. Anne Fertig. Narrated by Tom Plott with additional voice acting by Dan Shippey, Matt Mattingly, Nathaniel Kuhn, Breck Pappas, Geoff Thompson, and James Ambuske.

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.