(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 18, 2002 ) The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery launches its most important and ambitious touring exhibition to date: George Washington: A National Treasure. The multi-city tour celebrating our nation's first president -- the man, the icon, the hero -- will kick off on February 15, President's Day weekend, at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where it will be on view through June 16.

Portrait of Heroism

This iconic portrait of George Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1796, known as the Lansdowne portrait, will soon leave the nation's capital for its cross-country tour, arriving first in Houston. The portrait is a true national treasure, whose historical and cultural importance has been compared to that of the Liberty Bell and the Declaration of Independence. It was recently "saved" from auction by a generous gift from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation of Las Vegas. In addition to providing funds to keep this treasure at the National Portrait Gallery, the gift also included money for this first ever national tour of the portrait, educational materials, accompanying programs, and the creation of a special gallery at the National Portrait Gallery, where it will make its permanent home in Washington, D.C. following the tour.

"George Washington is one of America's most precious treasures, a man who not only helped define the national purpose, but whose spirit also embodies it to this day," said Marc Pachter, director of the National Portrait Gallery. "The heroism, patriotism and self-sacrifice demonstrated by Washington have inspired many. And while we have been planning this tour for months, Washington's example may never be as relevant as it is today."

It is particularly poignant that the tour launches in Texas, where one of the most heartfelt campaigns to save the portrait was undertaken. The students of the Pasadena Independent School District (Texas) responded to the news reports of the potential auction of the portrait and initiated an aggressive fund-raising campaign. Prior to hearing that the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation had rescued the work, the children succeeded in raising thousands of dollars toward the purchase of the portrait with their "By George, We've Got It...Help Us Keep It!" campaign. And as a "thank you" for their act of patriotism, those students have been invited to be special guests of the Smithsonian at the opening of the exhibition in Houston. Their act of self-sacrifice embodies the spirit of the tour, a tour that is designed to celebrate heroism, self-sacrifice, and the man who had the strength to form a nation.

Map of Our Nation

George Washington: A National Treasure represents a once-in-a-lifetime chance for millions of Americans to see this famous icon -- one of the most significant visual documents of the founding of our nation -- first-hand. The tour will stop at eight cities, and will travel across the nation through 2004. In addition to Houston, other cities that have been selected to host the exhibit are: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Ark. and New York City.

Education will be a key component of this inspiring exhibition. The National Portrait Gallery has developed an expansive educational initiative that will bring both the portrait and the man behind the image to life. The educational element of the tour will reach people of all ages in the venue cities and nationally. Each venue has been provided funds for free educational programming such as teacher workshops, brochures, family days, public lectures and bussing for schoolchildren.

The National Portrait Gallery is bringing the painting -- commonly referred to as the Lansdowne portrait -- to every state with its 50-state initiative chaired by Secretary of Education Rod Paige. The goal of this program is to distribute free educational materials to teachers and students in each state so that a new generation may learn about George Washington. Additionally, visitors may experience the Lansdowne online at www.georgewashington.si.edu. The web site will serve as a resource for teachers, offering an array of free teaching materials at all grade levels. It will also serve history buffs, parents and children who would like to learn more about the man, the portrait and the country. The web site will perform as an interactive teacher, allowing guests to download information, participate in online programs and order educational materials for the classroom.

About the Portrait

Painted by Gilbert Stuart, the most prestigious portraitist of his day, the 206-year-old painting has a storied past. A fixture in Washington since 1968, the painting actually belonged to a prominent British family until very recently. In spring 2001, the National Portrait Gallery rescued the portrait from potential auction thanks to a generous $30 million gift from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. This gift -- as much an act of patriotism as of philanthropy -- has allowed the National Portrait Gallery to preserve the iconic work for future generations.

Editor's Note: The complete tour schedule is available by downloading the full press release from the Assets column on the right. For more information about George Washington: A National Treasure and the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, please call Clifford Public Relations at (212) 358-0800 or Anne Christiansen, Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, at (202) 275-1764.

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Produced for Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

Contact:

Julia Gillespie
Clifford Public Relations
212-358-0800

Anne Christiansen
National Portrait Gallery
202-275-1764

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