Beech Tree News Network

Green River NSDAR, together with Kentucky Chautauqua, will present Henry Clay: Kentucky’s Great Statesman at the home of Denzil & Christine Coleman June 18, 6:00 P.M.

A Kentuckian whose political genius made him one of the greatest statesmen of the 19th century will live again when Kentucky Chautauqua presents George McGee in a compelling living history portrayal of Henry Clay (1777-1852).

Despite never quite achieving his dearest ambition- the presidency- Henry clay made an indelible mark on the history of his country, which he served as a senator, speaker of the house and secretary of state. Born and educated in Virginia, Clay moved to Kentucky and set up a law practice in Lexington in 1797. Elected to the state legislature in 1803, he won a seat in the U.S House of Representatives in 1811.

For the next 40 years, he was a major player on the national political scene, winning fame as the Great Compromiser. Slavery posed a large political and personal quandary for Clay. A slaveholder himself, he advocated gradual emancipation and colonization in Africa. In congress, he opposed extension of slavery into the new western states. Clay died in Washington in 1852 and is buried in Lexington Cemetery.

McGee, of Georgetown, is Director of theater at Georgetown College and a veteran actor who has worked on the stage, in films, and on network television. He has also portrayed Elijah Craig for Kentucky Chautauqua.

Kentucky Chautauqua is an exclusive presentation of the Kentucky Humanities council, Inc. with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and from: The honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, People’s Bank and Trust Company of Hazard, the Brown-Forman Corporation, Union College, Scripps Howard Foundation, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, PNC bank in Lexington, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc.

The Kentucky Humanities Council is a non-profit Kentucky corporation affiliate with the National Endowment for the Humanities. It is not a state agency, but is a proud partner of Kentucky’s Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. For information, visit www.kyhumanities.org or call (859) 257-5932.