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NEW D.C. Exhibit: African Americans on Lafayette Square
04-14-2008
New exhibit at Decatur house showcases african american life on the square from 1795-1965
"I felt like the Queen of Sheba when she saw the riches of Solomon,
that ‘the half had not been told me’".
- Frederick Douglas, 1881
WASHINGTON, DC - On April 23, 2008, Decatur House on Lafayette Square will open a special exhibition entitled, The Half Had Not Been Told Me: African Americans on Lafayette Square (1795-1965). The exhibit explores the rich and varied experiences of African Americans within the unique landscape of the White House neighborhood during the 145th anniversary year of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln and is installed in the former slave quarters on the property.
The exhibit’s title is taken from the memoirs of Frederick Douglass, who described his first impressions of the beautiful Freedman’s Savings & Trust Company building, once located where today stands the Treasury Annex. Recalling his emotions upon seeing the bank’s headquarters, he wrote: "The whole thing was beautiful . . . I felt like the Queen of Sheba when she saw the riches of Solomon, that ‘the half had not been told me’."
Just like the riches of King Solomon to which Douglass referred, the African-American history of Lafayette Square is indeed a treasure, but it is one that has not had significant public exposure in the past. The exhibition breaks new ground in the interpretation of the Square’s history, and features some items never publicly exhibited before. Examples of items that will be included in the exhibit are:
Frederick Douglass’ cane – Given to Douglass, this cane features carved illustrations copied from Douglass' third autobiography, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass.
Painting of Lillian Evanti by Lois Mailou Jones, 1940 – on loan from the National Portrait Gallery, this breathtaking and elegant painting portrays one of the first African-American opera stars.
Elizabeth Keckly Quilt – Attributed to Elizabeth Keckly, dressmaker and confidante of Mary Todd Lincoln, it is said to be made from scraps of dresses she made for her. On loan from the Kent State University Museum.
Items from the Chris Webber Collection - Frederick Douglass Signed Letter on "United States Marshal’s Office" stationary and Frederick Douglass carte-de-visite, circa 1870. Webber, a former Washington Wizards star has an extensive collection of African-American artifacts.
The Half Had Not Been Told Me, which also complements a cell phone audio tour of the same title that Decatur House premiered in April 2007, encompasses both the interior and exterior architecture of Decatur House and its slave quarters as evocative of the experience of urban enslavement. Today, this building is one of a few examples of urban slave quarters in the United States, and is entirely unique as the only remaining physical evidence that African Americans were held in bondage in sight of the Executive Mansion.
An Opening Gala Dinner will be held on April 22, 2008 in the Decatur House Courtyard. The Honorable and Mrs. Togo D. West, Jr. are serving as the chairs for this event and Mayor and Mrs. Adrian M. Fenty will be serving as the Honorary Committee Chairs (A listing of the Honorary Committee is attached.) Guests will be welcomed by The Honorable Thomas R. Pickering and remarks will be given by The Honorable Togo D. West, Jr. The evening will also feature a vocal performance by opera baritone Terry N. Eberhardt.
The exhibition will remain open until March 1, 2009 and can be seen during regular museum hours. Decatur House is open Monday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm and Sunday, noon to 4pm.
Decatur House (1818), a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is one of three residences remaining in the country designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, the Father of American Architecture. Built in the neoclassical style for naval hero Stephen Decatur, the home’s prominent location on Lafayette Square across from the White House made it one of the capital’s most desirable addresses, including when it served as the unofficial residence of the Secretary of State. Today, visitors can see a restoration in progress and hear the compelling stories of this unique place, from elite socializing to a fatal duel, to an enslaved woman’s campaign for freedom.
NEW D.C. Exhibit: African Americans on Lafayette Square
Decatur House
1610 H Street, NW * Washington, DC 20006
A National Trust Historic Site
For Immediate Release
April 10, 2008
Contact: Mame Croze
Voice: (202) 842-0920 ext. 41228
E-mail:
mame_croze@nthp.orgAfrican American History on Lafayette Square
New exhibit at Decatur house showcases african american life on the square from 1795-1965
"I felt like the Queen of Sheba when she saw the riches of Solomon,
that ‘the half had not been told me’".
- Frederick Douglas, 1881
WASHINGTON, DC - On April 23, 2008, Decatur House on Lafayette Square will open a special exhibition entitled, The Half Had Not Been Told Me: African Americans on Lafayette Square (1795-1965). The exhibit explores the rich and varied experiences of African Americans within the unique landscape of the White House neighborhood during the 145th anniversary year of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln and is installed in the former slave quarters on the property.
The exhibit’s title is taken from the memoirs of Frederick Douglass, who described his first impressions of the beautiful Freedman’s Savings & Trust Company building, once located where today stands the Treasury Annex. Recalling his emotions upon seeing the bank’s headquarters, he wrote: "The whole thing was beautiful . . . I felt like the Queen of Sheba when she saw the riches of Solomon, that ‘the half had not been told me’."
Just like the riches of King Solomon to which Douglass referred, the African-American history of Lafayette Square is indeed a treasure, but it is one that has not had significant public exposure in the past. The exhibition breaks new ground in the interpretation of the Square’s history, and features some items never publicly exhibited before. Examples of items that will be included in the exhibit are:
Frederick Douglass’ cane – Given to Douglass, this cane features carved illustrations copied from Douglass' third autobiography, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass.
Painting of Lillian Evanti by Lois Mailou Jones, 1940 – on loan from the National Portrait Gallery, this breathtaking and elegant painting portrays one of the first African-American opera stars.
Elizabeth Keckly Quilt – Attributed to Elizabeth Keckly, dressmaker and confidante of Mary Todd Lincoln, it is said to be made from scraps of dresses she made for her. On loan from the Kent State University Museum.
Items from the Chris Webber Collection - Frederick Douglass Signed Letter on "United States Marshal’s Office" stationary and Frederick Douglass carte-de-visite, circa 1870. Webber, a former Washington Wizards star has an extensive collection of African-American artifacts.
The Half Had Not Been Told Me, which also complements a cell phone audio tour of the same title that Decatur House premiered in April 2007, encompasses both the interior and exterior architecture of Decatur House and its slave quarters as evocative of the experience of urban enslavement. Today, this building is one of a few examples of urban slave quarters in the United States, and is entirely unique as the only remaining physical evidence that African Americans were held in bondage in sight of the Executive Mansion.
An Opening Gala Dinner will be held on April 22, 2008 in the Decatur House Courtyard. The Honorable and Mrs. Togo D. West, Jr. are serving as the chairs for this event and Mayor and Mrs. Adrian M. Fenty will be serving as the Honorary Committee Chairs (A listing of the Honorary Committee is attached.) Guests will be welcomed by The Honorable Thomas R. Pickering and remarks will be given by The Honorable Togo D. West, Jr. The evening will also feature a vocal performance by opera baritone Terry N. Eberhardt.
The exhibition will remain open until March 1, 2009 and can be seen during regular museum hours. Decatur House is open Monday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm and Sunday, noon to 4pm.
Decatur House (1818), a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is one of three residences remaining in the country designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, the Father of American Architecture. Built in the neoclassical style for naval hero Stephen Decatur, the home’s prominent location on Lafayette Square across from the White House made it one of the capital’s most desirable addresses, including when it served as the unofficial residence of the Secretary of State. Today, visitors can see a restoration in progress and hear the compelling stories of this unique place, from elite socializing to a fatal duel, to an enslaved woman’s campaign for freedom.
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