President James K. Polk State Historic Site Hosts Lecture on U.S.-Mexican War Feb. 7

On Saturday, Feb. 7, the President James K. Polk State Historic Site will host a special presentation as part of the America 250 series. Dr. Jurgen Buchenau of UNC Charlotte will give a lecture that examines President Polk's impact within the larger context of U.S.-Mexican relations, and, more specifically, his role in the U.S.-Mexican War (1846-48). The President James K. Polk State Historic Site is administered by the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

With a focus on the Mexican perspective and Indigenous agency, Dr. Buchenau's lecture will highlight how Polk's War became far more than a simple bilateral conflict. The outcome led to the loss of half of Mexico's territory and, indirectly, to a heightening of the sectional conflict in the United States, which set the stage for the Civil War. The lecture begins at 1 p.m. and is free to attend, although the site suggests a $5 donation. Pre-registration is encouraged online at jameskpolk.net/events.

Jurgen Buchenau is the Dowd Term Chair of Capitalism Studies and Professor of History and Latin American Studies at UNC Charlotte, where he teaches classes on modern Latin America, U.S.-Latin American relations, and the history of capitalism. He earned his Ph.D. in history at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1993. His research interests include modern Mexico, political culture, immigration, international history, foreign travel writing, and the Mexican Revolution. His teaching interests feature the history of capitalism, U.S. foreign relations, and Latin American history. An accomplished writer, Buchenau has authored multiple books including "The United States and Mexico: Unequal Neighbors." Buchenau has received grants and fellowships from the National Endowment of the Humanities, the American Philosophical Society, the U.S. Department of Education, and the German Academic Exchange Service, among many others.

About America 250 NC
America 250 NC is North Carolina's commemoration of the United States' 250th anniversary and is led by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. For more information about America 250 NC, visit america250.nc.gov.

About the President James K. Polk State Historic Site
The President James K. Polk State Historic Site is home to the birthplace of the 11th President and the only Chief-of-State born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Located just outside of Charlotte, the site sits on 21 of the original 150 acres owned by President Polk's father, Samuel. Located at 12031 Lancaster Highway in Pineville, N.C., the site is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.

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