In the Early American Republic, the deaths of national leaders were not only public events, but also private family tragedies. This lecture explores the intimate and often overlooked role of daughters in the grief and commemoration of prominent founding fathers like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe. Through letters, eulogies, and mourning customs, we’ll examine how these women navigated personal sorrow within a politically charged atmosphere, and how their experiences helped shape early national memory. Drawing from archival sources and contemporary memorial practices, this talk considers how female kin became stewards of legacy — balancing societal prescriptions of femininity with the weight of public remembrance. What did it mean for a daughter to grieve a president, not only as a parent but also as a symbol? And how did their mourning become a powerful political act? Join this session for a reflection on the intersections of gender, memory, and mourning in the young republic—and what these stories reveal about how nations, and families, remember.

Cosponsored by Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University (OLLI Mason).

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Elizabeth M. Reese is a public historian specializing in grief, celebrity, and public memory. Based in Washington, D.C., she has worked at various historic sites and is currently the senior manager of Public Programs and Interpretation at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House. Her work has appeared in TIME, the Journal of the American Revolution, and CSPAN.

ABOUT OLLI MASON

OLLI Mason provides intellectual and cultural experiences to curious individuals. Learn more at OLLI.gmu.edu.

INVITE

This program is appropriate for ages 18+. Register by clicking on the "Begin Registration" button. A Zoom link will be emailed a day before start of each program.