Descriptive Summary
The American Catholic Research Center and University Archives
1905-1934, n.d.
George Washington Bicentennial Observance
George Washington Bicentennial Observance Collection
1.5 linear feet; 3 boxes
The George Washington Bicentennial Commission was established by Congress, with President Herbert Hoover as chairman, to sponsor a series of nationwide celebrations in 1932 to honor of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the first President, George Washington. The observances were held from Washington's birthday, 22 February, to Thanksgiving Day, 24 November 1932. The National Catholic celebration was held on Memorial Day, 28 May 1932, at The Catholic University of America (CUA), with nearly 60,000 persons attending and the service broadcast nationally on radio. The collection consists largely of printed material, some of it issued by the US George Washington Bicentennial Commission, and including booklets, newspaper clippings, programs, and maps relating to the national observance of Washington's birth.
148
English
Historical Note
The George Washington Bicentennial Commission was established in December 1924 by a joint resolution of the Congress of the United States and signed by President Calvin Coolidge with the purpose to sponsor a series of nationwide celebrations in honor of the 200th anniversary in 1932 of the birth of the nation's first President, George Washington. The Commission was tasked to present Washington on the national, state, and local level as farmer, soldier, and statesman rather than the near legendary and largely fictitious caricature depicted by many writers and so called historians. Representative Sol Bloom, a veteran of the entertainment industry, headed the Commission and despite the vicissitudes of the Great Depression was able to pull off a series of popular observances from Washington's Birthday on February 22 through Thanksgiving Day on November 24, 1932.
The National Catholic celebration of this was held on Memorial Day, 28 May 1932, at The Catholic University of America. Nearly 60,000 persons attended a military field mass conducted in the Stadium. The celebrant was Michael J. Curley, Archbishop of Baltimore and Chancellor of the university. The Archbishop wore the pectoral cross of Bishop John Carroll, the first Catholic Bishop in the United States. The altar was the one used by Father Andrew White to say the first mass for the Maryland colonists on 25 March 1634. The service was broadcast from coast to coast.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists largely of published and printed material from a variety of sources, with much of it issued by the United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission. It includes booklets, newspaper clippings, programs, as well as a floor plan and area map of Wakefield, Virginia, the site of Washington's birth. There is also duplicated (photocopies) of correspondence and related material from the records of the rector (president) of The Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C.
The first series is General Publications, 1905 to 1933 and undated, in box 1 and organized chronologically.
The second series is George Washington Bicentennial Commission Material, 1931-1932, in boxes 2-3. These are materials from the federal commission officially created to commemorate the bicentennial and are organized chronologically.
The third series is Catholic University of America Material, 1927-1934, in box 3. This has material related to the celebration, especially the May 28, 1932 military mass, of the bicentennial at The Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C. Included are duplicate copies of two administrative files from box 70 of the records of the CUA president as well as copies of articles from the campus newspaper and a related CUA Press pamphlet.
The fourth series is National Catholic Welfare Conference (NCWC) Publications, 1931-1932, in box 3. This consists of two items, the first being an article by Charles A. McMahon published in the February 1931 issue of the NCWC Review and the second a booklet issued by the NCWC Department of Education in 1932.
Arrangement
The George Washington Bicentennial Observance Collection consists of four series:
- Series 1: General Publications and Printed Material, 1905-1933, n.d., Box 1
- Series 2: George Washington Bicentennial Commission Material, 1931-1932, Boxes 2-3
- Series 3: Catholic University of America (CUA) Material, 1927-1934, Box 3
- Series 4: National Catholic Welfare Conference (NCWC) Publications, 1931-1932, Box 3
Restrictions on Access
None
Related Material
Catholic University of America:
Office of the Rector (President), Catholic University
Connecticut State Library:
National Archives:
Western Reserve Historical Society:
Index Terms
This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Persons:
George Washington
Organizations:
Catholic University of America (CUA)
George Washington Bicentennial Commission
National Catholic Welfare Conference (NCWC)
Places:
Washington, D.C.
Subjects:
Celebrations
Commemorations
Acquisition Information
It is unknown how the bulk of the collection was acquired. Some of the Catholic University related material was duplicated from official records while original printed material was obtained as surplus copies from the university publications collection.
Processing Information
Processing and EAD markup completed in 2012 by William John Shepherd.
Select Bibliography
Bloom, Saul. "The George Washington Bicentennial Celebration," Advocate of Peace through Justice, Vol. 93, No. 3 (August 1931), pp. 15-17, 31.
Howard, John Tasker. "The Washington Celebration and the Supervisor," Music Supervisor's Journal, Vol. 16, No. 1 (October 1931), pp. 18-19.
McMahon, Charles A. "The George Washington Bicentennial Program of the Nationwide Celebration Authorized by Congress for 1932," NCWC Review (February 1931), pp. 18-19.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: General Publications and Printed Material,
1905-1933, n.d.
(1 Box)
Publications and printed material related to George Washington and collected from a variety of sources. Organized chronologically.
1
1
'What did Washington Look Like,?' The Booklovers Magazine, Volume 5, No. 2, February 1905
Article tear sheet: 16 pages.
1
2
The Sulgrave Institution of the United States and Great Britain,
ca. 1921
Printed Material: 16 page Program, 4 page list of personnel, and 2 page solicitation letter.
1
3
'Washington's Birthday,' Denver, Colorado, February 22, 1923
Program: 4 pages.
1
4
'Washington's Washington,' Historical Research Service, Washington, D.C.,
1925
Booklet: 16 pages.
1
5
'Westmoreland County, VA., in the Building of the Nation, Extension of Remarks of Hon. Schuyler Otis Bland of Virginia in the House of Representatives, July 3, 1926,'
Pamphlet: 16 pages.
1
6
'The Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of George Washington, An Address by President Calvin Coolidge before a Joint Session of the Congress of the United States, February 22, 1927,'
Booklet: 58 pages.
1
7
'The Story of Kenmore,'
1927
Booklet: 20 pages.
1
8
'King's Daughters of Charles City County Present "An Evening in Old Virginia,'
April 13, 1928
Pamphlet: 4 pages.
1
9
'The George Washington Scandals,' Washington Society of Alexandria, Virginia,
ca. 1930
Bulletin: 12 pages.
1
10
'The Mother of George Washington,' Radio Address by Mrs. John Dickinson Sherman, Washington, D.C., Mother's Day, May 11, 1930,
Pamphlet: 8 pages.
1
11
'The Glory of Maryland as Depicted by the Hauenstein Murals in the Maryland Room of Olney Inn, Olney Maryland,'
1931
Pamphlet: 12 pages.
1
12
'Proposed Plans and Programs for Cities, Towns, and Villages for the Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the birth of George Washington,' New York State,
1931
Booklet: 28 pages.
1
13
'The Cradle of the Nation-Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown-Virginia's Historic Triangle,' by J. Luther Kibler,
1931
Booklet: 66 pages.
1
14
'Historical Map of Fredericksburg, Virginia,'
1931
Pamphlet: 4 pages.
1
15
'The George Washington Bicentennial,' Fordham College,
ca. 1932
Booklet: 106 pages.
1
16
'Speeches at the Dinner to Celebrate the Bi-Centenary of the Birth of George Washington,' Hotel Victoria, London, Tuesday, 12th July, 1932,
Booklet: 20 pages.
1
17
'Civic Comment,' American Civic Association,
1932
Booklet: 42 pages.
1
18
'George Washington Bicentennial News,' Alexandria Gazette, Virginia (1),
1932
Newspaper: Multiple Issues.
1
19
'George Washington Bicentennial News,' Alexandria Gazette, Virginia (2),
1932
Newspaper: Multiple Issues.
1
20
'George Washington Bicentennial News,' Alexandria Gazette, Virginia (3),
1932
Newspaper: Multiple Issues.
1
21
Wakefield, Virginia (George Washington's Birthplace),
1932
Booklet: 36 pages, plus two Pamphlets of 4 pages each.
1
22
'Book Guide to the Separate States of these United States of America, May 1933,, Colonial Dames of America,
1933
Booklet: 52 pages.
1
23
The Lords Baltimore Exhibition .... Tercentenary Celebration of the Sailing of the Colonists on the Ark and the Dove,
1933
Booklet: 16 pages and a Newspaper Clipping of 2 pages.
1
24
Wakefield, Virginia (George Washington's Birthplace),
n.d.
Blueprints: 3 items, 3 pages.
1
25
'Excerpts from the Address of the United States to President Washington and from His Reply Thereto (December 1789),'
n.d.
Document (Fragile): 1 page.
1
26
'Washington sa corresondance avec D'Estaing,' Fondation Nationale Pour la Reproduction des Manuscrits Precieux et Piece Rares D'Archives 3, Rue de Valois Paris,
n.d.
Booklet: 68 pages.
1
27
'Washington's Headquarters,' Mabel Lorenz Ives (New Jersey),
n.d.
Pamphlet: 4 pages.
1
28
'The Powel House,' Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
n.d.
Pamphlet: 4 pages.
1
29
'The George Washington: The Most Wonderful Train in the World,' Chesapeake and Ohio Line,
n.d.
Booklet: 16 pages.
1
30
'The George Washington Booklet of Colonial History,' Chesapeake and Ohio Line,
n.d.
Booklet: 64 pages.
Series 2: George Washington Bicentennial Commission Material,
1931-1932
(2 Boxes)
Materials from the federal commission created to commemorate the bicentennial. Organized chronologically.
2
1
'George Washington Pageants and Plays,'
ca. 1931
Booklet: 42 pages.
2
2
'How to Produce a Pageant in Honor of George Washington,'
ca. 1931
Booklet: 34 pages.
2
3
'Honor to George Washington and Reading About George Washington-Pamphlets 1 to 16 Complete,'
ca. 1931
Book (Soft cover): 200 pages.
2
4
'Washington the Man of Mind-Pamphlet Number 2,'
ca. 1931
Pamphlet: 48 pages.
2
5
'Washington the Farmer-Pamphlet Number 4,'
ca. 1931
Pamphlet: 36 pages.
2
6
'Family Relationships of George Washington-Titles of Papers for Program One,'
ca. 1931
Pamphlet: 22 pages.
2
7
'Homes of George Washington-Titles of Papers for Program Two,'
ca. 1931
Pamphlet: 30 pages.
2
8
'Youth and Manhood of George Washington-Titles of Papers for Program Three,'
ca. 1931
Pamphlet: 38 pages.
2
9
'The Mother of George Washington-Titles of Papers for Program Four,'
ca. 1931
Pamphlet: 18 pages.
2
10
'George Washington the Man of Sentiment-Titles of Papers for Program Five,'
ca. 1931
Pamphlet: 18 pages.
2
11
'George Washington the Leader of Men-Titles of Papers for Program Eight,'
ca. 1931
Pamphlet: 18 pages.
2
12
'The Social Life of George Washington-Titles of Papers for Program Nine,'
ca. 1931
Pamphlet: 26 pages.
2
13
'George Washington the Builder of the Nation-Titles of Papers for Program Ten,'
ca. 1931
Pamphlet: 30 pages.
2
14
'George Washington the President-Titles of Papers for Program Eleven,'
ca. 1931
Pamphlet: 42 pages.
2
15
'The Home Making of George and Martha Washington-Titles of Papers for Program Twelve,'
ca. 1931
Pamphlet: 26 pages.
2
16
'Programs and Papers Portraying the Personality, Character, and Achievements of George Washington,'
ca. 1931
Booklet: 58 pages.
2
17
'Programs for Organizations and Lists of Authorities for Reference,'
ca. 1931
Booklet: 48 pages.
2
18
'Programs for the Nation Wide Celebration in 1932 of the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of George Washington,'
ca. 1931
Booklet: 34 pages.
2
19
'Suggested Programs for the Nation Wide George Washington Bicentennial Celebration in 1932,'
ca. 1931
Booklet: 34 pages.
2
20
'Plans for the Nation Wide Celebration of the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of George Washington,'
ca. 1931
Booklets: One version with 40 pages and another with 36 pages.
2
21
'The Educational Views of George Washington,' Walter C. John, with Alma Preinkert,
ca. 1931
Booklet: 32 pages.
2
22
'Handbook of the George Washington Appreciation Course for Teachers and Students,'
ca. 1931
Book (Soft cover): 88 pages.
2
23
'The Music of George Washington's Time,' Walter C. John, with Alma Preinkert,
1931
Book (Soft cover): 106 pages.
2
24
'Sermons on George Washington,'
ca. 1931
Booklet: 70 pages. Includes sermon by Rev. Peter Guilday of Catholic University.
2
25
'George Washington Year by Year,'
ca. 1931
Pamphlet: 16 pages.
3
1
Press Releases of the George Washington Bicentennial Commission (1),
1931
Typescript.
3
2
Press Releases of the George Washington Bicentennial Commission (2),
1931
Typescript.
3
3
Press Releases (Clip Sheets) of the George Washington Bicentennial Commission (1),
1932
Printed.
3
4
Press Releases (Clip Sheets) of the George Washington Bicentennial Commission (2),
1932
Printed.
3
5
Press Releases (Clip Sheets) of the George Washington Bicentennial Commission (3),
1932
Printed.
3
6
Press Releases (Clip Sheets) of the George Washington Bicentennial Commission (4),
1932
Printed.
3
7
'Exhibition of Portraits of George Washington and his Associates, Also a Collection of Washingtoniana,
1932
Booklet: 66 pages.
Series 3: Catholic University of America (CUA),
1927-1934
(1 Box)
Material related to the celebration at CUA including duplicate copies of two administrative files from the records of the CUA president (rector) as well as copies of articles from the campus newspaper and a CUA Press pamphlet about the commemoration.
3
8
George Washington Bicentennial Commission,
1927-1934
Duplicate copy of materials from original file in CUA President (Rector) records, box 70.
3
9
George Washington Bicentennial Mass at Catholic University,
1932
Duplicate copy of materials from original file in CUA President (Rector) records, box 70.
3
10
Articles from the CUA campus newspaper The Tower,
1931-1932
Newspaper.
3
11
'George Washington: His Catholic Friends and Allies,' Rev. Peter Guilday, CUA Press,
1932
Pamphlet: 8 pages.
Series 4: National Catholic Welfare Conference (NCWC) Publications,
1931-1932
(1 Box)
Article by Charles A. McMahon published in the February 1931 issue of the NCWC Review and a booklet issued by the NCWC Department of Education in 1932.
3
12
'The George Washington Bicentennial: Program of the Nationwide Celebration Authorized by Congress for 1932,' Charles A. McMahon, NCWC Review, February 1931,
Magazine Excerpt: 4 pages.
3
13
'George Washington Some Significant Readings and Tentative Program for the Observance of the 200th Anniversary of his Birth, NCWC Department of Education,
1932
Booklet: 130 pages.