Feldman analysts is artistic portrayals of the American Revolution and civil war. She talks about the influence of paintings, sculptures, in memorials on how history is remembered. The Smithsonian Associates host to this event. Today we are going to look at the American Revolution and civil war, in particular, but a little beyond that. Controversies about the stories we tell. I am going to focus, because it is impossible to cover such an amount of material in one top. Im going to focus in particular on the nations capital, and the public buildings on the mall, which is after all, the centerpiece of american political culture, and our public culture, where people come from all around the world, and the country to participate in government, to learn about government, to understand our heritage. So i thought what is it we say to those people when they come to washington . What have been some of the controversies . What are some of the issues we should be aware of . And what is missing . S
Where he also had figures such as this but in his case, its peace rielding in ayuchlful chariot. You can see the peace in the center. The partially nude female figure crowned riding the four horses and golden victory figures off to each side. Well, this is what mills had in mind for George Washington. They were thinking of it for George Washington that transposed him from the human, from the everyday, from a general to now a super human almost godlike figure. And so when construction, which had been halted on the Washington Monument for about 20 years in the 1860s and 70s, when construction was started up again, the engineer, thomas casey, who really loved modern inventions, elevators, electric lights, decided no were not going to put that temple at the bottom. He wanted the Washington Monument to stay that would represent america. Moving forward into the 20th century. And so he now saw it as a sleek monument of american ingenuity. So it was his decision, essentially, not to create the
Bill Clinton Historical lecture. I would like to thank our great trustee and benefactor, bernard schwartz, for his generosity and making this event and many of our Public Programs possible. [applause] i would also like to recognize and thank one of our trustees who has joined us today, david blight. One of our panelists. I would take this opportunity to say how proud we are to count david among our trustees at new York Historical. I want to recognize laura washington and mercedes franklin, who are cochairs of our Frederick Douglass counsel. Of course, welcome all members who have joined up today. Joined usned us today. [applause] and i want to recognize a longstanding and very special friend of new York Historical, eric rudin, who has joined us this morning. Thank eric for all he and his family have done over a very long time at this institution. Thank you. [applause] this Mornings Program will last about an hour and a half and it will include a question and answer session. You should
I would also like to recognize and thank one of our trustees who has joined us today, david blight. One of our panelists. Opportunity tois say how proud we are to count david among our trustees at New York Historical. I want to recognize laura washington and mercedes franklin, who are cochairs of our Frederick Douglass counsel. Of course, welcome all members who have joined up today. Who have joined up today. [applause] and i want to recognize a if not, my colleagues are going up and down the aisles with notecards and pencils. The notecards will be collected later on in the program. There will be a book signing following the program this morning. The book signing will take place right outside these central doors in the smith gallery. Copies of the books are available for purchase at our ny History Museum store, which is located to my left on the 77th street side. We are really, truly delighted to welcome our guest speakers. David blight, professor of American History and director of th
Provided the video. Good evening everyone. It is my absolute delight and pleasure to have the opportunity to speak with my good friend and professional colleague harold. Feel free to use the question and answer button at the top of your screen and we will get to as many questions as we can towards the end. To let us turn our attention to some objects that help us describe the civil war. Lets see the cover of the book. Civil war and 50 objects. In the museum realm, particularly the history museum, the art, objects and documents on display have the power to stand in for a larger historical narrative and make so much more than what is structurally defining of that object in itself. Harold, about this book, how did this come about and how effective is it and conveying the narrative of the civil war in 50 objects . It is kind of a tactile history that brings you closer to the lived experience of the civil war. That is what made it so exciting for me, and if you are asking how it happened, i