Humanities on the Hill
In 1986 the Federation sponsored a public lecture by renowned Wordsworth scholar Rachel Trickett from Oxford University, whose second visit to the U.S. in 1963 was as a Fulbright Scholar. Her lively and illuminating lecture, presented to an audience of members of Congress, humanities councils and the public, celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Fulbright Exchange Program, honored Sen. J. William Fulbright, who was in attendance, and gave rise to the annual Federation-sponsored "Humanities on the Hill" event.
"Humanities on the Hill" has since become a spring ritual, a two-day event during which board and staff members of state humanities councils across the country come to Washington DC to host their members of Congress at a breakfast or reception at which the humanities themselves are the centerpiece. Presenters over the years have included filmmaker Ken Burns, prize-winning authors Taylor Branch and Stephen Ambrose, and Jefferson scholar Clay Jenkinson, among many others. For two days surrounding this event, council members visit the offices of their members of Congress, delivering information about the programs in their state and describing the immeasurable impact of these programs on the lives of local citizens. By the time council members head back home after "Humanities on the Hill," their members of Congress are better informed about what the humanities are and why they are so important to the life of this nation.
Pastel © Kevin Osborn 2001