Does it get more American than talking to George Washington? No.
Credit: Computer Biology Labs Inc
As America gears up for its 250th birthday celebration, History Fort Lauderdale is hosting what may be the most patriotic experience of the summer: a chance to have a conversation with George Washington.
On Sunday, June 28, from 1 to 3 p.m., History Fort Lauderdale will debut The Washington Experience, a free interactive artificial intelligence program that allows guests to ask questions and receive answers based on the life, writings and historical records of the nation's first president.
Presented by Fort Lauderdale-based Computer Biology Labs Inc. as part of The America's Founders Project, the experience uses curated materials from sources including the Library of Congress to create historically grounded responses. Unlike a chatbot simply pretending to be Washington, the program is designed around documents, speeches, letters and events from his lifetime.
"This is our gift to America on its 250th birthday," said Scott Coloney, founder of Computer Biology Labs. "Every child should have the thrill of using artificial intelligence to explore this country's founding, engage with the nuanced and complicated parts of that story, and learn timeless and extraordinary leadership lessons from the man who helped win American independence."
Visitors can ask questions about the Revolutionary War, the Constitution, Washington's presidency and the complicated realities of early American history, including slavery and the limitations placed on liberty and citizenship during the era.
The launch event also includes another historical figure with deep local roots: Ivy Stranahan. Guests can visit the 1899 Schoolhouse Museum and interact with an AI recreation of Fort Lauderdale's first schoolteacher using her actual recorded voice and historical records. Stranahan helped establish the Fort Lauderdale Woman's Club, advocated for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, led suffrage efforts and played a role in founding both Broward's first Red Cross chapter and the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society.
Families attending the free event can also enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, popcorn, lemonade, a bounce house and other activities.
After June 28, "The Washington Experience" will remain available online free of charge through Constant Life AI, while "The Ivy Stranahan Experience" will continue as an on-site attraction at History Fort Lauderdale.
For more information and free event registration, visit eventbrite.com.
