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Ties That Bound: Founding First Ladies and Slaves
  • Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2017
  • Time: 4:00 pm
  • Location: William G. McGowan Theater, Washington, DC

Marie Jenkins Schwartz examines the relationships that developed between the First Ladies and their slaves in the households of the Founding Fathers from Virginia. Martha Washington, Martha Jefferson, and Dolley Madison were all slaveholders who had close relations with their slaves and saw them more as constant companions. By looking closely at the complicated intimacy these women shared, Schwartz illuminates much about the lives of the slaves themselves, as well as class, race, and gender in early America.

A book signing will follow the program. Purchase this book on the day of the event from the National Archives Store and receive a 15% discount (members get 20% off).

All public programs at the National Archives are free and streamed live online via the National Archives’ YouTube channel. Reservations are recommended; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors to the building will open 45 minutes prior to the start of the program. Use the Special Events entrance on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW. Click here for more information on getting to the National Archives and parking.

Live captioning will be available online and in the William G. McGowan Theater. If you require an alternative or additional accommodation for an event (such as a downloadable transcript or a sign language interpreter), please send an email to public.program@nara.gov or call 202.357.5000 in advance.