WILSON, N.C. — August 16, 2019 — The U.S. Constitution is as relevant today as it was on September 17, 1787, when it was signed by delegates of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia—perhaps even more so now, than ever, as what the Constitution calls for and what it stands for is under vigorous debate in today’s political landscape.
To commemorate the 232nd year since the signing of this enduring document, the Willis N. Hackney Library on the campus of Barton College will host a Constitution Day celebration on Tuesday, Sept. 17, in the Library Learning Commons from 5 -7 p.m.
This event will feature Dr. Jeff Broadwater, professor emeritus of history at Barton College and an historian of American history, who has also authored a number of books about the American founding fathers and about the Constitution itself. Two of his most recent books, “Jefferson, Madison, and the Making of the Constitution,” and “North Carolina’s Revolutionary Founders” (co-edited with Troy Kickler) will be available for purchase at the event. A reception and book signing will begin at 5 p.m., and the featured program will begin at 5:30 p.m. There will be additional opportunities to purchase books to be signed following Dr. Broadwater’s presentation.
A lawyer, historian, and scholar, Dr. Broadwater is the author of four previous books about leaders in American history and politics: “Eisenhower and the Anti-Communist Crusade” (1992); “Adlai Stevenson and American Politics” (1994); “George Mason, Forgotten Founder (2006),” which received the Richard Slattern Award for biography from the Virginia Historical Society and was listed among the Washington Post’s Best Non-Fiction Books of 2006; and “James Madison: A Son of Virginia and a Founder of the Nation” (2012), which won the Ragan Old North State Award from the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association. He has also written a chapter titled “James Madison and the Dilemma of American Slavery” for “A Companion to James Madison and James Monroe” (2012), and numerous journal articles. Dr. Broadwater taught history at Barton College from 1992-1995; and from 2003-2018.
For additional information about this event, please contact Ann Dolman, outreach and public services librarian in Hackney Library, at 252-399-6507 or adolman@barton.edu.
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