The Colonial Dames of West Virginia (NSCDA-WV) hosted two Dining with President Washington events featuring actor/historian Dean Malissa, the official George Washington interpreter for Mount Vernon.  On Nov. 7 the first President of the United States charmed and educated 152 luncheon guests at Edgewood Country Club and 45 dinner guests at the Craik-Patton Museum House.

Colonial Dame Katharine Becker co-chaired the George Washington Committee assisted by Jessica Graney, Priscilla Lawson and Kit Wellford, all of Charleston.  Mrs. Becker was delighted that the committee raised over $40,000 in gross revenue with the profits  dedicated to the the Craik-Patton House, headquarters for the West Virginia Colonial Dames.

President Washington was introduced at the events by Dames’ President Jane Boylin and Vice Regent Emerita of Mount Vernon, Priscilla Lawson. Washington began the events by offering an earnest prayer that “God would hold the United States in its greatest protection” and “dispose us all to do justice.”

Showing a good-natured  humor, Washington, explained the tradition of toasting which originated in England, bringing chuckles from the audience with one of his favorite toasts:  “(wishing for) eternal confusion to the enemies of America.”

Proud of his associations with the original Craik house built in 1834, Washington told the dinner audience about his close friendship with Dr. James Craik, a Scottishman who was the President’s personal physician.  Dr. Craik had been with Washington at the opening of the French and Indian War, when Washington was Commander in Chief of American forces, and when Washington cleared the Midland Trail from the James River to the Kanawha River. Dr. Craik was also grandfather of James Craik, attorney and minister, who built the original Craik house in the Kanawha Valley in 1834

The dining menus, personally engraved for each guest, were selected from the book Dining with the Washingtons and the table decors was authentic to the latter 1700s when the Washingtons lived at Mount Vernon.

Washington told the audience that his religion is simple: “I believe in Divine Providence,” he said.  Washington’s father Augustan Washington died when he was eleven years old.  The classics provided Washington with his education and he kept a copy of Addison’s Cato by his bed his whole life.

Actor Dean Malissa selected an anecdote from history to conclude the Craik-Patton House dinner.  The anecdote was set forth  in a dialogue between the president and Benjamin Franklin which took place in 1787 after the Constitution had been signed. Washington was the presiding officer at the Constitutional Convention.

FRANKLIN:  “General, during these proceedings I have looked at your chair on the dais.  I see a sun on the horizon carved on the back of your chair.  I can’t tell if it’s a rising sun or a setting sun.”(Franklin had a tear in his eye.)

WASHINGTON:  “It’s a rising sun in America….problems now can be overcome……obstacles can be approached with mutual respect and amity…..we can set aside the division of political parties.” Remember our motto: E Pluribus Unum – out of many ONE.

View images from the visit.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE:

Dean Malissa holds a degree in photojournalism from the Newhouse School of Syracuse University and served as a corporate fellow for twenty-five years. Melissa is a member of the American Historical Theatre, an organization that educates, entertains and inspires through living history performances. AHT actor/historians encourage audiences to encounter and interact with history developing empathy and underscoring the role of choice.