America’s Most Unpopular War: Dissension, Debate and the War of 1812

Hartford, CT –Mark the 200^th anniversary of the War of 1812 by exploring this largely unknown and divisive conflict on Tuesday, July 10. Trinity College political scholar and civil rights activist Dr. Jack Chatfield will present his fascinating exploration of bitter sectional differences that threatened American unity decades before the Civil War. Sharp-tongued, anti-war New England Federalists — including Noah Webster — opposed the president and possibly toyed with secession during a time of national peril. Their opposition culminated in the controversial Hartford Convention of 1814, a secretive meeting held in the Old State House that risked branding participants as traitors - or worse! 

Following the short talk, the Connecticut Network’s Diane Smith will moderate a lively panel conversation with Dr. Chatfield as well as Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Susan Campbell, and Connecticut history professor and award-winning author Dr. Nancy Steenberg Panelists will discuss citizen opposition to American wars throughout history, including wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bring your lunch and enjoy this one-hour program. Registrations are encouraged but not required. To register, call 860-522-6766 or visit http://tinyurl.com/OSH2012Lecture.

This program is co-sponsored with Connecticut Explored, the magazine of Connecticut history.  Program attendees will receive a free issue of the magazine featuring the War of 1812.  This program is made possible through funding by the Connecticut Humanities Council.

 

Parking is easy. Connecticut’s Old State House will validate parking tickets from the State Street South Parking Garage (formerly the Constitution Plaza garage). The cost, after validating, is $5.  The ticket will be stamped at the Welcome Desk.  The validation is good all day. The Old State House farmers market featuring a wide variety of fresh Connecticut-grown foods will be open before and after the lecture, from 11 am to 2 pm.

Throughout 2012, the Old State House will have a variety of lunchtime lectures and other special events and programming. Visit the calendar on http://www.ctoldstatehouse.org/ for more information.

Located in Hartford just minutes from the Connecticut Science Center, Wadsworth Athenaeum and the riverfront, Connecticut’s Old State House invites visitors of all ages to discover that their voices matter, and that words, ideas, persuasion and debate really can change minds – and, quite possibly, the world.  The building served as the Constitution State’s original seat of government from 1796 to 1878. For more information on admission prices, upcoming events and parking discounts nearby, become a fan of Connecticut’s Old State House on Facebook, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CTOldStateHouse or visit us online at www.ctoldstatehouse.org.

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