NEW YORK, NY.- Coinciding with the upcoming presidential inauguration and an increased interest in the American political process, the New-York Historical Society―the oldest museum in New York City―will launch The Presidency Project, a Museum-wide educational initiative that explores the role, powers, and responsibilities of the presidency. The Presidency Project aims to survey, examine, and celebrate the U.S. Constitution and the U.S. presidency through objects from the first inauguration in 1789, historical documents about the presidency from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and New-York Historical’s collection, engaging conversations with historians and renowned public figures, weekly quiz challenges, family programs, and historical reenactors portraying U.S. presidents.

“As Justice Sandra Day O’Connor reminds us, the practice of democracy is something that must be taught and learned by each generation of citizens,” says Dr. Louise Mirrer, president and CEO of the New-York Historical Society. “The Presidency Project is part of our effort to meet the critical task of educating the public about democracy, government, and the constitutional rules by which our country operates. Our goal is to encourage citizens to be well-informed and engaged, and to take their civic responsibility seriously.”

Messages for the President-Elect
Through Inauguration Day, January 20, 2017, visitors to the New-York Historical Society can add their words to Messages for the President-Elect, a special installation on view in the Museum’s glass entryway on Central Park West. Inspired by the Subway Therapy project, the sticky notes posted at the Museum will become a part of New-York Historical’s permanent collection, along with the thousands of Subway Therapy notes recently collected from Manhattan’s Union Square subway station, following a partnership between artist Matthew “Levee” Chavez, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and the NYC Metropolitan Transit Authority to preserve reactions to the 2016 election.

Historical Objects and Documents on View
A special installation will recreate the setting of the first inauguration when George Washington took the oath of office in New York City on April 30, 1789, uttering for the first time the words that every succeeding president would recite: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” On display will be an original piece of wrought-iron railing from Federal Hall that ornamented the second-story balcony where Washington took the oath of office. Also on view will be the mahogany chair Washington sat in before he delivered his inaugural address to Congress as well as a printed copy of his speech. Families can step into a mural of Washington at Federal Hall and take the oath of office in the DiMenna Children’s History Museum.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute will present a selection of documents that explore important moments in the presidencies of Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. On view will be a manuscript draft of Washington’s Sixth Annual Address to Congress in 1794, a printed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln, and a letter from 1942 in which FDR affirms that “questions of race, creed and color have no place in determining who are to man our ships.” Accompanying the documents will be a portrait of Washington by Rembrandt Peale, a photograph of Lincoln taken by George B. Ayres in 1860, and a sketch of FDR by the Indian artist S. N. Swamy.

In the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, documents from New-York Historical’s collection will focus on the creation of the presidency and executive branch of government. On view will be notes from the Rufus King Papers, one of the few extant collections of notes on the Constitutional Convention debate, in which delegates discussed the nature of the proposed executive branch in 1787; a letter written by John Adams in 1789 in which he voices concerns about the remaining presence of “a dangerous Aristocracy” in the new government; and a letter from Washington responding to Robert R. Livingston’s request for an appointment to the first cabinet in 1789.

We the People Special Installation
Artist Nari Ward will be on site at New-York Historical creating a new artwork, titled We the People (N-YHS Version), using hundreds of shoelaces to spell out the opening line of the preamble of the U.S. Constitution. We the People explores how the art object can serve to call attention to our shared connection to American history as well as issues of identity and politics that remain relevant in this country today. By enlarging this powerful phrase, Ward asks the viewers to contemplate its meaning in order to examine the legal and emotional implications associated with the rights of a U.S. citizen. Museum visitors and school children from across the city are encouraged to donate shoelaces for the project. Between now and February 1, visitors who donate their shoelaces will receive a new pair and discounted Museum admission. Visitors will also be encouraged to complete the sentence “We the people…” and add to a Preamble Wall, in place from February 20–26. From February 20–24, visitors can watch the artist and his team at work before the completed piece is unveiled on February 25.