Download or read book Here, George Washington Was Born written by Seth C. Bruggeman and published by . This book was released on 2011-10-01 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Examines the history of commemoration in the U.S. by focusing on the George Washington Birthplace National Monument in Virginia. For nearly 80 years, controversy has surrounded a replica of the home in which Washington was born (the original burned in 1779). The building's appearance, purpose, and claims to historical authenticity have been repeatedly debated by the National Park Service and the civic group that spearheaded the replica's construction, among others. Bruggeman reconstructs negotiations among a host of often unexpected claimants on Washington's memory. He also reveals the centrality of race and gender in the construction of Washington's public memory. Illustrations.