The United States Capitol Historical Society will present a conference Friday that will examine the role of Congress in the critical issues that confronted the nation during the presidency of Andrew Jackson.

The conference marks the second symposium in the society’s new series, “The National Capital in a Nation Divided: Congress and the District of Columbia Confront Sectionalism and Slavery.”

Paul Finkleman from the University of Tulsa will be the symposium director.

Eight scholars from around the country will offer presentations on topics ranging from American Indian removal to states rights and nullification crisis.

At the conference, William Freehling from the University of Kentucky will focus on his 1965 “Prelude to Civil War: The Nullifaction Crisis in South Carolina.” Jenny Wahl from Carleton College in Minnesota will give a presentation titled “How Did His Face Get on the $20 Bill: Andrew Jackson’s Influence on American Banking and Finance.”

Other speakers include Daniel Feller of the University of Tennessee, Joanne Freeman of Yale University, Tim Garrison of Portland State University, Peter Onuf of the University of Virginia, Rennard Strickland of the University of Oregon, Michael Les Benedict of Ohio State University, and Robert Remini of the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Remini will also participate in a discussion session with conference participants. He is the recipient of the society’s 2004 Freedom Award and is the author of several books on the Jacksonian period, including a two-volume biography of Jackson. Currently, he is writing a book on the history of the House of Representatives.

The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Room 325 of the Russell Senate Office Building. It is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is recommended to be guaranteed a spot. Call (202) 543-8919 ext. 11 for more details or to register.

Arboretum Group Hosts Fair and Plant Sale

The Friends of the National Arboretum will host its 14th Annual Garden Fair and Plant Sale on Saturday.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NE.

Children will have the opportunity to learn about seed and plant growth in a classroom-like program led by Kim Rush and Jenny Guillaume of the Washington Youth Garden.

A featured lesson plan called “From Seed to Fruit: Plant Life Cycles” will give children the chance to adopt a bean seed and make a seed necklace.

There will also be performances by the Washington Revels, a song and dance group.

Garden tours will be given after the programs, and thousands of plants will be for sale for the adults in the crowd. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Friends of the National Arboretum, a nonprofit organization established to enhance support for the U.S. National Arboretum.

For more information, call (202) 544-8733 or visit www.fona.org.

— Amanda Arcuri