Join us to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and discover the untold story of Julia Sand, unearthed from the Library of Congress archives.
Following a reception in the Eaton Cinema foyer, there will be a 7:00 pm screening of Dear Mr. President: The Letters of Julia Sand.
We will gather 145 years to the day, on July 2, 1881, when President James A. Garfield was shot by assassin Charles Guiteau, which left the nation in a state of uncertainty. Many suspected Vice President Chester A. Arthur, a beneficiary of the spoils system, to be party to the plot. The country dreaded his accession to the presidency. In the immediate aftermath, New Yorker—and civic heroine—Julia Sand wrote to the soon-to-be President Arthur. In a series of 23 letters, she implored and eventually convinced him to champion civil service reform.
When: 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Thursday, July 2, 2026
Reception followed by screening.
Where: Eaton Cinema, 1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005
Questions: [email protected] or 202.331.2764