Hail to the Chief: Presidential History in Word and Image at SMU’s DeGolyer Library

The exhibit is the inspiration for SMU's Community Day on July 20, when Colonial America will come alive on the campus. Kids can write with a quill pen, make a yarn toy or play Colonial games. A fife and drum corps and historical interpreters in costume will set the tone from 9 a.m. to noon on the Laura Bush Promenade west of the Fondren Library Center. Learn more.

DeGolyer Library is the document’s ninth stop on a seven-month, 13-stop tour of presidential libraries sponsored by the National Archives and the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. The DeGolyer exhibit is sponsored by the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, which opened May 1 on the SMU campus.

George Washington’s Acts of Congress was purchased at auction last year by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association for $9.8 million.  One of only 30 known copies, it was prepared in 1789 by the official printer of Congress. Bound volumes of legislation were created as permanent keepsakes for national leaders. Washington received his book in 1789, his first year as president, and brought it with him to Mount Vernon in 1797 at his retirement.

After this year it will be permanently displayed at the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon, under construction by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.

Washington’s volume will be part of a larger exhibit, which will include presidential political memorabilia such as campaign biographies, letters, posters, buttons, cartoons, inaugural medals, photographs and other artifacts, from George Washington to Barack Obama. Featured will be items from various DeGolyer collections, including the Hervey A. Priddy Collection of American Presidential and Political Memorabilia and the Doris A. and Lawrence H. Budner Theodore Roosevelt Collection.

Event at a Glance

What:

George Washington’s personal copy of the Acts of Congress, which includes the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and other legislation passed by the first session of Congress, displayed as part of the SMU DeGolyer Library exhibit,  “Hail to the Chief: American Presidential History in Word and Image.”

Where:

DeGolyer Library
Fondren Library West
6404 Hyer Lane, SMU
DeGolyer Library is located on the east side of SMU's Main Quad, near the main fountain.

When:

“George Washington’s Acts of Congress,”  July 14-27

Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, July 14

8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday

8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, July 20

Noon - 5 p.m., Sunday, July 21

8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, July 27

“Hail to the Chief: American Presidential History in Word and Image,” July 14-Sept. 20

8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday

8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, July 20

Noon - 5 p.m., Sunday, July 21

8:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, July 27

Cost: Free and open to the public

Parking: Visitors may park in designated areas, including Binkley Parking Garage at 3105 Binkley Avenue and Moody Parking Garage at 3063 SMU Boulevard. (Click here to see or download parking maps.) You can also ride the Mustang Express (Route 768) from Mockingbird Station to campus.

About George Washington

George Washington was the first President of the United States (1789-1797), the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He presided over the convention that drafted the U.S. Constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation and established the position of President.

About DeGolyer Library

DeGolyer Library is the principal repository at SMU for special collections in the humanities, the history of business, and the history of science and technology. Its rare books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, and other materials are available to all SMU students, faculty, visiting scholars, and other researchers. DeGolyer Library’s holdings of primary sources are complemented by exhibitions, lectures, publications, and other programs.