The 2018 Dr. Paul H. Bergeron Constitution Day Lecture will feature professor Richard Pacelle, head of the department of political science at the University of Tennessee, for a lecture titled, “The Constitution: 18th Century Document in a 21st Century World?” He will tackle the daunting prospect of amending the nation’s most-loved, yet least-understood, founding document. Twenty-seven amendments have been ratified over the past 231 years, yet it’s been 26 years since the last one became law. Is it time to bring this 18th century document into the 21st century? At the very least, this thought-provoking presentation deepens the understanding of the historic instrument to which William Blount affixed his signature in 1787. The event will begin with a light reception in the mansion at 5:30 p.m., followed by the reception at 6:30 p.m. in the adjacent Visitors Center. Both are free and open to the public. Attire is business or business casual.

This annual lecture series is named in honor of Dr. Paul H. Bergeron, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Tennessee and longstanding Blount Mansion Association board member.