The Aaron Burr Conspiracy

We hope you join us for an evening of intrigue, politics, and frontier drama as historian Dr. James Lewis explores one of the most debated mysteries of the early American republic: the Aaron Burr Conspiracy. In 1806–1807, former Vice President Aaron Burr became the center of a national scandal involving rumors of western secession, private military expeditions, and an alleged plot to carve out an independent empire in the Mississippi Valley. His arrest and treason trial captivated the nation and tested the limits of presidential power, constitutional law, and public trust. Dr. Lewis will unpack the events, personalities, and political tensions that shaped the conspiracy, while also highlighting the important role the Muskingum region played in the unfolding drama. This program offers a compelling look at how local history intersects with national crisis during the formative years of the United States. Dr. James Lewis is a professor of history at Kalamazoo College and a leading scholar of early American political culture. His research and writing focus on the early republic, the frontier, and the complex forces that shaped the young nation. His engaging presentation style brings clarity and insight to one of America’s most enduring historical puzzles.