SOCIETY NEWS
MARCH BOOK TALKS
GuyGuglioa
March brought twomore events in the U.S. Capitol Historical Society's ongoing book-signing series.OnMarch 20, journalist Guy Guglioa spoke about Freedom's Cap (reviewed on page 48 of this issue), focusing on several of the larger-than-life personalieswhowere key players in the 1850s renovaon and extension of the Capitol. Jefferson Davis,MontgomeryMeigs, and Thomas Walter all had significant impacts on the building and its symbolic place in the largerworld. OnMarch 22, JosephWilkins joined us to discuss his historical novel,
JosephWilkins
The SpeakerWho Locked Up the House. He regaled the audiencewith stories fromCongress in the 1890s,when Speaker Thomas Reedworked to break thewhite supremacists' hold on power in the House.Wilkins chose towrite a novel rather than a straight history so that he could present a fuller voice fromAfrican Americans of the period. His talk is available on the Society's YouTube channel.
2012 Youth Leadership Forum: Leadership and theCongress
O 50 THE CAPITOL DOME
n April 27, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders from high schools
throughout the DC metro area gathered in the Capitol Visitor Center's Congres- sional Auditorium to take part in our annual Youth Leadership Forum. This year's theme was "Leadership and the Congress," and students heard fromand quesoned both members of Congress
and staff members about all things congressional throughout the morning. The day also included lunch, an acvity about primary sources led by Michael Hussey from the Naonal Archives, a tour of the Capitol, and gi bags for all parcipants filled with educaonal materials provided through the generous support ofWashington Gas.
SUMMER 2012
