Celebrate Women’s History Month with Preservation Virginia and the
Randolph-Macon College History Department. We are hosting “Sir, We Are Not
Weak – Women of the Patrick Henry Household,” a panel discussion on the
women in Patrick Henry’s life during his residence at Scotchtown on March
23 in the SunTrust Theater (Brock Commons—center of campus) at
Randolph-Macon College. March 23 also marks the 244th anniversary of
Henry’s famous “Liberty or Death” speech.

The panel discussion will begin at 10:00 a.m. and feature:

   - Mark Couvillon, who has spent over 30 years studying the life of
   Patrick Henry. He is the author of “Patrick Henry’s Virginia” and “The
   Demosthenes of His Age.” Couvillon is currently writing a book on the women
   in Henry’s life.
   - Jon Kukla, an American historian, former director of Red Hill Patrick
   Henry National Memorial and author of “Patrick Henry: Champion of Liberty.”
   - Gretchen Pendleton, curator of the newly furnished bedchamber at
   Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown. Pendleton previously served as a curator at
   Stratford Hall and George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

Following the panel discussion, a meet and greet will be held with
panelists at 11:30 a.m. Mark and Jon will be available to sign copies of
their books brought by guests or purchased on-site through Preservation
Virginia, benefiting Scotchtown.
Curator Tour at Scotchtown

Gretchen Pendleton will host a special curator tour of the newly furnished
bedchamber at Scotchtown at 1:00 p.m. Location: 16120 Chiswell Lane,
Beaverdam, Virginia 23015

Background

When Patrick and Sarah Henry moved into Scotchtown, it was thought that
Sarah would take on the responsibilities of managing the plantation.
Unfortunately, after the birth of their last child together, Sarah became
increasingly ill. During her illness, many Henry women stepped up to manage
the home. Patrick’s mother and eldest daughter and his infant grandchild
moved in. After Sarah’s passing, Patrick’s sister came to manage the
household. Throughout it all, the enslaved housekeepers kept the estate
running. These women, did far more than manage Scotchtown. They each have
remarkable stories. The newly furnished bedchamber at Scotchtown reflects
their roles and responsibilities during the tumultuous time that Patrick
Henry lived in the home.
Admission

   - Preservation Virginia members
   <https://preservationvirginia.org/support/membership/>: $10, non-members:
   $20
   - Randolph-Macon College students, faculty and staff: Free

*Photos and/or video may be taken during the event. By registering, you
grant Preservation Virginia permission to use photographs and/or video of
you for marketing purposes.*
Parking

Visitors can park in the Blackwell lot or the Fox lot across from Fox Hall.

This event was made possible with support from the Hopkins Family
Foundation.



<http://preservationvirginia.org/>

*Jennifer Hurst-Wender*

*Director of Museum Operations and Education*

PRESERVATION VIRGINIA

204 West Franklin Street

Richmond, VA 23220

*Phone:* 804-648.1889 ex. 315 | *Fax:* 804-775-0802

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*Our mission is to make Virginia’s communities and historic places of
memory stronger, more vital and economically sustainable through
preservation, education and advocacy.*

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