For the Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series in December, guests are welcome to the luncheon at Echo Lake Country Club on Wednesday December 7, 2022 beginning with check-in at 11:45am. History expert, Dr. James Hewitt, will speak about “The Bill of Rights: How the Losers of Constitutional Ratification nevertheless contributed significantly to the Constitution.”
The famous French historian, Fernand Braudel (1902-1985), warned that we distort history when we ignore the losers in a conflict, because losing movements are forces what at every moment have influenced the final outcome. The interpretation of the ratification of the Federal Constitution exemplifies Braudel’s dictum. Generations of historians have portrayed Alexander Hamilton, and his fellow Federalists, as the epic heroes of the ratification struggle, who, like the legendary Horatius at the bridge, are seen defending the infant republic and winning a magnificent victory against overwhelming odds. If the apparent facts of the case seem to sustain such a treatment, a deeper look from the point of view of the Anti-Federalist losers may suggest another interpretation.
James S. Hewitt, Ph.D., has family roots going back in Westfield NJ more than a century. His great-grandparents moved to Westfield on North Avenue in 1901. The family home alone remained standing, until 1974, in what became, in 1961, the Hayne’s and later the Lord and Taylor department store’s parking lot.
A graduate of Westfield High School and Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dr. Hewitt has a Master’s and Doctorate at UMass/Amherst in British and European history. While in Amherst he did college teaching and university administrative work. Following graduate work in business at the Wharton School at UPenn in Philadelphia, Dr. Hewitt moved to New York City. While in NYC he first worked with the New York City Transit Authority and then joined the Trinity Church/Wall Street’s Real Estate Department and ultimately established his own business in commercial leasing and business brokerage in Greenwich Village. Jim Hewitt has returned to this area where he lives in his parent’s home in Mountainside and actively participates in local activities including the Westfield Presbyterian Church and the Old Guard of Summit among other places.
Those wishing to attend the luncheon may make a reservation by email to westfieldhistoricalsociety@gmail.com; or, by calling 908-654-1794, before Thursday, December 1sty. Please advise if there are special dietary needs. The luncheon fee of $35 (WHS members) or $40 (non-members) includes a three-course meal, coffee/tea, and gratuity. Depending on Covid transmission levels, tables will be spaced out and mask wearing is suggested except when actively eating or drinking. The luncheon fee should be paid in advance (check payable to Westfield Historical Society) by mailing to Westfield Historical Society, P.O. Box 613, Westfield, NJ 07091; by Venmo to @Westfield-HistoricalSociety; or, here at the Registration tab at the top of this page. Registration and payments should be received by Friday prior to the luncheon. Attendees should check the club’s dress code at: echolakecc.org/guest-info
