2026 SPEAKER SERIES PRESENTATION

Aaron Burr by Rodger Morrow

This program was presented on February 17, 2026.
If anyone were ever to compile a rogues’ gallery of American history, Aaron Burr would be near the top—probably leaning against the wall, arms crossed, insisting he’d been misunderstood. Best remembered for slaying Alexander Hamilton in a duel, Burr later became entangled in an even stranger scheme: a shadowy plan to foment rebellion and carve a brand-new nation out of the American frontier. Remarkably, key elements of this plot were conceived in what was then Sharon—now Bridgewater, Pennsylvania. This talk explores Burr’s ambitions, the local roots of his conspiracy, and the treason trial that shocked a still-wobbly young republic.

Join us on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at Beaver Station, for the first Speaker Series presentation of 2026 by Rodger Morrow, a native Beaver Countian, writer, and editor whose career has wandered comfortably through politics, business, and history. A former presidential speechwriter, Mr. Morrow has written on historical subjects for much of his professional life, including a bicentennial history of the New York Stock Exchange for LIFE magazine. He currently serves as editor and publisher of Beaver County Business, where he specializes in uncovering the overlooked and often improbable ways national history has a habit of passing through Beaver County.

PROGRAM RESOURCES

Thank you to all who joined us for this Speaker Series presentation. Selected images from the program are available below, along with a related article by Rodger Morrow expanding on the topic:  “Live on Stage: The Great Bridgewater Conspiracy” by Rodger Morrow

Presentation Imagery

Images provided by Rodger Morrow. Some visuals were created using AI as interpretive illustrations accompanying the presentation.