May 30, 2008 — On June 6-7, the University of Virginia Center for Politics will host distinguished speakers from Virginia politics for a special two-day Virginia Political History Project. Titled "Ten Years of Good Politics," the event will be held at the center's future home, Montesano, off Old Ivy Road (see schedule below).

Guest speakers will include U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode Jr. (R-Va.); Larry J. Sabato, a U.Va. professor of politics and director of the Center for Politics; Martha Randolph Carr and Shannon Lanier, descendants of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings; Stephen Adkins, Paul Harris, W. Ferguson Reid and Eva Scott.
 
This conference and open house will conclude the Center for Politics' 10th year of improving civic education and increasing civic participation through nonpartisan, interdisciplinary research, analysis and educational programs.
 
All events are free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Members of the media interested in covering any portion of the event should contact Matt Smyth at 434-243-8466 or Isaac Wood at 434-243-4087.

For additional information, including online registration, visit the Center's Web site at www.centerforpolitics.org/programs/govcon.

Ten Years of Good Politics

Friday, June 6
10 a.m. — Doors open at Montesano
11 a.m. — View our documentary "Wilder: An American First"
Noon — U.Va. Politics professor Paul Freedman presents "Thirty-Second Democracy: Election 2008 Media Coverage"
1:45 p.m . — View portions of our upcoming documentary, "Questioning the Constitution" with producer Mason Mills, as well as Jefferson and Madison reenactors
3 p.m. — Martha Randolph Carr and Shannon Lanier, two Jefferson cousins discuss race, politics and DNA
4:15 p.m. — Southwater Bluegrass Band

Saturday, June 7
8 a.m. — First Annual Center for Politics Golf Classic at Birdwood Golf Course
10 a.m. — Doors open at Montesano
11 a.m. — U.Va. professor and Center for Politics director Larry J. Sabato welcomes guests
11:15 a.m. — U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode Jr. discusses youth civic engagement
12:15 p.m. — View "Questioning the Constitution" with Larry J. Sabato
2 p.m. — "Virginia Firsts" panel with Stephen Adkins, Paul Harris, W. Ferguson Reid and Eva Scott; moderated by Cordel Faulk of the Richmond Times-Dispatch
3:30 p.m. — View "Sarge Reynolds: A Documentary"
4:15 p.m. — Southwater Bluegrass Band










The events are free and open to the public. To register, and for information, directions and parking instructions, visit www.centerforpolitics.org/programs/govcon or e-mail cfp-programs@virginia.edu.