Museums Page - March 2008
American Presidents: Life Portraits
Traveling Exhibit Co-sponsored by the White House Historical Association and C-SPAN
Location: American Presidents Museum, 2849 Gretna Rd, in the Old Majestic Steakhouse building, Branson
The American Presidents Museum in Branson is a good place to visit. The Director, Stormy Snow, gives a wonderful guided tour of a creatively-designed museum environment that includes a simulation of the Oval Office. Stormy's museum gift shop is also stocked with loads of interesting items related to the American Presidents and their families.
On display now through May 1 is a special touring exhibit, American Presidents: Life Portraits. The exhibit features the only complete collection of American presidential oil portraits by one artist, renowned painter and sculptor, Chas Fagan. Accompanying the Fagan portraits are biographical sketches of all 43 presidents, photographs contributed by the White House Historical Association that capture each president’s time in the White House, as well as historic front pages of American newspapers announcing presidential election results.
C-SPAN commissioned the North Carolina artist to create these portraits in 1999 to complement C-SPAN’s Peabody Award-winning television series, American Presidents: Life Portraits. The exhibit debuted in Washington, DC in September 1999 and since then has traveled the country providing historical perspective on the presidency. After spending the winter months undergoing a complete renovation, the all new exhibit, now with eighteen audio stations, is making its debut in Branson.
Suddenlink, a C-SPAN board member company, carries C-SPAN programming as a public service in Branson. Suddenlink’s affiliate fees help support C-SPAN operations, including this exhibit.
ABOUT C-SPAN
C-SPAN, the political network of record was created in 1979 by America’s
cable companies as a public service. C-SPAN is currently available in approximately
92.3 million households, C-SPAN2 in 85.3 million households and C-SPAN3 in 15
million households nationwide. For more information about C-SPAN, visit its website
at www.c-span.org.
ABOUT WHHA
The White House Historical Association, a non-profit organization was
created in 1961 to enhance understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the White
House. The association sponsors lectures, exhibits and other outreach programs. Schools,
universities and libraries receive free educational materials about the White
House. Traveling exhibits and videos are circulated to the presidential
libraries and museums around the country.
ABOUT AMERICAN PRESIDENTS MUSEUM
The American Presidents Museum
is the collections management arm of the National Center for Presidential Studies,
a non-profit educational organization created to preserve the story of American
History and the history of the American Presidents. The museum is home
to over 5000 artifacts, documents and photographs, many showcased in displays
depicting periods of American History, and a replica Oval Office.
Field trips and youth groups are encouraged to visit during this special exhibit, and educational support materials are available. Contact the museum at 417-334-8683 or visit the website at www.americaspresidency.com. Museum hours are Tuesday - Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM and the museum is located at 2849 Gretna Rd, in the Old Majestic Steakhouse building.
