Exhibit Details
The earlier of the two swords, on loan from a private collection, features a fashionable silver lion-headed pommel and a spiral-cut grip made from animal bone. It was acquired by Washington in 1770 and carried by him during the early battles of the Revolution, including Boston, Long Island, and the famous crossing of the Delaware on Christmas night 1776.
The second sword is on loan from the collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Made for Washington in 1778 or 1779, it features a distinctive hilt of green-stained ivory trimmed with silver tape. Carried by Washington during the later years of the American Revolution, this sword has long been celebrated as the General’s “battle sword.” It descended in the Washington family until 1843, when it was presented to Congress, for the American nation. Two of Washington’s dress swords from the Mount Vernon collection will also be on display.
Exhibit Dates
George Washington’s Swords will be on view at the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center from Friday, February 12 through Monday, May 30, 2016.
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