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This file contains material about Mrs. Betty Ford unveiling the new Alexander Calder sculpture at the Hirshorn.
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1489462
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10/14/75 - Hirshorn Museum and Gadsby's Tavern
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1489462
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10/14/75 - Hirshorn Museum and Gadsby's Tavern
description
This file contains material about Mrs. Betty Ford unveiling the new Alexander Calder sculpture at the Hirshorn.
citationUrl
collections
Sheila R. Weidenfeld Files (Ford Administration)
Sheila Weidenfeld's Daily Events Files
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President (1974-1977 : Ford). Office of the First Lady. 1974-1977
Arts
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1489462
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1975-10-31
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10
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1975
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1975-10-01
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10
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1975
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The original documents are located in Box 7, folder "10/14/75 - Hirshorn Museum and
Gadsby's Tavern" of the Sheila Weidenfeld Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential
Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Some items in this folder were not digitized because it contains copyrighted
materials. Please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library for access to
these materials.
Digitized from Box 7 of the Sheila Weidenfeld Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
DRAFT
Proposed Schedule
Mrs. Ford's Visit to Hirshhorn Museum to Unveil Calder Sculpture
Tuesday, October 14, 1975
2:00 PM
1:30 PM
Platform guests assembled in Board of Directors Room
of the Hirshhorn Museum located on the fourth floor.
Refreshments will be served.
1:55 PM
Platform guests escorted from holding room to platform.
2:00 PM
Mrs. Ford arrives -- met at the curb by Arthur F.
Sampson, Administrator of General Services Administration
and Mr. Abram Lerner, Director, Hirshhorn Museum.
2:03 PM
Mr. Sampson opens program and introduces Mr. Lerner
for brief remarks.
2:06 PM
Mr. Sampson introduces Mr. Leonard A. Robinson, Author
of Light at the Tunnel End, for brief remarks. (He is
speaking on behalf of blind community & blind organizations.)
2:08 PM
Mr. Sampson introduces Senator Jennings Randolph for
brief remarks.
2:11 PM
Mr. Sampson introduces Mrs. Ford for brief remarks
2:14 PM
Mr. Sampson asks Mrs. Ford and Senator Randolph to join
him in the unveiling of the sculpture. They walk off
the platform to the right where the veiled sculpture
is located.
2:15 PM
UNVEILING (Photo Opportunity)
2:18 PM
DEPARTURE
is
FORD
GENATO
SPECIAL INVITEES TO BE SEATED IN THE AUDIENCE
Participants
Mrs. Betty Ford
U. S. Senator Jennings Randolph of West Virginia
Arthur F. Sampson, Administrator, General Services Administration
Abram Lerner, Director of the Hirshhorn Museum
Leonard A. Robinson, Author of Light at the Tunnel End (and repre-
senting the blind community and blind organizations)
Invited Guests
Nancy Hanks
National Endowment for the Arts
Michael Straight
National Endowment for the Arts
Bryan Doherty
National Endowment for the Arts
Durwood McDaniel
American Council of the Blind
Irvin P. Schloss
American Foundation for the Blind
Jim Gashel
National Federation of the Blind
Hodges Parker
Blinded Veterans Association
Bruce Blasch
American Association of Workers for the Blind
7
S. Dillon Ripley, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution
Joshua Taylor, Director, National Collection of Fine Arts
LIBRARY
Carter Brown, Director, National Gallery of Art
Foy Slade, Director, Corcoran Gallery of Art
Janet green
(american antigus
I can
Helen
nick Pergola (UPI)
naomi noun
Dorothy me Cardle
Karl Schumache
Shile
Bill mathing ABC
will for Hischon at
GSA #
October , 1975
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DRAFT
Braille Art Allows Blind
To Enjoy Genius of Calder
The artistic genius of Alexander Calder comes alive under the sen-
sitive hands of the blind at the Hirshhorn Museum.
Today First Lady Betty Ford unveiled a miniature of Calder's spec-
tacular 53-foot "Flamingo, a flaming red outdoor art work that thrilled
Chicagoans when it was erected on Dearborn Street last October.
"The specially designed miniature is the first known effort in the
United States to provide the visually handicapped with sculpture they
can see through touch, " said Administrator Arthur F. Sampson
of the U.S. General Services Administration which had the replica con-
structed. "We feel sure it will bring much pleasure to the blind and
hope others soon will begin providing similar scale replicas of impor-
tant sculptures.'
Mrs. Ford was joined by U.S. Sen. Jennings Randolph (W. Va.),
Abram Lerner, director of the Hirshhorn, and Leonard A. Robinson,
author of "Light at the Tunnel End, in a ceremony in the sculpture gar-
den. The stabile eventually will go to the Chicago Federal Center where
it will be placed near the original art work for the enjoyment of the
blind.
Reduced to approximately one-tenth the size of Calder's original,
the miniature has two sweeping arches which span eight feet and ter-
minate in three diamond-shaped fins balanced on their points. It was
fabricated by Segre Iron Works of Waterbury, Conn. A braille plaque
made by the Howe Press at the Perkins School for the Blind in Water-
town, Mass. is provided on a pedestal to give pertinent information
on the art work and Calder.
Both of Calder's "Flamingos" were commissioned under GSA's fine
arts program to provide newly constructed federal buildings with the
finest examples of contemporary Américan art. Early in his admin-
istration, President Ford declared, "The arts are an integral part of
our better society. In dedicating the original Calder, Sampson added,
"Only if the arts are alive and flourishing can we experience the true
meaning of freedom and know the glory of the human spirit. No artist
in America better reflects this freedom and human spirit than Alexan-
der Calder.
"In our fine arts program we work closely with the National En-
dowment for the Arts, which has provided leadership for the nation's
cultural endeavors in recent years, which has proved that federal art
patronage can be progressive and exciting and which has, through its
(MORE)
LIBRATA
Page 2
programs, touched the lives of millions around the country. We are
especially proud to now reach the blind, 11 said Sampson. GSA's fine
arts director, Karel Yasko said, "Calder himself is pleased with the
miniature abstract and hopes it will permit the blind to participate
more directly in a visual world. " Yasko said the sculpture "will pro-
vide a new set of experiences for the visually handicapped. For cre-
ators of form sculpture, the ultimate success is the viewers' tactile
response rather than the visual reaction. One prominent American
sculptor, measured this success by the number of finger marks on
his stone sculptures.
Alexander Calder is recognized as one of the giants of 20th century
American art. Merging his knowledge of science and mechanics with
his artistic abilities to create animate, organic sculptural forms has
been his most notable contribution. Born in Philadelphia in 1898,
Calder once worked for the "Police Gazette" covering the circus. From
those experiences he has created an art noted for its ebullience, wit
and tightrope balance. His graceful "Flamingo" enlivens the plaza of
Chicago's Federal Center, a people-oriented area and the precinct of
commerce, government and corporations where brown-bagging a lunch
can be a course in modern art.
#
#
#
A copy of the Braille text describing the miniature "Flamingo" is
attached.
Contact: Pat Thomasson
GSA Information
(202) 343-4511
SERALD
BRAILLE TEXT
FLAMINGO
by
Alexander Calder (1898-
)
On your left stands a small replica of the original FLAMINGO, a sta-
bile or static work of sculpture created for the Chicago Federal Center
by the American sculptor Alexander Calder. It has been reduced from
the original height of 53 feet to five feet three inches for the tactile
convenience of the visually handicapped who may now discover the
full impact of the original stabile which stands in the open plaza of
the Center surrounded by three Federal buildings designed by Mies
Van der Rohe; a one story post office, a 30-story courthouse and a
42-story Federal building.
The original stabile has an overall ground width of 29 by 60 feet in
length built of steel plates three quarters and one-half inches thick
with a total weight of fifty tons. Both the original and replica are
painted a bright Calder red.
Calder, born in Philadelphia in 1898, is recognized as one of the giants
of 20th century American art. The son and grandson of noted sculp-
tors, he graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology as a mechan-
ical engineer but turned to art as a career working in New York and
Paris where in 1932 he invented the mobile and soon after the stabile,
both the first use of such forms of artistic expression.
Calder has createdmajor stabiles for Los Angeles, Fort Worth, Grand
Rapids, New York, Hartford, Cambridge, and numerous other locations
FORD
throughout the world.
2
The original FLAMINGO was commissioned under the Fine Arts pro-
gram of the General Services Administration, to provide newly con-
structed Federal buildings with the finest examples of Contemporary
American art.
Arthur F. Sampson
Administrator of General Services
October 1975
R. FORD LIBRAN
GUEST LIST FOR MRS. FORD'S VISIT TO GADSBY'S TAVERN-OCTOBER 14
Mr. Charles E. Beatley, Jr.-Mayor of Alexandria
Mr. Clement E. Conger, Curator, The White House
Mr. Howard W. Smith, Jr., General Chairman, The Friends of
Gadsy's Tavern and Mrs. Smith
Mr. Richard Bales, Advisory Board, and Mrs. Bales
Mr. Joseph H. Hennage, Advisory Board, and Mrs. Hennage
Mrs. Anne C. Golovin, Advisory Board
Colonel Wilfred J. Smith, President, Alexandria Historical Society
Mrs. Wilfred J. Smith, Chairman, Acquisitions Committee
Mrs. Frankie Welch, Chairman, Donors Committee
Mrs. Arthur M. Dunstan, Chairman, Educational amd Interpretive
Programs Committee
Mr. William G. McNamara, Chairman, Soecial Events Committee
Mrs. Harry Councilor, House and Garden Committee
Mrs. James Flint, mairman, Docents Committee
Mrs. Nicholas Paul, Chairman, Historic Alexandria Docents
Mr. Paul D. Scott, Director, General Services, City of Alexandria
Mr. O. Lloyd Onion-Guest
Mr. Richard C. Bierce, Resident Architect
Mr. John Armentrout, General Contractor
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Flather III
Mrs. Marguerite Browning, / The Curator's Office
Mr. Mr. and Edward Mrs. Plyler, Robert Decorative L. Montague Arts III, Advisor repreaty mr Chsv.
Official Photographers
Paty mow
Ms. Carol Lottman
Mr. Frank E. Hall
De Local Media Photographers
Alexandria Gazette
will
The Pack Journal
GERALD R. FORD TIMES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alexandria, Virginia-October 14, 1975
Mrs. Gerald R. Ford, as Honorary Chairman, The Friends of
Gadsby's Tavern, today accepted an important Eighteenth Century
mantel which was recently returned to the famous Alexandria
hostelry after fifty eight years, from the American Wing of the
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. It was acquired by
that institution in 1917 along with the woodwork from the ball-
room where George Washington celebrated his birthday in 1798
and 1799, two mantels and the doorway from which he gave one of
his last military commands in November 1798.
The doorway was brought back to the Tavern in 1949 through
the generosity of Colonel and Mrs. Charles Beatty Moore and the
Alexandria Association to mark the two hundredth anniversary of
the establishment of the City of Alexandria. On that occasion Mrs.
Woodrow Wilson, widow of the World War I president was the honored
guest.
It is most fitting that our present First Lady accepted the long
term loan of one of the finest remaining examples of American crafts-
manship of the Georgian period as a part of this community's ob-
servance of the Bicentennial celebration.
The Board of Trustees of the Metropolitan Museum made the generous
decision last August to return the mantel and its accompanying cornice
to this city.
1972
Alexandria acquired the two historic Gadsby's Tavern buildings as
FROM
gift
local American Legion Post No. 24 and is proceeding with their
THE
restoration scheduled for completion next year.
The Friends of Gadsby's Tavern is a volunteer group composed of
LIBRARY
distinguished preservationists, antiquarians, historians, and in-
terested citizens at the local and national levels. They will take an
active part in the restoration and perpetuation of this nationally
registered landmark.
Gadsby's Tavern was the scene of many dramatic events which paved
the way toward our National Independence and the drafting of the United
States Constitution. At least six Presidents of the United States
have been entertained in the tavern. Others have included the Marquis
de Lafayette, John Paul Jones, Baron de Kalb, Alexander Hamilton,
(more)
Aaron Burr, Francis Scott Key, Henry Clay, and many more.
After the buildings have been renovated, they will include an
authentic house museum and a working tavern reminiscent of those in
colonial Williamsburg.
A drive is currently underway to acquire additional furnishings
for the periods of 1774 and 1790-1810.
Mr. William Robert Adam, curator of Gadsby's Tavern, was Mrs. Ford's
host during her visit.
For additional information call:
(703) 750-6565)
GEEATH R FORD LIBRARY
Sheila
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 8, 1975
MEMORANDUM TO:
PETER SORUM
FROM:
SUSAN PORTER
SUBJECT:
Action Memo
Mrs. Ford will participate in two photo opportunities on Tuesday,
October 14th. The information for each occasion is listed below:
Hirshorn Museum
EVENT: Unveiling of reduced duplicate of Alexander Calder
sculpture (called "Flamingo") for the blind
GROUP: General Services Administration
DATE: Tuesday, October 14, 1975
TIME: 2:00 p.m.
PLACE: Hirshorn Museum
Washington, D. C.
CONTACT: Jack Williams of G.S.A.
343-7221
COMMENTS: At this brief ceremony, a 5-foot high duplicate of the
huge Calder sculpture outside the G.S.A. Building in
Chicago will be unveiled. This 5-foot model has been
made small in order that the blind may touch it and
experience a sense of the large piece of sculpture.
On it will be a plaque in Braille telling about the
sculpture. The unveiling, though mainly a photo session,
will include opening remarks by out-going G.S.A. Director
Arthur Sampson, comments by Director Lerner of the
Hirshorn Museum, a representative of the federation of
organizations for the blind, and, if his schedule permits,
Senator Jennings Randolph, and Mrs. Ford. Following each
person's brief remarks, they will all participate in the
actual unveiling. Senator Jennings Randolph, author of
the Randolph-Sheppard Act which includes provisions for
the handicapped in all government facilities, has
R. FORD LIB:
-2-
long been interested in the blind and the handicapped.
The idea for a reduced model of the Calder sculpture
was originally Mr. Sampson's.
Mrs. Ford's participation reflects her interest in making
the arts an important part of the lives of all our citizens.
Gadsby's Tavern
EVENT: Photo session for newly-acquired mantel at Gadsby's Tavern
GROUP: Friends of Gadsby's Tavern
DATE: Tuesday, October 14, 1975
TIME: 3:00 p.m.
PLACE: Gadsby's Tavern
138 North Royal Street
Alexandria, Virginia
CONTACT: William Adam, Curator
750-6565
COMMENTS: In her capacity as Honorary Chairman of the Friends of
Gadsby's Tavern, Mrs. Ford has been invited to come out
to Gadsby's Tavern and see the newly-acquired historic
mantel (from the Metropolitan Museum in New York)
which will be placed in the large reception room at
the Tavern.
Clem Conger considers Gadsby's Tavern to be probably the
second most historic building in our country. The first
in his view is Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the
second is Gadsby's Tavern because of the prominent men
in the early days of our history who frequented it and
the importance of the decisions which were made there.
Gadsby's Tavern was a vital center of life and communica-
tion during that time.
Gadsby's Tavern has been undergoing an extensive renovation
partially financed by the City of Alexandria (Bicentennial
funds?) and private money. Mrs. Ford's visit will convey
of
FORD
19817
-3-
her appreciation for the restoration efforts and her
encouragement of this project to preserve for generations
to come an authentic setting of life in the 18th century.
The file is attached. Thank you.
C: BF Staff
Red Cavaney
Warren Rustand
Clem Conger
Bill Nicholson
Rex Scouten
Staircase
DIV
R. FORD LIBRART
BF PENDING TO CONSIDER (SOON)
Gadsby's Tavern, Alexandria
September 15, 1975
Dear Mr. Adam,
Your gracious letter to Mrs. Ford telling
of the acquisition of the mantel to Gadsby's
Tavern and inviting Mrs. Ford to participate
in the acceptance is greatly appreciated.
when the official schedule for the upcoming
future is more firmly determined, we will be
in communication with you.
with gratitude for sharing this good news
with Mrs. Ford and all best wishes,
Sincerely,
Susan Porter
Appointments Secretary
for Mrs. Ford
Mr. William Robert Adam
Curator
Gadsby's Tavern
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
SP/sr
C: BF Pending To Consider (Gadsby's Tavern, Alexandria)
SENALD R. FORD
LIBRARY
XANORI
TELE
bity of. Alexandria, Virginia
CITY
VIRGINI
September 9, 1975
All-America City
Mrs. Gerald R. Ford
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mrs. Ford:
In your capacity as Honorary Chairman of the "Friends of
Gadsby's Tavern", it is a great pleasure to inform you that the
restoration of the two historic buildings is progressing well
and a gala opening is scheduled for early next year.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has just returned an important
mantel to the Tavern which has been in the American Wing of that
institution for over fifty years. Architectural historians consider
it to be some of the most important 18th Century woodwork in America.
It would be most appropriate if you could come to Alexandria
to accept this important acquisition for the "Friends". Your
presence and the subsequent publicity would help us tremendously
in an upcoming national drive for additional furnishings to complete
the 1774 and 1802 inventories for the two buildings.
We are well aware of your busy schedule, but if you could
come for a brief visit you would be contributing immeasurably to
one of the country's most important Bicentennial projects.
Hoping to hear from you at an early date.
With best wishes to you, the President, and your family.
Sincerely,
hiLRAY Ad
William Robert Adam
Curator
cce
2.
LIBRAT FORDS
For immediate release
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 1975
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary to Mrs. Ford
Mrs. Ford will unveil a reduced duplicate of the Alexander Calder
sculpture "Flamingo" today at 2 p.m. at the Hirshorn Museum.
The five-foot-high replica was made for the blind, to enable them
to experience a sense of the original 53-foot sculpture located
outside the Chicago Federal Center.
Mrs. Ford will be assisted in the unveiling by Arthur F. Sampson,
GSA Administrator. Other participants in the program are Abram
Lerner, Director of the Hirshorn Museum; Leonard A. Robinson,
author of Light at the Tunnel End, who will make remarks on
behalf of blind organizations and the blind community; and Senator
Jennings Randolph of West Virginia.
The flaming-red outdoor art work will eventually go to the same
plaza outside the Chicago Federal Center which holds the original.
A plaque in Braille will be affixed to the miniature, giving
information on the sculpture and the artist.
Both of Calder's "Flamingos" were commissioned under the
General Services Administration's Fine Arts Program to provide
newly constructed federal buildings with examples of good
contemporary American art.
# # # #
GERALD R. FORD LIBRARY
note for crews and photographers:
the ceremony is outside, near the main
entrance to the Hirshorn. You'll be shooting
from a distance between 15-25 feet.
Press pickup in press lobby at 1:35p. m. Press
needing transportation should call x2164.
For immediate release
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 1975
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary to Mrs. Ford
Mrs. Ford will unveil a reduced duplicate of the Alexander Calder
sculpture "Flamingo" today at 2 p.m. at the Hirshorn Museum.
The five-foot-high replica was made for the blind, to enable them
to experience a sense of the original 53-foot sculpture located
outside the Chicago Federal Center.
Mrs. Ford will be assisted in the unveiling by Arthur F. Sampson,
GSA Administrator. Other participants in the program are Abram
Lerner, Director of the Hirshorn Museum; Leonard A. Robinson,
author of Light at the Tunnel End, who will make remarks on
behalf of blind organizations and the blind community; and Senator
Jennings Randolph of West Virginia.
The flaming-red outdoor art work will eventually go to the same
plaza outside the Chicago Federal Center which holds the original.
A plaque in Braille will be affixed to the miniature, giving
information on the sculpture and the artist.
Both of Calder's "Flamingos" were commissioned under the
General Services Administration's Fine Arts Program to provide
newly constructed federal buildings with examples of good
contemporary American art.
####
FIO R. FORD LIBRARY
note for crews and photographers:
the ceremony is outside, near the main
entrance to the Hirshorn. You'll be shooting
from a distance between 15-25 feet.
Press pickup in press lobby at 35p. m. Press
needing transportation should call x2164.
UNVEILING OF. "FLAMINGO"
HIRSCHORN MUSEUM
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1975
- 1 -
ONE OF MY VERY GREAT INTERESTS
HAS BEEN IN HAVING
THE ARTS IN AMERICA LIVE
FORD - GENETO LIBRARY
TO BE A PART OF PEOPLES' EVERYDAY LIVES
- 2 -
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT ART BE UNIVERSAL,
THAT IT REACH OUT
THROUGH ALL KINDS OF BARRIERS---
WHETHER THEY BE ECONOMIC
OR CULTURAL OR PHYSICAL.
- 3 -
THE SCULPTURE WE WILL UNVEIL IN A FEW MINUTES
GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY
TO OVERCOME THE PHYSICAL BARRIERS
CAUSED BY BLINDNESS.
GERMAL R. FORD LIBRARY
- 4 -
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE BLIND
BE ABLE TO SHARE IN THE GREAT SATISFACTION
THAT IS UNIQUE TO ENJOYING A PIECE OF ART
# # #
R FORD LIBRARY
UNVEILING OF. "FLAMINGO"
HIRSCHORN MUSEUM
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1975
-
- 1 -
ONE OF MY VERY GREAT INTERESTS
HAS BEEN IN HAVING
THE ARTS IN AMERICA LIVE
DATE R. FORD LIBRAS
TO BE A PART OF PEOPLES' EVERYDAY LIVES
.
- 2 -
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT ART BE UNIVERSAL,
THAT IT REACH OUT
THROUGH ALL KINDS OF BARRIERS---
WHETHER THEY BE ECONOMIC
OR CULTURAL OR PHYSICAL.
- 3 -
THE SCULPTURE WE WILL UNVEIL IN A FEW MINUTES
GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY
TO OVERCOME THE PHYSICAL BARRIERS
CAUSED BY BLINDNESS.
- 4 -
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE BLIND
BE ABLE TO SHARE IN THE GREAT SATISFACTION
THAT IS UNIQUE TO ENJOYING A PIECE OF ART
# # #
For immediate release
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 1975
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary to Mrs. Ford
Mrs. Ford will participate in a photo session unveiling a newly
acquired mantelpiece at Gadsby's Tavern in Olde Towne, Alex.,
today at 2:45 p.m. (The Tavern is located at 138 N. Royal St.).
Mrs. Ford is accepting the mantel as Honorary Chairman of
The Friends of Gadsby's Tavern. The mantel, which was a part
of the original Tavern, has been in the American Wing of the
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Museum recently
returned the mantel after 58 years for the Tavern's restoration
project, which it hopes to have completed by February, 1976.
The mantel is of the Eighteenth Century, and along with its
accompanying cornice is considered a good example of American
craftsmanship of the Georgian period.
Participating in the unveiling with Mrs. Ford will be William
Robert Adam, curator of Gadsby's Tavern; and Alexandria Mayor
Charles Beatley.
When the Tavern buildings have been restored, they will include an
authentic house museum and working tavern reminiscent of those
in Colonial Williamsburg. The City of Alexandria owns the buildings
and is restoring them, with the support of American Legion Post
No. 24 (which presented the buildings to the city in 1972) and the
Friends of Gadsby's Tavern, a volunteer group of historians and
other interested citizens.
Gadsby's Tavern is generally considered to be one of the important
historic sites in the area because of the prominent men who
frequented it and the importance of decisions discussed there. It was
the scene of many dramatic events which paved the way toward
Independence and the drafting of the US Constitution. At least six
Presidents were entertained there, and such figures as Lafayette,
John Paul Jones, Alexander Hamilton, Henry Clay, Francis Scott and
Key.
Another important acquisition came in 1949 when the doorway from which
George Washington gave one of his last military commands in
November 1798 was returned. Also a part of the Metropolitan Museum
since 1917, it was donated to Gadsby's by Col. and Mrs. Charles
Beatty Moore and the Alexandria Association to mark the 200th
anniversary of the establishment of the City of Alexandria. Mrs.
Woodrow Wilson was the honored guest at that ceremony.
####
GERMILO R. FORDY LIBRARY
note; the ceremony is inside. No power
is available. Photographers and crews
will be at a distance of about 10-20 feet.
The STORY of
GADSBY'S TAVERN
By DOROTHY H. KABLER
The Story of
Gadsby's Tavern
By Dorothy H. Kabler
WITH DRAWINGS BY BERTHA H. DOUGHERTY
GERALD R. FORD LIBRARY
NEWELL-COLE COMPANY :: PRINTERS :: ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
COPYRIGHT, 1952, BY
DOROTHY HOLCOMBE KABLER
110
90
Type composition courtesy of
THE ALEXANDRIA (Va.) GAZETTE
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Printed in the United States of America
Material for this history of one of the most famous
landmarks in Virginia comes almost entirely from original
sources. Early copies of The Alexandria Gazette have
yielded a wealth of information. This has been supple-
mented by a study of state and court records in Virginia,
Maryland and the District of Columbia. Documents at the
Alexandria Library and the Library of Congress have
helped to round out the story.
The author is particularly grateful to Mr. Oliver
Wendelt Holmes for making available the data he has
compiled in years of research on stage lines and taverns,
and to Mr. Worth Bailey for directig attention to manu-
scripts in the library of Mount Vernon. The interest
shown by Dr. Douglas Southall Freeman in this history
is very much appreciated.
To Joseph William Bartlett for his care in setting the
type, to Bertha H. Dougherty for her illustrations, to
Joseph Huxley Bell, Jr., for the engravings and to Joseph
H. Newell for the great interest he has taken in the
publication of this booklet the author expresses her thanks.
This history was requested by the owners of Gadsby's
Tavern represented by F. Clinton Knight and George M.
Giammittorio in 1949 and completed in 1952.
IC CTO 91:
GERALD R. FORD LIBRARY
The item described below has been transferred from this file to:
Audiovisual Unit
Book Collection
Ford Museum in Grand Rapids
Item: 15"x7" color of Alexander Calder sculpture called Flamingo outsider
The GSA Building in Chicago.
/ 8"x10" bw photo of minature of above in the Hirshern Musum
dedicated by BF m 10/14/75 (Man notidentified)
The item was transferred from: weidenteld Box 6
10/14/75 Hirshorn Musum and
Gadsby's Taven
Initials/Date let 2/84
J. EVERETTE FAUBER, JR., F.A.I.A. ARCHITECT
2309 ATHERHOLT ROAD
.
(804) 847 7754
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24501
J. EVERETTE FAUBER, JR., F.A.I.A.
ROBERT H. CARBEE, A.I.A.- ASSOCIATE
NATHANIEL P. NEBLETT, ARCH. HISTORIAN
1. EVERETTE FAUBER, III, A.I.A.-ASSOCIATE
GADSBY'S TAVERN
Royal and Cameron Streets
Alexandria, Virginia
City of Alexandria--Owner
DESCRIPTION: The Gadsby's Tavern complex presently consists of
three separate buildings: City Tavern, 2½ stories, built circa
1770; City Hotel, 3½ stories, built 1792; the Hotel addition built
1878. The area of the courtyard was formerly occupied by wooden
service buildings which included the kitchen, wash house, stable,
coach house and necessaries.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Gadsby's Tavern provided lodging for
stagecoach passengers, riders from the south on their way to
Washington City, and for itinerant performers at the theater
across the street. Among those entertained at Gadsby's were
George Washington (on many occasions), Thomas Jefferson, John Adams,
John Paul Jones, and Lafayette, During the late 18th and early
19th century, the tavern enjoyed the reputation of being one of
the finest taverns in America, under the proprietorship of John
Gadsby.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: The City Tavern and City Hotel are
fine examples of late-Georgian brick architecture. The City
Tavern has stone lintels over the front windows with vermiculated
keystones and a stone belt course. Both buildings have a dentil
and modillion cornice and the gable end of the City Hotel displays
a raked cornice pediment with a bull's-eye window. Both buildings
have a moulded brick watertable.
In addition, much original woodwork remains in the buildings,
particularly the pedimented entries on Royal Street and mantels
in several locations. The City Hotel ballroom is the finest
extant space of its type, with twin scrolled and pedimented over-
cab
mantels, finely scaled fretted chairrail, and unique cantilevered
musicians' gallery.
LIDRARY
RESTORATION: When re-opened in 1976, the City Tavern and part
of the City Hotel will serve as museum exhibit spaces. A
restaurant featuring 18th century menus and environment will
operate in the City Hotel. The 1878 addition will be modernized
for use by the American Legion.
The structure and fabric of the buildings are in remarkably
good condition. The current effort is aimed at preserving and
upgrading the buildings to meet modern codes and to indorporate
the requisite mechanical systems with minimal disturbance to the
historic fabric.
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0140201
By Benjamin Forgey
A new vision:
public places
with sculpture
Be FORD LIBRARY
Innovative constructions of shapely
forms in city and country are changing
how things look-and are looked at
Late-evening commuters crossing one of the Potomac
River bridges from Washington to Virginia any one of
30 spring nights a year ago must have been startled to
see, coming out of the gathering darkness of the Vir-
ginia hills, three green shafts of light, each of a preter-
natural brilliance.
Visitors to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Per-
forming Arts got an even better view. The piercing
light beams, with their source atop high buildings on
the Virginia side barely distinguishable, skimmed the
top of the heavy thicket of trees on Roosevelt Island
and, mirrored in the darkening eddies of the river be-
low, came to rest in pale oval spots on the white marble
walls of the Center.
This evocative spectacle contained more than just a
touch of magic. It was created by Rockne Krebs, an
audacious artist whose principal medium has become
light itself (in this case harmless, beautiful, argon-ion
laser beams) and whose characteristic setting is noth-
ing less than the phantasmagoric nighttime collage
presented by our 20th-century cities.
In another section of Washington, not far from the
vista where Krebs created this exhilarating mark (the
apposite title of which was Irish Light), there is a
quiet, well-ordered spot that invites the stroller to sit
upon a bench, and perhaps contemplate one of the
more unusual architectural endeavors taking place in
20th-century America.
This is a garth (a small courtyard surrounded by
cloisters) beneath the soaring buttresses of the north