The Man: Surprisingly , George Washington was uncomfortable with public life,
preferring instead the quiet life of a gentleman farmer. Among other letters on
display, those he wrote to Delawareans Gunning Bedford, Caesar Rodney, and George Read
during the Revolutionary War, help illustrate how Washington's character and leadership
destined him to become the nation's first president and national icon.
The Memory : When Washington died, the
entire nation went into mourning. Americans acquired pictures, plates, pitchers, ribbons
and other goods memorializing the "Father of Our Country." About fifty of
these late 18th Century commemorative items are included in the exhibit.
The Myth : Washington's public image continued to
grow after his death through glorification of him by others in print, the visual arts, and
pop culture. Authors wrote embellished biographies which were sometimes based
in fact, other times not (for example, Washington and the cherry tree). Several of these
biographies, dating back as many as 190 years, will be on display, including one
illustrated by Howard Pyle. The representation of Washington's physical image was
handled similarly, as evidenced in a display of paintings, etchings, and sketches by more
than 20 artists, including Delawarean F.O.C. Darley.
The exhibit also includes a display of ephemera that
illustrates how Washington's image and stature have been commercialized since his death in
invitations and advertisements.
Also on Exhibit
Special Events
Wednesday
October 13,1999
7:00 P.M. |
Music Enjoyed by George Washington Nationally-renowned
entertainers David and Ginger Hildebrand
perform a commemorative convert in period
clothing and with
period instruments.
|
Wednesday
October 20, 1999
7:00 P.M. |
George Washington: Father of His Country Essayist
and political writer Richard Brookhiser discusses
America's perception of George
Washington, and the personal
and political meaning of fatherhood in Washington's life and
career.
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