Step-brothers David Farragut and David Porter, both U.S. naval captains, worked together to capture the forts protecting New Orleans in the spring of 1862. For this immensely important Union victory early in the Civil War, Captain Farragut presented this pistol to Captain Porter. The revolver is a cased English Webley “Longspur” single action pistol engraved…
The weapons, uniforms, gear, and paraphernalia from two centuries of American warfare
Accouterments of the Buffalo Soldiers shown here are part of an excellent assemblage originally built by Kareem Abdul Jabbar. The still-growing collection of Buffalo Soldier materials includes several uniforms, weapons, and pieces of military and personal equipment belonging to members of the African American infantry units that fought in the post-Civil War western Indian Wars….
Original photographs of the invasion by the U.S. Marines of Iwo Jima.
Photos taken by Marine and Navy photographers of the battle to capture the island from Japanese defenders so that the island could be used as an airbase to launch attacks on Japan itself. One of the iconic photographs of WWII was the raising of the American Flag on Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945, though…
Return from the Market
John Lewis Krimmel’s study for Return from the Market. Sometimes called “the American Hogarth,” Krimmel (American, 1789-1821) was the country’s first noted painter of genre scenes. Born in Germany, Krimmel emigrated to Philadelphia in 1809 and soon became a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. He was among the first artists in America…
Boating on the Fourth of July
(ca. 1860s) by Asher Durand (American 1796-1886). Known for his seminal work in helping found the Hudson River School, Asher Durand’s work is exhibited in every major American art museum. Durand is particularly remembered for his detailed portrayals of trees, rocks, and foliage. He was an advocate for drawing directly from nature with as much…
A Formal Gathering
by Alice Barber Stephens (American, 1858-1932). Stephens studied under Thomas Eakins and quickly attained leadership in the “New Woman” movement of working and professional women of the late 19th century. She was, perhaps ironically, best recognized for her illustrations for Ivory Soap advertisements. Her work regularly appeared in magazines such as Scribner’s Monthly, Harper’s Weekly,…
Function and fashion across two centuries of French and English furniture
The Pamplin Collection holds many and diverse pieces of 18th and 19th century furniture, including this period English secretary bookcase, with original broken- arch pediment and original mirrors. The candle slides are still intact. Continental two drawer chest, with original escutcheons. Marquetry of ebony and satinwood, plus other woods. This elegant curved front desk–a Continental…
Drinks Box 18th Century
Tantalus, or drinks box, 18th century, with an interior fitted for bottles and glasses. This tantalus is made of burled walnut and is supported by four carved feet. The bottles and glasses are of the same period, and thus are over 200 years old.
George Washington Objects
Objects in the Pamplin Collection relating to George Washington include, at the top, an American Revolutionary period stocked musket, with a 46-inch barrel, and a cherry stock made in the British Brown Bess style. With its pre-French and Indian War French lock and brass trigger guard and rammer pipes, the gun is a fine example…
George Washington George Washington, The Battle of Dorchester Heights
George Washington, The Battle of Dorchester Heights, by Emanuel Leutze (German/American, 1816-1868) This monumental (80”” x 120”) portrait, once owned by the Philadelphia Library, was painted by Leutze in 1853, not long after he completed his portrayal of “Washington Crossing the Delaware.” (One of the four studies for which is also in the Pamplin Collection.)