Delaware representative’s role in 1800 election is Oct. 12 topic

The Milford Museum will continue its American History Series at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, at Milford Public Library, 11 SE Front St., Milford.

Guest speaker Lew Miller will present, “The 1800 Presidential Election: John Adams v. Thomas Jefferson.”

The election of 1800 was the first peaceful transfer of power between  two adversarial administrations in U.S. history, but just barely. It involved several familiar names: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. The election involved several issues citizens still debate today: states' rights versus a strong central government, the national debt, national defense, and religion in politics. The decision as to who would be sworn in as president in 1801 came down to James A. Bayard, Delaware's sole member in the House of Representatives, a statesman who played an important role in history. 

Miller worked in public education for 47 years. He taught United States and world history, then served as a district administrator, finishing as Caesar Rodney School District’s director of instruction. He has been a speaker at both state and national education conferences. He also co-founded an educational consulting business. Today he helps with legal research for a law firm.

Sponsored by the Milford Museum, these monthly programs focus on a variety of topics concerning local, state and national history.

For more information, contact the museum at 302-424-1080 or tom@milforddemuseum.org. These programs are offered through a generous grant from the Delaware Heritage Commission.