U.S. Capitol Historical Society
200 Maryland Ave., NE
Washington D.C., 20002

A new elementary school pageant is focused on the Masonic laying of the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol.

The New York Times recently released a survey showing that more American teenagers could name the Three Stooges than the three branches of the U.S. Government. This startling statistic reveals that many young Americans fail to grasp even the basic elements of citizenship.

The United States Capitol Historical Society’s flagship educational program, the "Where Freedom Speaks" pageant, seeks to combat this troubling social trend. The program introduces elementary school students to the core principles of American democracy through the re-creation of the Masonic ceremony conducted by George Washington at the laying of the Capitol cornerstone in 1793. Students learn a better appreciation of representative democracy, their responsibility to participate in the governing process, and their connection to the nation’s history. As one young actor remarks in the instructional tape that tells how to produce the program, "Where Freedom Speaks" shows us that "history is in ourselves."

A boxed kit, a valuable resource for elementary school teachers or community leaders, tells how to put on the play. It includes an instructional video, an audiotape of the music used in the original production, a 27-page lesson guide (with related additional reading materials, tests, and learning projects), a 23-page production guide, and a copy of the script and the sheet music. The video shows how the students of St. Francis de Sales, a parochial school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, performed the first "Where Freedom Speaks" pageant in September 1994. The school’s staff discusses production of the play, including how the Catholic nuns made the Masonic uniforms for the participants.

Dressed as Masons, elementary school children conduct a reenactment of George Washington laying the cornerstone of the United States Capitol.

Part of the program’s value is that it integrates valuable lessons of individual citizenship with practical classroom activities. Through the production process, students hone skills in such fundamental areas as history and research, mathematics and design, singing and public speaking, acting and socialization. The pageant format is flexible, allowing teachers to involve from 25 to 100 students from various grade levels. Teachers also may add their own ideas, patriotic songs, and related materials.

The play’s national capital debut at Watkins Elementary School drew city politicians, school board officials, and Masons from local Lodges. Several Brethren displayed Washington’s gavel and trowel during the pageant and spoke to students and guests after the performance. Also attending the children’s rendition of the pageant were representatives from The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, which underwrote the distribution costs of the "Where Freedom Speaks" kits to Washington area schools in the fall of 1998. Since the program’s inception, more than 900 kits have been made available to schools nationwide through the generous support of other sponsors like General Dynamics Corporation, Kemper Insurance Companies, and GTE Corporation. Also, 25 Members of Congress have supported the U.S Capitol Historical Society program by reviewing it and writing letters of introduction to educators receiving the kit.

The United States Capitol Historical Society, a 36-year-old non-profit, non-partisan educational organization, was chartered by Congress to educate the public on the history and heritage of the Capitol and Congress. It developed "Where Freedom Speaks" in 1993, the bicentennial of the Masonic laying of the Capitol cornerstone, in conjunction with educational consultants and Society board member, Carmella LaSpada.

If you are interested in distributing "Where Freedom Speaks" kits ($50 each or less in larger quantities) through your Lodge or Temple, local elementary schools or other community venues, please contact the Society’s Manager of Educational Outreach, Sandra White, at 202– 543–8919, ext. 28. Or, write to Ms. White at the address at the head of this article.