Students Tour Constitution Center with Jack Bogle ’47

A.P. government and U.S. history students traveled to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on April 12, where they were greeted by Jack Bogle ’47, current chairman of the Constitution Center’s board, former chairman of Blair’s Board of Trustees, and founder and former chairman of The Vanguard Group, Inc. – the second-largest mutual fund organization in the world.

Mr. Bogle accompanied students on their tour of the center, which included a special exhibit, “Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World.” This exposition, which runs until April 30, made its world premier at the center and is the only East Coast venue for it. The exhibition explores Franklin’s ingenious problem-solving methods and includes his inventions, as well as the China he bought for his wife in Europe and other household items (see photos below). According to the center’s Web site, the 8,000 square-foot exhibition was “designed in the spirit of his curiosity, wit and wisdom.”

As for the Center itself, it exposes visitors to important events in America’s history and utilizes interactive exhibits to demonstrate how and why the United States Constitution is as important today as it was 216 years ago. In fact, Mr. Bogle has viewed the main presentation, “Freedom Rising,” many times and noted, “It still brings tears to my eyes.” Before the group headed for home, he spoke to the students about his own experience at Blair and advised them to “make the most” of their time here. Jim Connor, chair of the history department, and history teacher Stacey Spring ’95 accompanied students on their trip. Posted 4/12/06

Click on images to view larger.

Students in “Signers Room”		Jack Bogle ‘47 speaks to students after their tour of the Center.
Students in “Signers Room”		Students in “Signers Room”
The Grand Hall		Front Facade, National Constitution Center
The American National Tree		“Electrical Battery” of Leyden jars, American Philosophical Society, Photo Credit: Peter Harholdt
Pieces from a tea service with Chantilly sprig pattern: cup with handle, cup without handle (tea bowl), two saucers, and a teapot, Antoine Guérhard and Christophe Dihl, Manufacture d’Angoulême, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh; Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Photo Credit: Peter Harholdt		Glass armonica (English), Charles James (designed by Benjamin Franklin), Franklin Institute The Frankliniana Collection, The Franklin Institute, Inc., Philadelphia, Photo Credit: Peter Harholdt

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