In His Own Hand:
The Papers of George Washington, a scholarly
project based at the University of Virginia, marks the 200th
anniversary of the death of George Washington with two exhibitions,
one in the Dome Room of the Rotunda and the other in the Stettinius
Gallery on the second floor of Alderman Library. Curator of both shows
is Mary Anne Andrei, a Project staff member.
Sponsored by the Book Arts Press, the Dome Room show offers a detailed
exploration of the activities of the Papers of George Washington
staff. In 1969, the editors began a worldwide search for original
Washington documents. Over the years, about 140,000 items from nearly
400 repositories and hundreds of individuals have been identified,
copied, and cataloged. More than 40 volumes in this great edition have
thus far been published; the project has passed the half-way mark in
its work.
The Dome Room exhibition begins by reviewing earlier (and far less
complete) editions of the papers of George Washington, It includes
material showing how the current editors proceed: assembling original
documents and supporting information, dealing with maps, plats, and
other supporting graphic materials, coping with forgeries, and
preparing the edited text for print publication.
The second in this pair of exhibitions, on view in the Stettinius
Gallery on the second floor of Alderman Library at UVa, is entitled "A
Concert of Mourning: The Death of George Washington." It includes
about forty books, pamphlets, engravings, lithographs, and artifacts
brought together to explore the national and local observances that
marked the greatest period of national mourning in the history of the
United States.
"In His Own Hand: Editing the Papers of George Washington" is on
display in the Dome Room of the Rotunda at UVa, the centerpiece
building on the University's historic Grounds. The show will be up
through 7 May 1999. The Rotunda is open daily from 9 to 4:45 pm.
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