The Society of the Cincinnati
Tour & discussion
June 10, 2016

Eleven Chesapeake Chapter members had an enjoyable visit to the Society of the Cincinnati library on Friday, June 10th. The Society of the Cincinnati is the nation’s oldest patriotic organization, founded in 1783 by officers of the Continental Army and their French counterparts who served together in the American Revolution. Its mission is to promote knowledge and appreciation of the achievement of American independence and the history of the War for Independence.

The highlight of the tour was a special presentation by our host, Ellen Clark who is the library’s director, on the production of the Society’s membership “diploma”, or certificate. The certificate was printed intaglio from a copperplate (which had later been chromium plated) that Mrs. Clark had on display. In addition, on display was the original design drawing by Pierre L’Enfant, as well as original correspondence concerning the production of the certificates between L’Enfant and the Society’s first president, George Washington. Mrs. Clark also had examples of finished certificates signed by Washington.

Mrs. Clark also provided a brief history of the Society and the library, and an overview of the library’s collection.

After her presentation Mrs. Clark graciously gave a tour of Anderson House the current headquarters of the Society. (Anderson House is open to the public for tours which this correspondent highly recommends.)

The visit concluded with the Society’s current exhibition “The Adventurous Life of Isabel Anderson,” which continues through September 18th, 2016. Isabel Anderson and her husband Larz, a member of the Society, built Anderson House and, eventually, donated it to the Society for use as its headquarters. Isabel Anderson was accomplished in many areas and deserves wider recognition. Many thanks go to Mrs. Clark and Chapter member Donald Farren, who  coordinated the visit for the Chapter.

Below are a few photos of the occasion.

ABOVE: Our group gathering for the tour.

ABOVE: A superb example of trompe l’oeil.

Ms. Ellen Clark, head librarian at the Society of the Cincinnati showing the original guidelines for the society.

ABOVE: Showing the original sketch of the society’s medal (shown below).

ABOVE: an original signed letter by George Washington and a closeup of his signature (below) on another document. Definitely a nice signature.

ABOVE: lighting in the room made it hard to photograph many documents. This is the original diploma received by the original members of the society.

ABOVE: a closeup of some of the engraving.

ABOVE: a closeup of the actual chromed engraving.

ABOVE: a wall mural showing George Washington holding the diploma.

ABOVE: Donald Farren showing the location of his house on a mural of the Anderson’s favorite driving roads.

ABOVE and BELOW: a few of the example of lettering seen around the house and in the accompanying exhibition.

ABOVE:  George Washington standing guard outside the Society’s Washington, DC, location.