Hi, Kids!
Have you ever been to the White House? It is an amazing building. Its history is pretty amazing, too. Did you know that in 1814 the British burned down the White House? It was during the War of 1812. James Madison was president at the time. He was away, but his wife and everyone who worked and lived there had to flee the city. You can read more about it in the “Connections” section. When First Lady Dolley Madison fled the White House in 1814 she could have taken her own valuables, but instead, she chose to take something else. The treasure she carried as she left the city is still there today. It was returned to the White House and hangs there to this day. Find out what it was in “Cultural Connections.” Kyle Stetz works at Montpelier, the home of President Madison and his wife Dolley. It is a beautiful estate that is open to the public. People visit all the time to learn more about this power couple, their story and the way they helped shape our nation. Read about how Stetz plays a part in that in “What’s It Like to Be…” Sometimes history may not seem exciting, but often if you dig a little deeper, the people and situations that helped shape our world are similar to people and situations we know today. Try imagining yourself in the shoes of historical people sometime. Would you make the same choices they did? Why or why not?
