Students from McLean High School in the Historical Reenactment Society, Project Enlightenment performed before audiences at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop in Alexandria last month.
Each of the students researched an 18th century person who worked in science. "The Magical Science of the Vacuum" by Dr. Mesmer was explained and demonstrated by senior Nadeem Bohsali; Margaret Morris, a midwife and owner of an apothecary shop was portrayed by Alexa Tabackman; Mel McCalley reenacted the study that the naturalist Lucy Say of Connecticut worked on. A doctor, a spy and naturalist and others appeared throughout the afternoon.
The students will return on Saturday, March 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. All 50 students in the program will be also performing at the Mount Vernon Estate over the Memorial Day weekend. A special event coinciding with the transit of Venus will take place at the Sully Plantation during the first week of June. The Project Enlightenment program was established in 1992, and is now a fully credited course within the Fairfax County Public Schools.