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T
he U.S. Capitol Historical Society
augmented its annual August series of
brown bag lectures with additional events
in June and July. David S. (retired from
Colorado State University) and Jeanne T.
Heidler (senior civilian faculty member of
U.S. Air Force Academy's history depart-
ment) began the summer with a June 2 dis-
cussion and book signing of their recent
work, Washington's Circle: e Creation of
the President. eir presentation focused
on George Washington's standardization
of social gatherings during his presidency,
one of the elements involved in the practi-
cal creation of the presidency.
Debra Hanson (VCUQatar) gave the
Capitol-focused August series an early
start with a July 29 lecture in the Russell
Senate Caucus Room about the various
portrayals of George Washington in art-
work in the Capitol's Rotunda, including
Constantino Brumidi's e Apotheosis of
Washington. Amy Burton and Christiana
Cunningham-Adams presented a two-week
mini-series on the landscape medallions
in the Brumidi Corridors. On August
5, Burton, from the Office of the Sen-
ate Curator, discussed her discovery of
the source material for the medallions:
reports on possible transcontinental rail-
road routes produced for Congress in
the mid-nineteenth century. e follow-
ing week, Cunningham-Adams, from the
Office of the Architect of the Capitol,
discussed painting conservation generally
and the landscape medallions specifically,
including before and aer pictures of one
medallion that had been overpainted with
an entirely different scene. In the final talk
of the summer on August 26, Curator
for the Architect of the Capitol Barbara
Wolanin discussed her recent research
on the friendship between Constantino
Brumidi and Justin Morrill, a representa-
tive and senator from Vermont, which
highlights the paintings Brumidi did for
Morrill's homes and suggests that Morrill's
ideas influenced Brumidi's work.
On August 19, Ron Duquette, an his-
torical interpreter, presented information
on the War of 1812, the Treaty of Ghent,
and the early Treasury Department in the
person of Albert Gallatin. Gallatin was
one of the negotiators of the Treaty of
Ghent aer serving in the House and as
secretary of the Treasury.
Most of the lectures aired on C-SPAN
in the fall of 2015. Go to www.c-span.org
and search for "U.S. Capitol Historical
Society" to find these and other USCHS
events. Stayed tuned to the calendar and
announcements at www.uschs.org for the
latest news on 2016 events.
Summer Lectures
Third Chief of Staff Event Features Rick Murphy, Chief of Staff to Senator Kelly Ayotte
S
enator Kelly Ayotte's (R-NH) chief of staff, Rick Murphy, was the U.S. Capitol Historical Society's honored guest at the
annual Congressional Staff event on September 16. Murphy joined members of the USCHS Constitution Signers and Leadership
Council for lunch in Express Scripts's lovely space overlooking the Capitol. Murphy provided sincere and thoughtful remarks on his
commitment to public service, including to Senator Ayotte's constituents and to the senator herself.
Murphy's comments emphasized his commitment to public service aer spending 15 years in the private sector and made Society
staff recall the Honorable Lee Hamilton's keynote address at our 2003 dinner honoring the staff directors of the committees of the
U.S. House of Representatives. Hamilton said, "Your public service gives you a stimulating, proud and lively career….I hope you feel
that by working in the Congress you are given the unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people and the great affairs
of this nation."
USCHS wishes to thank Express Scripts for generously hosting and exclusively supporting this event.
Phil Park (Altria), Rick Murphy (Office of
Senator Kelly Ayotte), and Megan Hauck
(Nathanson+Hauck)
Ann Taylor (Sanofi) listens thoughtfully
as Angela Song (Express Scripts) looks on.
Jonah Houts (Express Scripts) and Rick Murphy share
a laugh.
Ron Duquette as Albert Gallatin Jeanne and David Heidler Amy Burton