Events

This lecture was rescheduled from February 20 due to winter weather on the original date.

Whether in the role of militia officer, commander of the Continental Army or president of the United States, a sword frequently hung by George Washington’s side. Nine of his swords are known to exist today, and each has a fascinating history not just as a functional weapon but as a symbol of the iconic American founder and the birth of the nation. Commemorate the 287th anniversary of Washington’s birth with an exploration of these swords and their significance, presented by Erik Goldstein, senior curator of mechanical arts and numismatics at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

The lecture will last approximately 45 minutes.

About the Speaker

Erik Goldstein, senior curator of mechanical arts and numismatics at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, is an expert in military history and numismatics of the period of the American Revolution. He is the co-author of The Swords of George Washington (2016) and The Brown Bess: An Identification Guide and Illustrated Study of Britain’s Most Famous Musket (2010), as well as the author of dozens of other books and articles on the military history and material culture of colonial and Revolutionary America.