U.S. to Celebrate 225 Years Since End of Revolutionary War

The American Revolution Center and The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
present exhibit honoring the signing of the Treaty of Paris

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- September 3, 2008 marks the
225th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which formally ended
the American Revolutionary War and secured British recognition of American
Independence. The American Revolution Center has partnered with The
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts to mount a month-long exhibition in
celebration of this important and often forgotten period of American history.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080902/NYTU034 )
The exhibition "Peace, Liberty, and Independence": 225 Years After the
Treaty of Paris, will include rare and important paintings, watercolors,
prints, maps, documents, and objects that illustrate the course of the second
longest military conflict in American history.
"We are very excited to recount the story of the American Revolution
through a mix of fine and folk art, maps, prints and objects, many of which
are rarely on public display," said the Center's Director of Collections and
Interpretation, Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, who co-curated the exhibition and
will present a lecture as part of the Academy's Art at Lunch series on October
8 at noon titled, "Tools of War: Weapons from the American Revolution Center."
The exhibition will be on view at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine
Arts September 12 - October 12, 2008 in the Historic Landmark Building.
The Center is lending two period watercolors depicting the Battles of
Paoli and Germantown by the Italian artist Xavier della Gatta as well as a
group of rare arms and equipment carried by American, British, and French
participants in the military conflict.
To further help honor this landmark event, Pierre Vimont, Ambassador of
France to the United States and Edward G. Rendell, Governor, Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, are serving as honorary co-chairs of a preview reception that
will occur on September 10, 2008.
The Center will honor Dr. Bruce Cole, Chairman of the National Endowment
for the Humanities, with the Spirit of America Award during the preview
reception for his significant achievements in supporting innovative history
education, particularly through the arts.
On September 12, Thomas Fleming, a noted author and member of the Center's
Board of Scholars, and Dr. Peter A. Lillback, author of Washington's Sacred
Fire and the president of The Providence Forum, will give a lecture titled
"The Mind and Heart of the Indispensable Man -- George Washington." The
lecture and reception will take place from 6 - 8 p.m. in the Historic Landmark
Building at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Light refreshments will
be served. The event is free to Academy members, $10 for non-members. RSVPs
are required as space is limited. Please call 215-972-6196 by September 5,
2008 to make a reservation.
The Center has also arranged for the iconic American, painting, The Prayer
At Valley Forge by Arnold Friberg to be on display for the opening reception
and September 12 lecture. The artist and his wife will attend the opening
reception.
"Peace, Liberty, and Independence": 225 Years After the Treaty of Paris
has been generously supported by EDF International North America, Wyeth,
Radnor Trust, Timothy P. Speiss, and Van Wagner Communications.
About The American Revolution Center
The American Revolution Center will be the first museum and education
center dedicated to interpreting, celebrating and promoting the complete story
of the entire American Revolution and its ongoing relevance. It will showcase
the Center's distinguished collection of artifacts, manuscripts and objects
from the period of the American Revolution. The Center's highly respected
design team includes Robert A.M. Stern Architects and exhibit design firm
Ralph Appelbaum and Associates, distinguished for their work with the Newseum,
the Clinton Library and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. For more
information, please visit www.americanrevolutioncenter.org.
About the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is America's
oldest continually operating school of fine arts and museum. A recipient of
the 2005 National Medal of Arts presented by the President of the United
States of America, the Academy is a recognized leader in fine arts education.
Nearly every major American artist has taught, studied, or exhibited at the
Academy. The institution's world-class collection of American art continues to
grow and provides what only a few other art institutions in the world offer:
the rare combination of a world-class museum and an extraordinary faculty
known for its commitment to students and for the stature and quality of its
artistic work.
Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday,
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Academy is located at 118-128 N. Broad Street in
Philadelphia. Admission to Permanent Collection is Adults $10, Seniors &
Students with I.D. $8, Youth ages 5-18, $6. Admission to Special Exhibitions
is Adults $15, Seniors & Students with I.D. $12, Youth Ages 5-18, $8.
Admission is free for members and children under age of 5. Admission to Morris
Gallery exhibitions is free.
SOURCE The American Revolution Center

ZeeAnn Mason of American Revolution Center, +1-610-975-4939,
zmason@americanrevolutioncenter.org; or Gigi Lamm of Pennsylvania Academy of
the Fine Arts, +1-215-972-2031, glamm@pafa.org