THE LAYOUT Vision of the Fred W. Smith National Library slated to be completed this year.
BY THE NUMBERS
Opening: More than 200 years after Washington’s death
“I have not houses to build, except one, which I must erect for the accommodation and security of my military, civil, and private papers, which are voluminous and may be interesting.”
to wife Martha written just before his departure to lead the American troops at Cambridge; and the fi rst Acts of Congress, including the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The latter volume, recently acquired from Christie’s
for almost $10 million, will be prominently displayed in the library’s oval inner sanctum, along with 45 other 18th century books that were in the mansion when Washington lived. Presidential scholars and historians are ecstatic
over the prospect of poring over Washington’s writ- ings. Author and historian David McCullough, who will deliver the keynote address at the national library’s grand opening, has predicted the library will be “as im- portant to future generations as the Statue of Liberty.”
— President George Washington Gay Hart Gaines,
the philanthropist and former vice chairman of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, served as the chairman of the capital campaign that raised over $103 million to build the cen- ter and its ancillary facilities and programs. In an age when many Americans seem oblivious
Location: Mount Vernon, Virginia Cost: $47 Million Site: 15 acres Size: 45,000 square feet including 6,000 square foot Scholar’s Residence Archive: Approximately 450 letters and manuscripts written in hand including George Washington’s personal diary, and 46 books that belonged to George and Martha. Thousands of important historical documents from the 18th and 19th centuries. Themes: Education, leadership Rooms: Conference and training center for groups up to 50
to their national origins, Gaines says the library will focus on spreading a better understanding of George Washington across the nation. “We want to reconnect people with our founding, especially students and
MAY 2013 | NEWSMAX 61
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92