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.
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