On November 2 - 4, 2023, George Washington’s Mount Vernon will assemble many of the nation’s most respected and thoughtful historians, authors, journalists, and leaders for an important examination of American democracy. The Great Experiment: Democracy from the Founding to the Future will offer thoughtful discussions and insights on the history and future of democracy in the U.S., along with America’s new challenges for protecting its democratic form of government. The event also will feature the release of a new report sponsored by The George Washington Presidential Library in partnership with the University of Virginia Center for Politics on Americans’ views on the future of democracy.
Speakers include:
- Jacqueline Alemany, The Washington Post Congressional Investigations Reporter
- Rick Atkinson, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author
- John Avlon, CNN Anchor and Senior Political Analyst
- Douglas Brinkley, Rice University Professor of History at Rice University and CNN Presidential Historian
- Robert Costa, CBS News Chief Election & Campaign Correspondent
- General Joseph Dunford, Jr., 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Joanne Freeman, Yale University Professor of American History and of American Studies
- Annette Gordon-Reed, Harvard University Professor and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author
- Kenneth Griffin, Citadel Founder and CEO
- Margaret Hoover, PBS Firing Line Host
- General John Kelly, 5th Secretary of Homeland Security and Former White House Chief of Staff
- Brian Lamb, C-SPAN Founder
- General Jim Mattis, 26th Secretary of Defense
- Trevor Potter, Campaign Legal Center President and Former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission
- Heidi Przybyla, Politico National Investigative Correspondent
- David Rubenstein, The Carlyle Group Co-Founder and Co-Chairman
- Larry Sabato, University of Virginia Center for Politics Founder and Director
A current roster of speakers is available here.
The event will kick off on Thursday, November 2nd, with a reception and black-tie dinner at the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Reception Rooms. Friday, November 3rd, will feature a full day of conference speakers, a cocktail reception and open house at the George Washington Presidential Library, and dinner at Mount Vernon. Conference programming will continue for a full day on Saturday, November 4th, followed by a cocktail reception and tours of the Mansion. The full agenda is available here.
Tickets to the three-day event are available here, with discounted pricing for members and donors, which includes all lectures, meals, and tours. A virtual ticket option also is available.
Media interested in covering the event should contact Julie Almacy, Director of Public Affairs at George Washington's Mount Vernon.
This event is hosted in celebration of the tenth anniversary of George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon. Through its collections and programs, the Library supports scholarly research and fosters new scholarship, provides a platform for educational outreach, and serves as a center for leadership training, conferences, and gatherings inspired by George Washington’s example.
