Washington's Dispatches | Washington College

Is there a ghost in the President’s House?

10/23/2026

Many former residents have told tales of odd happenings, but is it just an old house creaking, or is there a ghost?

George Washington
Ghosts
Hynson-Ringgold House
Archives

An Annapolis Tea Party: The Burning of the “Peggy Stewart”

10/20/2026

On October 19, 1774, the citizens of Annapolis watched the brig Peggy Stewart and all its cargo be set ablaze by its owner. An act of early rebellion that stayed with many who witnessed it.

American Revolution
Annapolis
Peggy Stewart
Tea Act
Tea Party
Thomas Ringgold
USA 250th
Archives

Ghosts of White House Farm

10/13/2026

Unrequited love and a stain on a rock that won’t go away make a spooky tale for a Fall evening, but is the reality darker than any ghost story?

Ghost Stories
Maryland Collection
Slavery
White House Farm
Wilmer family
Archives

General Washington Orders the Formation of the Flying Camp

10/06/2026

The 11-month-long Siege of Boston ended in March 1776 when the Continental Army under General Washington fortified the strategic points in the city, and in fear of a repeat of the Battle of Bunker Hill, British General Howe and his troops withdrew to Nova Scotia. This constituted General Washington’s first victory of the war; however, Washington knew that he had a huge area of territory to defend and convened the Continental Congress to figure out an effective military strategy.

American Revolution
Flying Camp
Maryland Soldiers
USA 250th
Archives

Alexander Hamilton in the Archives

09/29/2026

In 1985, former Missouri Congressman James Wadsworth Symington gave Washington College a truly special gift: Alexander Hamilton’s personal copy of George Washington’s Message from the President of the United States of America.

Alexander Hamilton
Democracy
Foreign Policy
George Washington
Quasi-War
Rare Book Collection
USA 250th
Archives

“GATH”: A Washington College grammar school student becomes a celebrated journalist and author of works celebrating the history and lore of the Eastern Shore.

09/25/2026

In 1827, Washington College’s original (and only) college building was destroyed by fire. Shortly after the new college building, today’s Middle Hall, was built, the college admitted a limited number of grammar school students, who were educated in that same building. Among these young students was a boy who would go on to become a prolific, celebrated, and internationally-known journalist who also authored poems, short stories, and novels about Maryland and especially his native Eastern Shore.

Eastern Shore
George Alfred Townsend
Maryland Authors
Maryland Rare Collection

The Occupation of Philadelphia

09/22/2026

On September 26, 1777, the British, led by General Howe, marched into the new American capital of Philadelphia. Was this really a victory for the British?