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Current Exhibition Press Releases

Seven Deadly Sins: Fables and Early American Temptations
April 3 - August 15, 2009



WASHINGTON, DC – The DAR Museum explores early American life through the timeless temptations of envy, gluttony, greed, lust, pride, sloth and wrath. The exhibition, “Seven Deadly Sins: Fables and Early-American Temptations,” which runs from April 3 through August 15, 2009, illustrates each of the seven deadly sins using Aesop’s fables and objects from the DAR Museum’s collection.

The result is a lighted-hearted look at early American culture and its indulgences, pitfalls and displays of wealth. Included in the exhibition are 18th- and 19th-century currency, sumptuous furniture and beautiful clothing, all temptations that remain familiar today.

Envy, for example, compares silver, gold and mahogany luxury goods with the less expensive substitutes most people would have used. Among the enviable objects are pieces from a silver tea service crafted by Revolutionary statesman Paul Revere.

In addition to a display of early American currency, Greed depicts everything necessary for a good game of cards and money scales to cut wins and losses, as well as a collection of silk miser’s purses for those less inclined to spend.

Sloth depicts the universal temptation to lounge the day away on a comfy sofa. Sure to inspire sympathy in visitors are examples of homework and craft projects left unfinished since the 19th century.

As well as offering a family-friendly look at interesting details of early American life, this unique exhibition provides an opportunity to see a broad sample of the DAR Museum’s collection. Objects displayed include examples of the museum’s premier quilt and silver collections and more unusual objects such as rifles, cane swords, a child’s school slate, and a rare Aesop’s Fables book from 1884.

The exhibit includes hands-on activities and a reading area with fables and fairy tales for children. After viewing “Seven Deadly Sins” in the DAR Museum gallery, visitors are welcome to explore the 31 Period Rooms for more portrayals of American life from the colonial era to 1940.

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Wedgwood: 250 Years of Innovation and Artistry



WASHINGTON, DC – Wedgwood celebrates its 250th anniversary this year. Wedgwood’s remarkable story spans two and a half centuries of discovery, vision, experimentation, industry and exquisite design. From its humble British beginnings to iconic global status, Wedgwood has a rich English classic history.

2009 also commemorates Wedgwood’s glorious story: the magnificent efforts of Wedgwood’s intrepid founder Josiah Wedgwood; its illustrious, royal patrons; the array of designers with whom Wedgwood has collaborated with; and the craftsmen who still hand press wafer-thin slivers of bas-relief at the home of Wedgwood in Stoke-on-Trent.

To mark the anniversary, the Wedgwood-250 Exhibition Committee is pleased to announce its commemoration plans for a major exhibition and ceremony to take place in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Co-Chairs, Lord Wedgwood, Wedgwood corporate ambassador, and Adele Barnett, president Wedgwood Society of Washington, D.C., are partnering with the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum to introduce "Wedgwood: 250 Years of Innovation and Artistry."

The exhibition will run at the DAR Museum from October 3, 2009 through February 27, 2010 and will showcase nearly 200 select items illustrating the company’s unique history and manufacturing. All eras from 1759 to 2009, the wide variety of clay bodies and designs and the numerous categories of items produced will be represented with the objects being drawn from North American private, museum and celebrity collectors such as Martha Stewart and Whoopi Goldberg. The museum participants lending items for the exhibition include the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Smithsonian Museum of American History, Winterthur Museum, Colonial Williamsburg, the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, and others.

Over its rich 250-year history, Wedgwood produced hundreds of thousands of items both useful and decorative in a vast array of finishes, adornments, and colors. The exhibition will showcase an array of early useful wares; tableware from 18th to 21st centuries; decorative wares; jewelry; a Matthew Boulton sword with Wedgwood medallions; a Fairyland Lustre vase by Daisy Makeig-Jones from the Whoopi Goldberg collection; an original White House Theodore Roosevelt Presidential plate; and a golf trophy presented to Tiger Woods. Artist pieces featured will include works by Emile Lessore, Harry Barnard, John Skeaping, Millicent Taplin, Eric Ravilious, and many more. Among the busts and portrait medallions from the 18th to 20th century on display will be Josiah Wedgwood I, Charles Darwin, George Washington, and Queen Elizabeth II.

For additional information on this exhibition and other Wedgwood products, visit www.wedgwoodusa.com. For more information on the Daughters of the American Revolution, visit www.dar.org. And for updates on the Wedgwood-250 Exhibition project, visit www.wedgwood250USA.org.

DAR Museum's Quilt Camp Sends Quilt to Soldiers in Iraq



The DAR Museum’s Quilt Camp, in conjunction with the Fairfax, Virginia chapter of Quilters Unlimited, was honored to send a “Quilt of Valor” to comfort injured troops in Iraq. The Quilt of Valor program, which works with one of the Emergency Department hospitals in Baghdad, gives a quilt to each soldier admitted.

The DAR Quilt Camp for 10- to 17-year-olds meets in two-week sessions each summer. Campers learn about quilt crafts and create projects inspired by pieces from the museum’s collection. Last summer, they helped appliqué hearts on the quilt, which was created by Kathy Gray, Debbie Repass and Elaine Stemetzski from Quilters Unlimited.

The quilt is also decorated with signatures and words of gratitude and encouragement from the campers and the DAR Museum’s education team. "It’s good to know that we were able show support for our troops and bring a touch of home to them," said DAR Museum Curator of Education Raina Boyd.

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