Bringing History to Life

In 2005 Lee Wright ’87 MBA bought a centuries-old house in Marlborough, Mass. “It dates to 1780, which is not unusual around here,” he says. “But I was curious about who had owned it.” So Wright visited his local historical society.

Learning about his own house and visiting historic sites in New England sparked a broader interest in history. Today, as founder and president of the national nonprofit The Pursuit of History, he’s creating new ways for others to learn alongside him.

Lee Wright, founder and president of the Pursuit of History, speaks as part of the “Forging the Continental Army” session at Valley Forge National Historical Park in May 2023. Credit: Joe Tacynec

The Pursuit of History for America’s 250th is a 10-year project that will travel to two historic sites every year through 2033, focusing on what happened at each site 250 years ago. The three-day programs combine presentations with visits to historic landmarks as well as archives and museums, sometimes with behind-the-scenes access.  

The series covers not only prominent historical figures but also little-known individuals. “It’s impossible for most of us to put ourselves in the shoes of someone like George Washington,” Wright says. “It is much easier to imagine being a farmer with a family or a merchant who depends on imports from England. Think about the difficult decisions they had to make, especially when they had no idea what the future held.” 

 Wright, who has a business background and startup experience, says his status as a newcomer to historical study helped inspire the Pursuit of History format. “People travel from across the country to attend these events, and the 40 spots fill up fast,” Wright says. “This small-group, deep-dive approach — examining where history happened and why it happened — has appeal.  

“Everyone will be celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4,” he adds, “but it was a long slog after 1776 before independence was finally achieved, and that’s why we created this series.”