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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM EXPANDS COMMEMORATION OF AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY WITH EXHIBIT EXPLORING THE COMPLEX LEGACY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

Exhibit Features Washington’s Dress Sword and Surveying Equipment

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The New York State Museum is proud to announce its latest exhibit in recognition of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. George Washington: An American Paradox examines the multifaceted legacy of the nation’s first president. Long revered as a symbol of American ideals and known as the “Father of Our Nation,” the exhibit also confronts Washington’s complicated views on topics such as slavery and Indigenous Peoples, providing appropriate context for visitors of all ages.

On view in the Museum’s West Gallery, the exhibit features several of the most significant items from the collections of the New York State Museum and New York State Library, including:

• Washington’s Dress Sword – According to tradition, this sword was gifted to Washington in 1780 by Frederick the Great of Prussia, accompanied by the message: “From the oldest general of the world to the greatest.” Passed down through the Washington family, the sword was seized during John Brown’s 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry and later recovered. It was acquired by the New York State Legislature in 1871 and restored after damage sustained in the 1911 State Capitol fire. The sword appears in John Vanderlyn’s 1834 full-length portrait of Washington, which still hangs in the U.S. Capitol.
• Lafayette’s Pistol – Used by the Marquis de Lafayette during the Revolutionary War and gifted to Washington after the conflict, this pistol—like the sword—was taken during the Harpers Ferry raid and later returned.
• Washington’s Surveying Equipment – A box containing a compass, measuring chain, and six marking pins offers insight into Washington’s first profession. Appointed by Lord Fairfax at 16, Washington’s early surveying work introduced him to frontier life and to the Native Peoples with whom he would have complex and often contradictory relationships throughout his career.
• Oneida Shawl (on view later this summer) – According to Oneida oral tradition, this shawl was presented to Polly Cooper by Martha Washington in gratitude for her aid to the Continental Army.
• Federal Hall Chair – One of a pair of Hepplewhite mahogany side chairs believed to have been used during Washington’s 1789 inauguration in New York City. The event was attended by members of Congress, New York State officials, and foreign dignitaries. The oath of office was administered by Robert Livingston, Chancellor of New York.

Dr. Jennifer Lemak, Chief Curator of History at the New York State Museum said,

“As Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and the first President of the United States, George Washington is often celebrated for his lasting impact on the formation of our country, including his role in establishing the federal government and supporting the U.S. Constitution. But in creating this exhibit, we aimed to present a more balanced account of his legacy—one that includes his role in the displacement of Native populations and the enslavement of over 500 people. We hope visitors will leave with a deeper, more informed understanding of Washington as a leader and as a person.”

Principal Librarian Liza Duncan said, “The New York State Library is honored to share these extraordinary artifacts—Washington’s sword, Lafayette’s pistol, and his early surveying tools—with New Yorkers and visitors from across the country. Presenting these items offers a powerful opportunity to reflect on the legacy of our nation’s founding and bring history to life in a tangible, personal way.”

For details about the New York State Library’s George Washington collection, visit the collection page.

About the Office of Cultural Education

Established in 1836, the New York State Museum is the oldest and largest public museum in the United States. Home to leading scientists, historians, archeologists, and anthropologists, its collections represent the State’s rich cultural and natural heritage from the past and present, including a staggering 20+ million artifacts spanning 1.1 billion years ago to today. Located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission is free. For additional information, visit the New York State Museum website and subscribe to our newsletter.

The New York State Library, established in 1818, is the largest state library system in the nation and one of the largest research libraries in North America. It oversees a vast network of more than 7,000 libraries statewide. Collections are made available onsite and through a robust interlibrary loan program. The Library’s mission is advanced through several key divisions, including the Research Library, which houses a collection of over 20 million items, the Talking Book and Braille Library, and the Division of Library Development. The Library preserves and maintains invaluable historical collections and works, and serves as a Regional Depository for federal publications. Additionally, the State Library is the official repository of New York State government publications, ensuring their enduring preservation and accessibility for future generations. For more information, please visit the New York State Library website and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Established in 1971, the New York State Archives has amassed one of the most extensive and historically significant state archive collections in the nation. The Archives manages, preserves, and provides open access to over 270 million colonial and New York State records dating back to the 1630s. In addition, the Archives provides records and archival management services to nearly 4,500 counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts, and other local governments across New York State. The Archives offers technical assistance, training, and grants to non-government repositories through the Documentary Heritage Program and Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY). Researchers can access public records through the Archives’ online Digital Collections or by appointment on the 11^th floor of the Cultural Education Center. For more information, please visit www.archives.nysed.gov.

The Archives Partnership Trust, a 501(c)3 organization, works to advance New York State History by making the voices within over 350 years of records accessible, relevant, and heard. Education, preservation, and outreach programs unite scholars, students, and the interested public in the discovery, interpretation, and promotion of our shared history. Programs created and supported by the Trust include: ConsidertheSourceNY.org; Larry J. Hackman Research Residency Program; Student Research Awards; countless preservation projects to help stabilize and rehabilitate fragile records; and outreach programs such as New York Archives Magazine, the Empire State Archives and History Award, and other public education programs. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive timely updates.

The State Museum, State Library, and State Archives are programs of the New York State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or by visiting the Office of Cultural Education website.

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