Jackson and Education

A new exhibit opened on December 1st, 1999 at the Stonewall Jackson House in Lexington, Virginia . This temporary exhibit entitled "Jackson and Education" focuses on Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson's home schooling, his role as a teacher, and the 19th century educational context in which he worked. It features items connected to Jackson's days as a pupil in rural Clarksburg , Virginia (now West Virginia), as a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and as a professor at the Virginia Military Institute. Visitors have the opportunity to examine a photo of a building in which Jackson attended classes as a child, his diploma, a 19th century West Point uniform, textbooks and grade reports from the courses he taught at VMI, and documents that explore the question of Jackson's skill as an instructor.

General T.J. "Stonewall " Jackson stained glass window at the Washington National Cathedral showing Jackson instructing his students at the Virginia Military Institute. To see the entire image, click on the picture above. Approximate load time 40 seconds on a 28.8 modem connection. This image has been graciously provided by the Washington National Cathedral.

The exhibit encourages visitors to consider what a good education meant for people like Jackson in the 19th century, and what educational opportunities were available for children of different ages, genders, and races. One section of the exhibit will explore the topic of natural philosophy, the subject Jackson taught at VMI. The exhibit will remain open through October, 2000.

Previous Exhibit can be viewed HERE