WILLIAMSBURG 一 Middle school students from Williamsburg-James City County gathered on the lawn of the Governor’s Palace to learn about the creation of the Constitution and consider what they would change about the document if given the chance.
Students listened as Colonial Williamsburg’s historic interpreters portrayed figures who supported the Constitution, opposed it or were excluded from the nation’s government before writing their own proposed amendments.
The amendments were hung on display across a white picket fence by the Governor’s Palace Green, giving visitors a chance to read what the students would add to the Constitution.
The students’ proposed amendments included “No one shall harm everyone,” “Ban gun violence,” “Infinite food,” “Free bacon for breakfast” and a fine for having pineapple on pizza.
The idea for Colonial Williamsburg’s Constitution Day program started in the spring, when the organization reached out to Williamsburg-James City County schools about bringing local middle school students into the historic district to learn about the nation’s founding document.
“It’s an incredible intersection. We’re not only celebrating the importance of our local community and our students [but also] celebrating the importance of one of the most fundamental documents in our nation’s history, the Constitution,” said Joe Schmidt, executive director of K-12 education at Colonial Williamsburg.
Stephen Seals, a Colonial Williamsburg interpreter who portrayed James Lafayette, a spy during the Revolutionary War, said the students’ questions were a highlight of the program.
One moment that stood out was when Seals told the students that Lafayette was a resident and not a citizen. The students asked about the historical difference between the two.
“The thing that I love about young people is that they have the best questions. It was wonderful once they knew who I was … to have them ask questions to better understand the world that we lived in,” Seals said.
At the time, being a resident meant living in Virginia, while citizenship was a legal status that carried certain rights and privileges.
“The fact that the youth were wanting to know about that and have conversations about it. It’s great to know that they’re thinking about things at that level already,” said Seals.
After the activities, the students broke for lunch before returning to their schools.
Earlier in the day, Bryan Austin, the interpreter portraying James Madison, spoke to the students about the ideals behind the American Revolution.
“[The founding fathers] fought the American Revolution … upon a hope that all are created equal. That they are endowed by certain unalienable rights. That the rights of human nature should be what America stands for,” Austin said.
