George Washington
In 2026, I’m partnering with Ashland Public Library for a yearlong virtual presidential series. We’re tackling each president chronologically on the second Friday at 10:30 A.M. EST. It’s going to be a lot of fun. To register or see the full schedule, click here.
It wasa blast kicking off the Virtual Presidential Series with George Washington. Next time, I swear I’ll show down a bit. Here are some of the doodles I shared, along with some additional resources and books. Huzzah!
A few doodles
Additional reading
George Washington’s tent
His teeth
You just have to see what they looked like.
That time he was a loyal subject of King George II
… and maybe accidentally started the French and Indian War.
The Whiskey Rebellion was a big deal
It had to be handled properly. But was it…?
Liberty Series postage stamps
The series included Benjamin Franklin (1/2¢), George Washington (1¢), Robert E. Lee (30¢), Alexander Hamilton ($5!!) and more. See for yourself!
Related blog posts
Of course there were, including but not limited to these eight incredible women.
Doodles and thoughts inspired by Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky’s book.
See where King George III fits in to all of it.
The plot to kill George Washington…
Comparing and contrasting this quartet.
Q&A follow-up
YIKES! I misspoke!
I only mentioned (non-biological) descendants through George Washington’s stepson. I know better than this — I even mentioned two of Washington’s nephews during my presentation (including the nephew who fired the Mount Vernon employee who stole what he thought was Washington’s skull!).
Washington had several siblings: three brothers, three half-brothers, two sisters, and a half-sister; he also had nieces and nephews.
Political parties
For all of the animosity between the Federalists (Alexander Hamilton, etc.) and Republicans (Thomas Jefferson, etc.), it kind of worked out. Without the delicate balance, we may not have been able to remain neutral with the whole France vs. Great Britain fiasco and then who knows what would have happened. (You can see my doodle here around :23, if you’re so inclined.)
The Rules of Civility
Don’t be late. Keep your hands off your parts in public. Don’t roll your eyes. And 107 other rules.
TV shows with Washington
Not going to lie — I watched Franklin to “study” for this presentation. (I am very good at finding ways to procrastinate.) George Washington wasn’t shown, but it was fascinating to see everything from Benjamin Franklin’s perspective.
I still can’t think of a show that I’ve seen that was just about George Washington — definitely need to add TURN: Washington’s Spies to my list, along with Ken Burns’ The American Revolution. Perhaps that’s how I can “study” for our next president — John Adams.
My husband shared this cool list with me.
If you haven’t seen it, check out George Washington’s Dream on SNL.
Etc.
Washington, Death, & Disease: A Conversation with Alexis Coe
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Sources
Doodles for this presentation were inspired by:
You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington, by Alexis Coe
The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution, by Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky / WRAP-UP POST
Travels with George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy, by Nathaniel Philbrick
The President Is Dead! The Extraordinary Stories of Presidential Deaths, Final Days, Burials, and Beyond, by Louis L. Picone
The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington, by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch / WRAP-UP POST
The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution, by Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky / WRAP-UP POST
The Humanity Archive: Recovering the Soul of Black History from a Whitewashed American Myth, by Jermaine Fowler / WRAP-UP POST
Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation, by Cokie Roberts
I also referenced:
499 Facts about Hip-Hop Hamilton and the Rest of America's Founding Fathers, by Stephen Spignesi
Check out my bibliography for more.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library and is in collaboration with a multitude of MA and NH libraries.
MA: Amherst, Andover, Chatham, Chelmsford, Cohasset, Cotuit, Falmouth, Groton, Hanover, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Maynard, North Reading, Quincy, Shutesbury, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, Wellesley, West Newbury, and Woburn; NH: Amherst, Dover, and Greenfield.
