NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, WASHINGTON, DC HIGH SCHOOL EDITION VOLUME 2, NO. 3, SPRING 2003 the george washington PATRIOT n.PatriotPapers [Fr patriote < LL. patriota, fellow countryman < Gr patriotes < patris, fatherland <pater, FATHER] a national treasure George Celebrates Birthday in the Hollywood Hills Smithsonian Exhibition Opens in Seattle in March National Portrait Gallery Tours “George Washington: A National Treasure” Driving through the sunlit streets of Los Angeles, I saw him, suspended from a lamppost on Fairfax Avenue, just Coming Soon to a Museum Near You off Wilshire Boulevard. As I caught a glimpse of the The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston: Hollywood Hills, there he was again, shrouded by the February 15 - June 16, 2002 morning mist. George Washington had come to LA to Las Vegas Art Museum: celebrate his birthday, and hundreds were flocking to June 28 - October 27, 2002 see him. The event: “George Washington: A National Los Angeles County Museum of Art: November 7, 2002 - March 9, 2003 Treasure,” an exhibition from the Smithsonian’s National Seattle Art Museum: March 21 - July 20, 2003 Portrait Gallery. The place: LACMA—The Los Angeles The Minneapolis Institute of Arts: County Museum of Art. August 1 - November 30, 2003 On Presidents’ Day 2002, “George Washington: A Oklahoma City Museum of Art: National Treasure” began a nationwide tour at the December 12, 2003 - April 11, 2004 Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas. One year later, Arkansas Arts Center: April 23 - August 22, 2004 George Washington celebrated Presidents’ Day in Los The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Fall 2004 Angeles, reigniting the spirit of Washington for thousands of Americans. And on March 21, 2003, the exhibition will return to its permanent home in the Portrait Gallery. opened at the Seattle Art Museum. With this tour, made “I thought it was going to be small,” said Patricia possible through the generosity of the Donald W. Reynolds Vargas, visiting with her mom, Lupe. “But it was huge!” Foundation, the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, The 8-foot life-size painting does dwarf many of its Photograph by Tia Powell Harris Powell Photograph by Tia DC, is sharing the spirit of George Washington with stu- younger visitors. Museum docents lead daily school dents across America. tours as hundreds of children stare wide-eyed at all 6’3” sion. “And what do you think that scroll is, rolled up on Painted in 1796 by artist Gilbert Stuart, the portrait is of Stuart’s George Washington. “Do you think he was a the desk?” “I think it’s the Declaration of Independence,” considered one of the most important visual documents of good man?” “Of course,” answered ten-year-old Gabe volunteered Gabe. But his sister Linda had a more inventive the founding of our nation. Its historical and cultural signifi- Wingert. “He started a country.” idea. “Maybe those are George Washington’s bills.” Good cance has been compared to that of the Liberty Bell and the The iconography—the rainbow, the flag, the inkwell, the answer. You might be right, Linda. After all, it costs a lot to Declaration of Independence. At the tour’s end, the portrait blue sky, the sword—was another favorite topic of discus- start a country, right Gabe? Tennessee Catches the Get on the Bus, Gus … Spirit and Declares Make a New Plan, Stan GW Education Day LA Schools Support Local Tennessee caught the spirit and declared December 17, Communities. What’s Your Plan? 2002, George Washington Education Day throughout the state. West Elementary School in Mount Juliet The kids from Malibu jumped on board. Lorraine hosted the event where educators from the Smithsonian Staab and her kindergartners from Webster Elementary presented the state of Tennessee with a framed repro- School in Malibu led the way on a school initiative that duction of the original “Lansdowne” portrait of George supports the School on Wheels. The kids collect back- Washington. The day was celebrated with tricorn hats, packs, lunch pails, pencils, crayons, and other assorted knee-high stockings, and a red, white, and blue-flocked school supplies to equip this traveling school bus that Christmas tree. Costumed students presented a liv- tutors homeless kids in Santa Monica. Read on to see ing timeline that debunked common myths about the how kids around LA are studying history through ser- founding father, including the myth that Washington vice, benefiting both school and community. wore wooden teeth. (Actually his teeth were made from human teeth, cow’s teeth, and ivory.) Other students ★ Virginia Goodrich from Monterey Hills Elementary read their winning essays on Washington and even reen- School in South Pasadena and her 5th-grade class acted Washington’s famous crossing of the Delaware. chose to support the Rare Breeds program at Colonial Young GW reenactor Cody Hartley comes “face to face” with George. Nevada and South Carolina held similar celebrations. Williamsburg. Using the culinary arts to raise money, Although the 205-year-old portrait will visit only eight director Carol Wyrick. “The greatest legacy he left us they chose a recipe from the historic Raleigh Tavern, cities, the National Portrait Gallery hopes to affect all 50 was his selfless service to his fellow man. We’re asking all baked gingerbread cookies in the shape of rare breeds, states. “Our goal is to create excitement about George Americans to follow his example and give time to both and sold their wares at a mock market square. Watch for Washington as an American hero,” said NPG education country and community.” the recipe in the next issue. continued on page 8 “George Washington: A National Treasure” is organized by the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, and made possible through the generosity of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. page 2 a blast from the past the patriot papers Washington Wins Election Washington Unanimous Pick Whiskey Rebellion to House from Fort for President at Convention! Shakes Pennsylvania Cumberland! NEW YORK, 1789 (AP)—After many months of PHILADELPHIA, 1794—Western Pennsylvanians have debate to establish our new American government, the turned their resentment over recent taxes on whiskey into FREDERICKSBURG, 1758—George Washington, son first official election was held on February 4, 1789. a violent opposition. They are launching the first major of Augustine and Mary Ball Washington, has been elected George Washington has received all 69 electoral votes! civil disturbance of President Washington’s term in office. to the Virginia House of Burgesses while serving with the Washington, who will be inaugurated on April 30 of this Last week, U.S. Marshal David Lenox met with resistance British regulars at Fort Cumberland. Although urged by year, accepted his new office, despite his overwhelming in Westmoreland County while trying to collect taxes on friends to return to the colony of Virginia and “show his face,” desire to return to his estate at Mount Vernon: “I was locally distilled liquor. Military action will be taken, much Washington opted to remain with his men and was successful summoned by my country . from a retreat which I to the regret of the President: “I have accordingly deter- in winning a seat in the House from Frederick County. had chosen with the fondest predilection, and . with mined to do so, feeling the deepest regret for the occasion, an immutable decision, as the asylum of my declining but withal, the most solemn conviction, that the essential years.” Washington and his wife Martha will move to the interests of the Union demand it.” The army is being orga- country’s capital, New York City. nized from other northern states, and it will advance into General Washington Rallies Pennsylvania shortly. Troops at Valley Forge VALLEY FORGE, 1777–1778—General Washington struggles to keep his troops alive and well in Valley Forge, Washington Graciously Delays Wanted Immediately Pennsylvania, this winter. Inadequate shipments of food, A PERSON to attend in a Store who will clothing, and supplies have left the regiments in shambles; Retirement for a Second Term be constant and assiduous, understands poor hygiene and rampant disease threaten the lives of all PHILADELPHIA, 1793 (AP)—President George the soldiers camped there. General Washington has made Washington has won his second election to the presidency Accounts, and can write a good Hand. Also, repeated appeals for increased supplies, but the misman- of the United States! The inauguration will take place on a Youth about fourteen or fifteen Years of agement of the supply trade has yet to be resolved. In the March 4 in Philadelphia, the new capital of the United States. meantime, General Washington struggles alongside his men However, the prospect of returning to the stress of presiden- Age, who can read well, and write tolerably. while political rivals threaten to remove his power. Military tial life has left Washington doubtful. Washington wrote Inquire at the Post Office. and civilian critics, particularly Thomas Conway and Dr. to his friend Henry Lee “that it was after a long and painful Benjamin Rush, feel that there are several men who are bet- conflict in my own breast, that I was withheld from request- v ter suited to lead the Continental army. ing, in time, that no votes might be thrown away upon me; it being my fixed determination to return to the walks of pri- vate life.” The next four years do in fact promise to be diffi- On Tuesday next, cult; factionalism has already begun to sprout in government Was found over constitutional interpretation. Secretary of the Treasury being the 14th Instant, November 9, 1787, Alexander Hamilton, who was the driving force behind A new COMEDY, the creation of the National Bank and National Mint, will called on the Egypt Road remain in the service of the President.