Pupils thrilled by visit from Gen. Washington

By MAUREEN DAYE
Correspondent

MILLSTONE — Gen. George Washington paid a visit to the Millstone Township Middle School and faced a question and answer session from pupils who wanted to know about his life and accomplishments.

The Oct. 27 visit from Gen. Washington featured re-enactor William Agress.

“What are the three things I wish to be famous for when I’m gone,” Washington said to open his presentation. “There are only three.”

The pupils determined that Washington wanted to be known as the commanding general of the Continental Army, as the first president of the United States of America and as the presiding officer at the constitutional convention.

Sixth grade social studies teacher Jaime Golizio said the pupils worked together to research a biography about Washington and considered all of the information they had begun to learn in September to formulate probing questions.

“During the Q&A session, students were called upon to share their best question and Gen. Washington answered them on the fly,” Golizio said. “It was an exciting experience.”

The teacher shared some of the interesting interchanges she heard between the pupils and Washington.

“How did it feel to fight for the British in the French and Indian War and then many years later fight against the British in the Revolution?” one pupil asked.

Washington responded, saying, “Many years had passed in between the wars and the British had governed the colonies so unfairly. It was clear to me where my true allegiance lay.”

Another pupil asked the general if Martha Washington was supportive of him and his beliefs. Without missing a beat, Washington answered, “Yes, she was, although we had very different views on slavery.”

Pat Butch, president of the Friends of Millstone Township Historic Registered Properties, said the organization seeks to bring exciting programs to school that reinforce the school district’s curriculum. The volunteers from the Friends enjoyed working with Golizio and sixth grade teacher Kevin Norris to coordinate the special day.

“We hope to enrich the students’ experiences with memorable events,” Butch said. “This is the first year we have brought Gen. Washington to the school.”

Even Butch, who is a history aficionado, learned some new facts that day.

“The most interesting fact I learned about Gen. Washington is that he had three sets of false teeth. One was made out of ivory, another set was made from cows teeth and the third was made of human teeth,” Butch said.

Butch said the Friends approached Principal Christopher Huss with the idea of seeking a Millstone Township Foundation for Educational Excellence grant that would cover Washington’s visit and two other reenactment events at the school.

“Dr. Huss liked the idea, so the Friends wrote the grant,” Butch said. “He then reviewed and submitted it. The Friends and Dr. Huss were awarded the grant from the foundation for 2015-16.”

Butch serves on the Friends Education Committee with Debbie Novellino and Joann Kelty, who is the township historian. During the general’s visit, Novellino took pictures and Kelty presented a workshop.

Kelty focused on a ghost story set during the Revolutionary War and told the children about Revolutionary War participants who came from Millstone. She said local roads are named after those patriots, including Perrineville, Conover, Baird and Forman roads, and Sweetmans Lane.

“The students took home maps of Millstone as it is today and as it was in the 1780s,” Butch said, adding that the pupils seemed enthralled by Washington.