December First Wednesday Luncheon
Westfield Historical Society
“The Bill of Rights: How the Losers of Constitutional Ratification Nevertheless Contributed Significantly” with Dr. James Hewitt
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 11:45 a.m. 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 that at every moment have influenced the 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 to 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 now 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 towestfieldhistoricalsociety@gmail.com; or, by calling 908-654-1794, by Thursday, December 1. 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. 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, online atwestfieldhistoricalsociety.org/registration. 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
Since 1968, the 501(c)(3) non-profit Westfield Historical Society has worked to preserve, interpret, and encourage interest in history, Westfield, and its residents through educational efforts and community outreach programs.
For more information on the Westfield Historical Society and their events, visit westfieldhistoricalsociety.org, like on Facebook, and follow on Instagram.
Photo courtesy of Dr. James Hewitt
