First Federal Congress Project Reception

Celebrating the First Federal Congress Project 

      22-Volume Series Completion - April 28, 2017

Anderson House Reception

On April 28th, 2017, I was privileged to attend a reception at the Larz Anderson House, a Gilded Age mansion, located at 2118 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, on Embassy Row in the DuPont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D. C, which is now home to the Society of the Cincinnati's international headquarters.

This remarkable gathering occurred to celebrate the completion First Federal Congress Project's 22-Volume series of scholarship on the United States House of Representatives and Senate in Congress Assembled that met from March 4, 1789, to March 4, 1791, during the first two years of George Washington's presidency, first at Federal Hall in New York City and later at Congress Hall in Philadelphia.

This First Federal Congress project, which commenced operations in the 1960's, was charged with ferreting out, accumulating, researching, editing, and annotating the complete record of the First US Congress that convened under the current United States Constitution 229 years ago.  

At the reception, I learned that this herculean project was funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the National Endowment for the Humanities, numerous private institutions and philanthropists.  The project's Co-editors, Charlene Bickford and Kenneth Bowling, were the hosts for the celebration. 

Initially, I decided to record segment of the speeches for my wife, Naomi Yavneh Klos, who was unable to attend the event.   Shortly into the program, I realized that no video was being made so I decided to continue my recording until the battery on my phone gave out.   I apologize in advance for the video's quality but can report that the excellent speeches can be heard and I managed to capture the entire presentation.

I believe this amature video merits the post because it captures the culmination of a most extraordinary accomplishment that stands as the standard-bearer of excellence for all future academic research and scholarship in the field of documentary editing.   Bravo All

The Society of Cincinnati, George Washington University, John Hopkins University Press and the Editors invite you to a reception celebrating the publication of Volumes 21 and 22 and the completion of the Documentary History of the First Federal Congress, 1789-1791, Friday April 28, 2017, Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington D.C.