The Jefferson Lies in Williamsburg, VA

While visiting Colonial Williamsburg yesterday, I ran into a surprising display. See below:

The Jefferson Lies was on a prominent display along side other legitimate books of scholarship in the Williamsburg Visitor’s Center bookstore. When I talked to the manager about the book, he was sympathetic but said there was nothing he could do, saying such books are included as a business decision.

Idealist that I am, I was disappointed to see it there. Gentle readers, weigh in. Should I be surprised? Am I expecting too much of a place which strives for historical integrity to have those values spill over into decisions about which books to carry in the book store? I was at Monticello yesterday also and the bookstore there did not carry the book; why should Williamsburg?

24 thoughts on “The Jefferson Lies in Williamsburg, VA”

  1. I would not be surprised. Free speech and all, and of course, needful Christian interpretations of our history sell.

  2. If memory serves, there was a similar controversy about a young earth creationist book about the Grand Canyon being sold there. I think it was eventually withdrawn, but I don’t have the time to research it at this time.

  3. If memory serves, there was a similar controversy about a young earth creationist book about the Grand Canyon being sold there. I think it was eventually withdrawn, but I don’t have the time to research it at this time.

  4. Chalk one up for Barton, this helps legitimize his views. I’m really surprised Colonial Williamsburg feels the economic need to sell a book like this. Remember when we got all worked up about a Disney historical theme park near Manassas?

  5. Chalk one up for Barton, this helps legitimize his views. I’m really surprised Colonial Williamsburg feels the economic need to sell a book like this. Remember when we got all worked up about a Disney historical theme park near Manassas?

  6. Folks, I was given contact info for those who want to write Williamsburg Foundation to express their concern over The Jefferson Lies being in their bookstore. Teresa West is Director of Retail at Colonial Williamsburg and her email is [email protected].

  7. I definitely second Dave. Williamsburg is for the whole country, not just a select few, and the implied endorsement of The Jefferson Lies by a place like this affirms its historical accuracy and propagates the lies it contains, besides deceiving those who might purchase it as a historical source (although the title does kind of give it away). I’d definitely send a letter signed by as many REAL profs as possible, making them aware and as Dave said, suggesting a replacement.

  8. Oops .. my bad .. Williamsburg is not a National Park .. still, I think sending a letter of concern is a good idea. At lest they would have an alternative book possibility.

    Dave

  9. Folks, I was given contact info for those who want to write Williamsburg Foundation to express their concern over The Jefferson Lies being in their bookstore. Teresa West is Director of Retail at Colonial Williamsburg and her email is [email protected].

  10. This is just more evidence demonstrating the importance of the work you are doing Warren, et al. Barton’s poisonous version of history infects more and more people with each passing day. I don’t know if you’re aware of this yet, but here is yet another instance of its possible spread into new territory….Public Broadcasting!

    http://www.wbhm.org/News/2012/APTVfirings.html

    Hopefully common sense will prevail in this still unresolved issue in Alabama, but it is somewhat shocking to me to know that members of the APTV board are even considering putting a Barton history video series into their line-up.

  11. @David Roberts

    “What “business decision” overrides the primary purpose of national historical landmarks?”

    My first hypothesis would be “keeping donors/investors happy.”

  12. I definitely second Dave. Williamsburg is for the whole country, not just a select few, and the implied endorsement of The Jefferson Lies by a place like this affirms its historical accuracy and propagates the lies it contains, besides deceiving those who might purchase it as a historical source (although the title does kind of give it away). I’d definitely send a letter signed by as many REAL profs as possible, making them aware and as Dave said, suggesting a replacement.

  13. Perhaps you and your fellow professors could write a letter of concern to the National Park Service at Williamsburg. Might I also suggest that you suggest an alternate book (your choice) .. one that you believe more accurately portrays the faith of the founding fathers and the religous culture of the day.

    Dave

  14. Let’s not forget that Virginia is the home of Liberty University, the late J.Falwell’s Moral Majority Movement and the arcane but still muttering Pat Robertson and his 700 Club. It is also the home of former crazed GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum. L.LaRouche and God knows how many other fanatical right wingers. Barton’s books like those of another fundamentalist Rick Warren,obviously strike heart warming chords amongst the fundy faithful.

    Ignorance is bliss in Virginia.

  15. Oops .. my bad .. Williamsburg is not a National Park .. still, I think sending a letter of concern is a good idea. At lest they would have an alternative book possibility.

    Dave

  16. This is just more evidence demonstrating the importance of the work you are doing Warren, et al. Barton’s poisonous version of history infects more and more people with each passing day. I don’t know if you’re aware of this yet, but here is yet another instance of its possible spread into new territory….Public Broadcasting!

    http://www.wbhm.org/News/2012/APTVfirings.html

    Hopefully common sense will prevail in this still unresolved issue in Alabama, but it is somewhat shocking to me to know that members of the APTV board are even considering putting a Barton history video series into their line-up.

  17. It has become obvious that the book is full of gross inaccuracies, many or all of which it appears may very well be intentional. No legitimate historical landmark should be presenting this book, certainly not without the caveat that it is fiction. Williamsburg locations are there to education visitors on the true historical record, not dupe them with theocratic nonsense. What “business decision” overrides the primary purpose of national historical landmarks?

  18. I would not be surprised. Free speech and all, and of course, needful Christian interpretations of our history sell.

  19. @David Roberts

    “What “business decision” overrides the primary purpose of national historical landmarks?”

    My first hypothesis would be “keeping donors/investors happy.”

  20. Perhaps you and your fellow professors could write a letter of concern to the National Park Service at Williamsburg. Might I also suggest that you suggest an alternate book (your choice) .. one that you believe more accurately portrays the faith of the founding fathers and the religous culture of the day.

    Dave

  21. Let’s not forget that Virginia is the home of Liberty University, the late J.Falwell’s Moral Majority Movement and the arcane but still muttering Pat Robertson and his 700 Club. It is also the home of former crazed GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum. L.LaRouche and God knows how many other fanatical right wingers. Barton’s books like those of another fundamentalist Rick Warren,obviously strike heart warming chords amongst the fundy faithful.

    Ignorance is bliss in Virginia.

  22. It has become obvious that the book is full of gross inaccuracies, many or all of which it appears may very well be intentional. No legitimate historical landmark should be presenting this book, certainly not without the caveat that it is fiction. Williamsburg locations are there to education visitors on the true historical record, not dupe them with theocratic nonsense. What “business decision” overrides the primary purpose of national historical landmarks?

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