[229] ‘MTSU On the Record’ takes historic road trip to America’s origins

MURFREESBORO — A deeper look at what motivated our Founding Fathers is on tap for the next “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Host Gina Logue’s interview with John Vile, dean of the University Honors College, will air from 8 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, and from 6 to 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, on WMOT-FM/Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org.

Vile, a political scientist and native Virginian, will teach “Junior Interdisciplinary Seminar: The Constitutional and Political Legacy of America’s Founders” in the spring 2017 semester. During spring break, March 4-11, the class will visit numerous locations in Virginia and the District of Columbia.

The itinerary for the spring break trip includes:

·      Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson’s private retreat in Forest, Virginia;

·      Monticello (Jefferson’s estate) and Ash Lawn (James Monroe’s home) in Charlottesville, Virginia;

·      Montpelier (James Madison’s home), in Orange, Virginia;

·      St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia, where Patrick Henry delivered his famous “give me liberty or give me death” speech;

·      Several sites in Williamsburg, Virginia, including the College of William and Mary;

·      Mount Vernon (George Washington’s home) in Mount Vernon, Virginia;

·      Gunston Hall (George Mason’s home) in Lorton, Virginia; and

·      The National Archives and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

“We’re primarily concentrating on the period from 1776 to roughly 1791, you know, some of the early presidents,” said Vile. “We are going to try to integrate some work related to women and African-Americans, who sometimes get overlooked in the period.”

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, go to http://bit.ly/mtsu-otr.

For more information, contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.