For Immediate Release: September 21, 2010 through February 2011

Contact: Melissa Eastlake, (202) 879-3274

 

DAR Museum Exhibition Explores Political Diversity in Early America

 

What:   

DAR Museum exhibition: 

"'A True North Britain': The Furniture of John Shearer, 1790-1820"

 

Date:

October 8, 2010 - February 26, 2011

 

Hours:

Monday - Friday 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Closed Sundays and Federal holidays

 

Address:

DAR Museum, 1776 D Street NW, Washington DC 20006

 

Telephone:

(202) 879-3241

 

Web site:          

www.dar.org/museum <http://www.dar.org/museum>  

 

Admission:        

Free to the public. To schedule a group tour call (202) 879-3241.

 

Description:

The exquisitely detailed furniture of craftsman John Shearer is
showcased in the DAR Museum exhibition "'A True North Britain': The
Furniture of John Shearer, 1790-1820." Noted not only for its form but
also for the politically charged symbols inlaid in many pieces, the
furniture helps to explore early America's cultural ties to Great
Britain during the most contentious period in the two nations' shared
history.

 

John Shearer, originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, worked in northern
Virginia and western Maryland in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
He left behind no paper trail, choosing instead to inscribe his
biography and his politics directly on his furniture. While other early
craftsmen were inlaying their work with eagles to symbolize a new
American government, Shearer glorified Great Britain and its Royal Navy.


 

Shearer documented the Royal Navy's exploits almost like a political
cartoonist. Although fine furniture was an unusual medium for these
messages, 52 of his pieces survive, showing that his pro-British
sentiments did not deter demand for the simple but unconventionally
embellished furniture. 

 

As America formed a national identity, its cultural and political
diversity included many who retained a strong sense of loyalty to Great
Britain. This exhibition explores the work of one eccentric artist to
show how this diversity was built into the foundations of our country.

 

DAR Museum: 
The DAR Museum collection features more than 30,000 examples of
decorative and fine arts, including objects made or used in America
prior to the Industrial Revolution. Furniture, silver, paintings,
ceramics and textiles, such as quilts and costumes, are exhibited in 31
period rooms and two galleries. The main gallery features changing
exhibitions and displays of selected quilts, coverlets and samplers.
The DAR Museum Shop offers a variety of unique gifts and books. The DAR
Museum, located at 1776 D Street NW, is free to the public and open 9:30
a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday and 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Docent tours of the period rooms are offered from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday and 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday. The DAR Museum is
closed Sundays, Federal holidays, and for one week during the DAR annual
meeting in July.  For information on the DAR Museum, visit
www.dar.org/museum <http://www.dar.org/museum>  or call (202) 879-3241
to schedule a group tour.

 
Melissa Eastlake
Web Content Coordinator
Public Relations Department
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
http://www.dar.org/
http://www.youtube.com/TodaysDAR
(202) 879-3274
[log in to unmask]
 
 

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