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Westmoreland County Museum News

1768 William Pitt portrait at Westmoreland County Museum

The 1768 portrait of Sir William Pitt, Lord Chatham of the

British House of Commons. traveled to Westmoreland

County in 1769 by ship to the intended destination of the

Westmoreland County Courthouse. After various residences,

the portrait was moved to the Westmoreland County

Courthouse in August, where it was originally intended to

be displayed.

 

On September 9, Stratford Hall will hold a symposium to

discuss the history of the painting as well as the techniques

used to create the reproduction that hangs at Stratford Hall. 

More details below

1768 William Pitt portrait at Westmoreland County Museum

Pitt Symposium

Pitt, Peale & the Patriots Symposium:

Saturday, September 9, 2023

1:00 – 7:30 p.m.

A Collaborative Effort of Stratford Hall,

Westmoreland County Museum,

and Preservation Northern Neck and

Middle Peninsula. A Northern Neck 250 event.

 

In the walk-up to commemorations of this

nation’s 250th anniversary, join us

in the Stratford Hall Council House

for a symposium on patriot and

painter Charles Willson Peale’s portrait

of British statesman William Pitt.

Edmund Jenings of Maryland and London

gifted the portrait to the “gentlemen [and

women] of Westmoreland” through the

offices of Richard Henry Lee. The painting

hung at Lee residences Chantilly and

Stratford Hall before settling ultimately in

the Westmoreland County Museum, where

it hangs today. An exquisite reproduction

painting and complementary frame to

scale now adorns the parlor at Stratford Hall.

Come experience this portrait.

Learn more about Peale’s spectacular commemorative

portrait of Pitt’s defense of colonial liberties. 

The one-day symposium opens at 1 p.m.

with a keynote by Dr. J. Patrick Mullins,

Associate Professor of History and Director

of Public History at Marquette

University. A reception at the Inn at Montross

and viewing of the Peale original concludes

the day. Distinguished speakers include Lucinda

Dukes Edinberg (Curator, Hammond-Harwood

House Museum), Bradley Stevens (realist

painter and accomplished portraitist),

F. Carey Howlett (Conservator of Historic Furniture

and Architectural Interiors), and

Sandy Jensen (Conservator of Gilded Objects).  

 

Speakers will focus on the historical context and

significance of the Pitt portrait and commission,

its political and art historical contents,

and the art and value of its reproduction

for Stratford Hall.

Program & Reception Schedule

1:00 – 2:15 p.m.: J. Patrick Mullins

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.: Lucinda Dukes Edinberg 

3:45 – 4:45 p.m.: Bradley Stevens

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.: Carey Howlett & Sandy Jensen

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.: Original Pitt Portrait Viewing at

the Historic Courthouse and

Reception at the Inn at Montross

Seating is limited, so reserve your space now!

$30 General Admission

$20 for Friends of Stratford, Westmoreland County

Museum members, and PNNMP members

$10 for Students 

Click below for tickets

Pitt, Peale & the Patriots Symposium Tickets | Robert E. Lee Memorial Association, Inc. (simpletix.com)