Huzzah! Dean Howarth of Project Enlightenment

Dean Howarth, a Physics teacher at Mclean High School, has been bringing students to Mount Vernon for 15 years as part of a program he founded called Project Enlightenment. Students develop an 18th century character and then become a first person interpreter for a day at Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon recently honored Dean for his innovation and creativity, as well as the fact it is not everyday you meet a Physics teacher who is so committed to History!! For this, we think Dean deserves a big Huzzah! (18th century “Cheers!”)

GWW: How do your students prepare for their Mount Vernon visit?
DH: New members start early in the fall, with a goal of finding a character by December. The rest of winter is spent delving into the character and establishing a well-rounded knowledge of Washington’s life and times. Early spring is spent developing presentation skill, and crafting interpretive gateways. We have compiled tons of information and maintain an electronic library (to augment our school’s library). We have portrayed well over 150 different characters (all known to have connections to George Washington), and every year we add a few more.

GWW: Where do the costumes come from?
DH: We used to rent them with student dues, but without a budget per se, we have been earnestly collecting them a couple at a time. Ebay, seamstress moms (which are hard to find), donations, costume shop clearance sales, begging and borrowing, have all been used. Now we are almost self sufficient but the Cultural Affairs Division of Arlington County have helped us out considerably over the years. This has been a Herculean task-outfitting over 60 kids is tough!

GWW: What is the funniest thing that ever happened during a program at Mount Vernon?
DH: Since our costumes are often hand-me-downs and not the best quality they are often held together with safety pins and string. Once Tom Paine’s breeches fell down on the Piazza, and Benjamin Rush split his trousers demonstrating medical procedures. Our young ladies, dressed in 18th century fineries, often draw unwanted attention from dreaded packs of middle school boys on field trips (not paragons of ettiquette). Our project hones quick thinking and ad-lib skills. Once a rude boy was annoying our Nellie Custis with low-brow attempts of showing how cool he was. Nellie quickly replied that he reminded her of Hercules, which he seemed to be pleased with, until she added that Hercules was the name of her grandfather’s most stubborn jackass, which was historically accurate based on her detailed research. The boy sheepishly retreated, and we all gave her three cheers for her formidable verbal coup.

GWW: How many students do you estimate have participated in Project Enlightenment?
DH: Probably between 400-500!

GWW: Do you dress up and participate?
DH: Yes, I do. I played Ebeneezer Kinnersley most recently, an 18th century scientist who traveled the colonies demonstrating electrical machines like those of Dr. Franklin. I have also played astronomers, surveyors, and natural science professors.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 4th, 2008 at 3:04 pm and is filed under Teacher Opportunities. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.