Project Enlightenment
Project Enlightenment
is a historical interpretation society affiliated with McLean High School. The project was begun in 1992 by Physics teacher Dean Howarth, who estimated in 2008 that 400-500 members had passed through the group in 16 years, although this figure is unsubstantiated.{{cite web|title=Huzzah! Dean Howarth of Project Enlightenment|url=http://www.georgewashingtonwired.org/2008/09/04/huzzah-dean-howarth-of-project-enlightenment/|publisher=George Washington Wired|accessdate=5 March 2012}}
In 2011, it was expanded into a fully credited Living History class.
The group focuses on the late eighteenth-century enlightenment era. A wide range of subject areas are represented by members, including the natural sciences, music, literature, military affairs, art, and politics.{{cite web|title=McLean Students Aim to Portray History in an Accurate Light|url=http://www.sungazette.net/multimedia/videos/mclean-students-aim-to-present-history-in-an-accurate-light/article_bcf72a96-5811-5053-8931-aea248275647.html|publisher=Sun Gazette|accessdate=3 March 2012}} It is unusual among similar reenacting groups in its extensive interpretation of civilian affairs, especially scientific.
Notable Events
The group performs annually at George Washington's Mount Vernon.
The group works closely with several notable historical sites in Alexandria, Virginia, and frequently makes appearances at Gadsby's Tavern Museum and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop.{{cite news|title=Reenacting Past in Alexandria|url=http://connectionarchives.com/PDF/2012/020812/McLean.pdf|accessdate=5 March 2012|newspaper=Mclean Connection}}
Project Enlightenment has appeared at James Madison's Montpelier, along with notable James Madison reënactor John Douglass Hall.{{cite web|title=Montpelier to Celebrate National Constitution Day with Fireworks, Food, and Patriotic Music on the Mansion Law|url=http://www.montpelier.org/aboutus/press/media/pdf/14sep11-national_constitution_day.pdf|publisher=James Madison's Montpelier|accessdate=6 March 2012}}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|title=Mont pelier Announces Lynne Cheney as Const it ut ion Day Keynot e Speaker|url=http://www.montpelier.org/aboutus/press/media/pdf/10sep09-constitution_day.pdf|publisher=James Madison's Montpelier|accessdate=6 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010054355/http://montpelier.org/aboutus/press/media/pdf/10sep09-constitution_day.pdf|archive-date=10 October 2010|url-status=dead}}
References
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External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIaCp0VfdzY/ Project Enlightenment promotional video]