Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion

MANSION ACTIVITIES

75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Robert Jemison Van de Graaff was born and spent many of his formative years in the Jemison -Van de Graaff Mansion in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The fall of 2004 was the 75th anniversary of the invention of the Van de Graaff generator, which he invented at Princeton University in the fall of 1929. In celebration of this anniversary, an article was written about the early life of Robert Jemison Van de Graaff. It was the cover article of the November, 2004 issue of the international journal, The Physics Teacher and included never-before-published information and pictures. The article detailed for the first time in print how Robert Van de Graaff went from being a football player to an engineer and physicist. .The Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion Foundation commemorated the anniversary with a celebration dinner on December 4, 2004, followed by a Christmas open house at the mansion the following day

Featured speakers At the anniversary dinner included:

Dr. L. Worth Seagondollar, Professor Emeritus, North Carolina State .
University. "The First Man-made Nuclear Explosion"
Dr. Seagondollar discussed his research in critical mass experiments and the usefulness of the Van de Graaff Accelerator in nuclear physics experiments and his work with the Manhattan Project at the Los Alamos National Complex.

Picture here

Dr. Samuel L. Tabor, Professor, Department of Physics, Florida State
University and Director, "The Van de Graaff Accelerator Laboratory." Dr. Tabor discussed the use of the Van de Graaff Accelerator in industry, research and education.

Picture here

Dr. Mark A. Riley, Associate Chairman and Professor, Department of
Physics, Florida State University. "The Van de Graaff Generator." Dr. Riley discussed his work with the world's largest Van de Graaff accelerators at Daresbury, England, Niels Bohr Institute, Denmark, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He also discussed the influence the Van de Graaff generator has had on world culture even including an English musical group named the "Van de Graaff Generator. "

Picture here

Dr. Karl C. Mamola, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian
State University and Editor of The Physics Teacher. "The Van de Graaff Generator in Education." Dr. Mamola discussed the use and influence of the Van de Graaff generator in education.

Picture here

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

The first Sunday of every December from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M., the Jemison-Van de Graaff Foundation hosts a Christmas Open House at the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion. The public is invited to visit the Mansion for an old-fashioned Christmas celebration.

INFORMATION

For inquiries regarding Robert Jemison Van de Graaff, please send a letter to the
Jemison -Van de Graaff Mansion at the following address:

Dr. M. Talmage Graham
Science Advisor
Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion Foundation
1305 Greensboro Avenue
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401
or: call (205) 758-2906
or: e-mail Jemisonmansion@bellsouth.net

SPECIAL TEACHERS' PROGRAMS

What better place is there than Van de Graaff's house for high-school physics teachers to become trained in teaching Advanced Placement physics (a college level course that allows students to place out of college level physics)? An Advanced Placement Workshop consisting of teachers from all over the country is taught by an Advisor to the Advanced Placement College Board,

To register for the Advanced Placement Workshop, contact Rebbeca Pow @ rpow@ccs.ua.edu; University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies, P.O. Box 870388, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, Tel. 205-348-3021.

SCRAPBOOK PROJECT

The Van de Graaff Mansion's historians are putting together a scrapbook on the Van de Graaff family. Among other subjects it will focus on Robert Van de Graaff's early life including articles, letters, pictures and historical memorabilia, and testimonials by friends and family who knew him. If you have information to contribute to the scrapbook please contact the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can one visit Jemison - Van de Graaff's Mansion?

Individuals or small groups may visit and tour The Mansion from 10-5 weekdays at no cost. School and tour groups should make arrangements in advance for a guided tour. On weekends and holidays, the Mansion is closed except for scheduled special events such as weddings.

Can the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion be rented for a special event?

Yes. The Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion offers over 6,000 square feet to comfortably accommodate up to 72 people for a seated meal or up to 350 people for a standing reception. All types of social receptions, business meetings, educational seminars, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations and weddings are hosted at the Mansion. It may be rented for daytime seminars, luncheons or evening meetings. It is recommended that reservations be made in advance. Mansion personnel are available to assist in securing a caterer or to provide other meeting services.

Is someone available to present a talk about the Mansion's history and the families who lived there?

Yes. Visitors are provided with a free pamphlet chronicling the history of the Mansion and informed staff members are available to answer questions.

With advance notice it is possible to retain Dr. M. Talmage Graham to give a lecture/ demonstration on the history and science of the Van de Graaff generator. Lectures require a stipend, travel expenses and a month's advance notice.



Jemison House Robert Jemison Jr. Jemison Family Van de Graaff Family Weddings and Other Events Related Links Contact Us		MANSION ACTIVITIES 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Robert Jemison Van de Graaff was born and spent many of his formative years in the Jemison -Van de Graaff Mansion in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The fall of 2004 was the 75th anniversary of the invention of the Van de Graaff generator, which he invented at Princeton University in the fall of 1929. In celebration of this anniversary, an article was written about the early life of Robert Jemison Van de Graaff. It was the cover article of the November, 2004 issue of the international journal, The Physics Teacher and included never-before-published information and pictures. The article detailed for the first time in print how Robert Van de Graaff went from being a football player to an engineer and physicist. .The Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion Foundation commemorated the anniversary with a celebration dinner on December 4, 2004, followed by a Christmas open house at the mansion the following day Featured speakers At the anniversary dinner included: Dr. L. Worth Seagondollar, Professor Emeritus, North Carolina State . University. "The First Man-made Nuclear Explosion" Dr. Seagondollar discussed his research in critical mass experiments and the usefulness of the Van de Graaff Accelerator in nuclear physics experiments and his work with the Manhattan Project at the Los Alamos National Complex. Picture here Dr. Samuel L. Tabor, Professor, Department of Physics, Florida State University and Director, "The Van de Graaff Accelerator Laboratory." Dr. Tabor discussed the use of the Van de Graaff Accelerator in industry, research and education. Picture here Dr. Mark A. Riley, Associate Chairman and Professor, Department of Physics, Florida State University. "The Van de Graaff Generator." Dr. Riley discussed his work with the world's largest Van de Graaff accelerators at Daresbury, England, Niels Bohr Institute, Denmark, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He also discussed the influence the Van de Graaff generator has had on world culture even including an English musical group named the "Van de Graaff Generator. " Picture here Dr. Karl C. Mamola, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Appalachian State University and Editor of The Physics Teacher. "The Van de Graaff Generator in Education." Dr. Mamola discussed the use and influence of the Van de Graaff generator in education. Picture here CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE The first Sunday of every December from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M., the Jemison-Van de Graaff Foundation hosts a Christmas Open House at the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion. The public is invited to visit the Mansion for an old-fashioned Christmas celebration. INFORMATION For inquiries regarding Robert Jemison Van de Graaff, please send a letter to the Jemison -Van de Graaff Mansion at the following address: Dr. M. Talmage Graham Science Advisor Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion Foundation 1305 Greensboro Avenue Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401 or: call (205) 758-2906 or: e-mail Jemisonmansion@bellsouth.net SPECIAL TEACHERS' PROGRAMS What better place is there than Van de Graaff's house for high-school physics teachers to become trained in teaching Advanced Placement physics (a college level course that allows students to place out of college level physics)? An Advanced Placement Workshop consisting of teachers from all over the country is taught by an Advisor to the Advanced Placement College Board, To register for the Advanced Placement Workshop, contact Rebbeca Pow @ rpow@ccs.ua.edu; University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies, P.O. Box 870388, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, Tel. 205-348-3021. SCRAPBOOK PROJECT The Van de Graaff Mansion's historians are putting together a scrapbook on the Van de Graaff family. Among other subjects it will focus on Robert Van de Graaff's early life including articles, letters, pictures and historical memorabilia, and testimonials by friends and family who knew him. If you have information to contribute to the scrapbook please contact the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Can one visit Jemison - Van de Graaff's Mansion? Individuals or small groups may visit and tour The Mansion from 10-5 weekdays at no cost. School and tour groups should make arrangements in advance for a guided tour. On weekends and holidays, the Mansion is closed except for scheduled special events such as weddings. Can the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion be rented for a special event? Yes. The Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion offers over 6,000 square feet to comfortably accommodate up to 72 people for a seated meal or up to 350 people for a standing reception. All types of social receptions, business meetings, educational seminars, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations and weddings are hosted at the Mansion. It may be rented for daytime seminars, luncheons or evening meetings. It is recommended that reservations be made in advance. Mansion personnel are available to assist in securing a caterer or to provide other meeting services. Is someone available to present a talk about the Mansion's history and the families who lived there? Yes. Visitors are provided with a free pamphlet chronicling the history of the Mansion and informed staff members are available to answer questions. With advance notice it is possible to retain Dr. M. Talmage Graham to give a lecture/ demonstration on the history and science of the Van de Graaff generator. Lectures require a stipend, travel expenses and a month's advance notice.