The popular mythology of George Washington receives a thorough infusion of fact in a revolutionary new museum exhibit running through January 22, 2012, at the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History.

 

The exhibition transcends dollar-bill iconography to reveal George Washington as not only a soldier and politician but also a land surveyor, a farmer of scientific inclinations and an aggressive entrepreneurial businessman. The show also explores Washington’s views on religion and slavery, in addition to the influence of his wife, Martha Washington. Life-size figures of Washington, developed through forensic science, combine with video productions, historic artifacts, intricate architectural models and interactive displays.

 

Discover the Real George Washington is presented in 11 sections, ranging from Washington’s youth to his final days. Artifacts include paintings, books, maps, surveying equipment, Revolutionary War armaments, tools used by slaves, and presidential table settings. Mrs. Washington is represented by original jewelry, pieces of china, silver, and glassware, and reproductions of her gold wedding dress and purple satin slippers. An indicator of popular appeal lies in the knowledge that more than a million people visit Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, Va., every year.

 

The visiting exhibition marks a milestone in the steady emergence of the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History as a national attraction.

http://www.fortworthmuseum.org