Weddingbee boards

We're getting married at the home of a former president, a sort of controversial figure, especially for anyone that paid attention in their US history classes.  We chose the sight for it's beauty, not because this president is our favorite president or something--he, like most presidents, had good, bad, and ugly things about his presidency and I admire him for his accomplishments, and other things he was responsible for make me unspeakably sad.  I would like to put some information about him on the tables at our reception, so if anyone is interested in learning more about him, they can.  I would like to put it all in there--the positive and the negative.  I'm a bit of a history nerd, so I don't know if it's just me that would find something like this interesting.  What do you think?

@MsTerrapin - Yes, it's The Hermitage, good job!  I definitely don't want it to be depressing, but I just don't see how I can write something about Andrew Jackson without mentioning the Trail of Tears.  Right?  I wouldn't want anyone to think I was skipping something simply because it's unpleasant--but is it too depressing to mention and should I just skip the whole thing?

If it's a historical site, I am going to guess that there's a brochure or something that you can make available to people about the site.  Or, you could make a little brochure of your own just about the history of the site.  You could put it out on the escort card table or out on the tables during cocktail hour. 

Focusing on the actual place and not necessarily the president's term would be a good way to bring attention to the venue and avoid talking about all the not so happy things they do.

I'm a history grad student- so it's not for lack of love for history that I say I wouldn't do it.  To put out honest information you would have to bring up a very sad discussion of human evil, and I don't see how that will improve anyone's experience of the event.  Of the three presidents I can think of associated with Nashville, there aren't any that I would want to discuss on my wedding day. For those who don't know about whoever it is, then there is no reason to inform them of this person's connection to slavery or the trail or tears or whatever.  And for those who do know, well they also know the two of you and they know that you aren't like that.  Just focus on the fact that it is a beautiful venue which will be filled with your family and friends celebrating the joy of your wedding.  There's no need to bring up the misdeeds of whoever used to own the place.

@mayeast06 and @MissAsB - Points well taken, I definitely want to keep it light, but I'm having trouble reconciling that with the man himself and what he did during his Presidency!  Part of the reason I wanted to do this was because I didn't want anyone to think that we chose his home for our wedding being blithely unaware of what he did.  I just don't know!!

@veganglam - Thanks!  It is just like me to do something like this, and I was kind of hoping that, like you said, it wouldn't be all the controversial since he was president in the 19th century.  But, the Trail of Tears was so awful, I don't know if it ever will stop hurting people to think about it.  

@MsTerrapin - That's an interesting idea!  I'll talk to FI about it and see what he thinks.  We're also getting married on JFK's birthday, so maybe we can talk about that as well if there aren't enough Hermitage facts to fill up a little pamphlet.  

@LadyGoodman - That's a good idea, and I'll check with the site coordinator.  Focusing on just the sight might be a better idea, now that I'm getting feedback.  Thanks!

@greenleafmountain - I REALLY appreciate your feedback, I totally see what you're saying.  Thank you so much!

I think people are busy enough at the reception without needing reading material. But, how about on the back of your programs? Sort of, this site is the home of Andrew Jackson so we just wanted you to know a bit about the place. I can always use reading material while waiting for the ceremony to start.

@rachelss - That's a good idea too, I'll think about that!  I was thinking the reception because I'm worried that the tables will look bare since we're doing a buffet and there won't be place settings.  

I don't know bees, I'm so conflicted about the whole thing!  :(

I wouldn't worry about the tables looking bare- I've never noticed that before at buffet weddings.  But wouldn't the plates and silverware be at the tables, and then the people would take their plate up with them to the buffet?  I also really wouldn't worry about people judging you based on Jackson's failings- these are your closest friends and family, they're there because they love you not because they want to judge you.

I'm still not a fan of the idea, but if you do decide you want to write something you could post it here before you make your final decision and we could tell you what we think.  I just think it would be jarring to read something like "Welcome guests to the beautiful home of Andrew Jackson, which was build by slave labor using the profits Jackson made while speculating and trafficking in human beings.  Jackson, our seventh president, is best know for his murderous raids against the Seminole Indians, and for his genocidal policies against the Cherokee, better known as the "Trail of Tears".  Please enjoy the candy buffet before you leave!" 

Please don't stress yourself out over this. If you don't bring it up at all, no one will think about it, which on this occasion, is probably for the best.  You're going to have a joyful day, who needs all that baggage?

@greenleafmountain - Thank you.  I think you're right, I think I'll skip it.  I've been doing a lot of research on him lately (my PhD program doesn't start until August, so I'm short of things to keep my brain engaged), and this has been bothering me, and I wasn't sure how to address it.  But from all the feedback I've received here, it seems that not addressing it might be best.  Sidenote: we're doing nice plastic, since the reception is outside I didn't see the need to rent actual dishes and our plastic looks almost real, so I'm not going to put them on the tables beforehand.  Hence my concern about empty tables!!  

But really, thanks to ALL of you--this was exactly what I needed to work through this quandary.  

@vintage2010 - Cool idea!  Thanks!!  I REALLY like that for the OOT bags, because my FMIL is making them and is a bit at a loss as to what to put in them!

Mrsmdphd- good luck with both the wedding and grad school, two very exciting but challenging things! :)

@shellyjean - Thanks!  That's a great idea, and it's fun to "meet" another Nashville bride!  Do you have ideas of where to get all that fun info?  You can PM me if you do!  :)