Sarah polk was very up on diplomacy and her strong suit happened to be intelligent political discussion. She made no bones about the fact and she really took an interest in politics and that she was her husbands partner. She grew up in a political household in tennessee. Her father was a local politician. So she grew up loving politics. She married james after he won a seat in the legislature because she would not have married him if hed been content to be a clerk. Unfortunately for james k. Polk, he died just three months after leaving the white house and sarah began a 42year widowhood. Polk place became something of a shrine to her husband and she would invite anybody who wanted to come for a visit to see the objects that they had collected throughout their long and illustrious political career. She lived there for many years on her own and during the civil war generals on both sides would come and visit her to pay their respects to her. Thats a very interesting commentary on what a
Sarah polk was very up on diplomacy and her strong suit happened to be intelligent political discussion. She made no bones about the fact and she really took an interest in politics and that she was her husbands partner. She grew up in a political household in tennessee. Her father was a local politician. So she grew up loving politics. She married james after he won a seat in the legislature because she would not have married him if hed been content to be a clerk. Unfortunately for james k. Polk, he died just three months after leaving the white house and sarah began a 42year widowhood. Polk place became something of a shrine to her husband and she would invite anybody who wanted to come for a visit to see the objects that they had collected throughout their long and illustrious political career. She lived there for many years on her own and during the civil war generals on both sides would come and visit her to pay their respects to her. Thats a very interesting commentary on what a
Thank you to all the panelists for participating in this fascinating discussion. [applause] youre watching American History tv, all weekend, every weekend on cspan3. To join the conversation like us on facebook at cspan history. American history tv is featuring cspans original series, first ladies, influence and image at 8 00 p. M. Eastern time on sunday nights throughout the rest of the year. Cspan produced the series in cooperation with the White House Historical organization. We tell the stories of americas 45 first ladies. Now circle, Margaret Taylor, and Albert Fillmore. Sarah polk, Margaret Taylor and Albert Fillmore on the first ladies. This is 90 minutes. Sarah polk was very up on diplomacy. Her strong suit happened to be intelligent political discussion. She took an interest in politics, and she was her husbands partner. She grew up in a political household in tennessee. She would not have married james if he [inaudible] unfortunately for james polk he died and sarah became a
Continued to meet with political figures in the new capitol in the district of columbia and often called upon to craft policy. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Hosted this hour and 15 minute event. Our speaker tonight. Dr. Peter henriques is professor of history emeritus from george mason university, peter lectures widely on subjects relating to George Washington and has recorded at least five other lectures for cspan. And we greatly appreciate their being here this evening for this lecture. He is the author of realistic visionary, a portrait of George Washington, which of course is available in our museum store. But please join me in welcoming professor peter henriques. [ applause ] i dont think i can top that. Thank you very much. Have a good evening. You know, theres a touch of sadness actually for me coming to this particular presentation since weve been going through the different stages of washingtons life. Ive so enjoyed the opportunity and the privilege really to speak to y
Handling. Each week, American History tvs american artifacts visit s museums and historic places. The National Gallery of art was a gift to the American People from financier Andrew Mellon who served as treasury secretary until 1932. Up next, we visit the museum to learn about early american portrait painting and work of John Singleton copley. Dianne hello. We are standing in a room full a portrait by John Singleton copley, americas most important colonial portrait painter. I think as we look around the room, you can think back to the words of john adams 1817 who said when you see his portraits, you want a discourse with him, you want to ask him questions and receive answers. Let me give you some background. In the early part of the 18th century, american early painters without much background and training made ambitious but tentative likenesses onture canvas because portraiture was really the only way to do that. It was the most important type of painting in the colonies. There was a