Westerly, Rhode Island... Washington Trust, Rhode Island’s largest independent bank and the oldest community bank in the United States, is sponsoring the traveling panel exhibit, “The Many Faces of George Washington.” The exhibit is hosted by the Newport Historical Society and will run June 25th – July 9th from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM at the 1739 Colony House in Newport, Rhode Island, a spot Washington visited several times during and after the Revolutionary War. A highlight of the tour will be a special event during Newport’s Fourth of July celebration in which a special reading of the Declaration of Independence will take place from the steps of the Colony House—the same place where it was originally read in July 1776.
“President Washington is our namesake, so we’re thrilled to bring the Washington exhibit to Rhode Island,” stated Joseph J. MarcAurele, Washington Trust Chairman, President, and CEO. Washington Trust was founded in Westerly, Rhode Island on August 22, 1800 and was named in honor of President Washington, who died in December 1799. Washington Trust also believes to be the first to print the likeness of President Washington on currency, as the Bank printed its own banknotes in 1800 with Washington’s profile, before there was national currency.
The exhibit presents the many different faces of George Washington’s leadership as a general, statesman, farmer and visionary entrepreneur through color graphics of paintings, photographs and iconic objects from the Mount Vernon collections. It explores the breadth of Washington’s leadership abilities, touches upon his well-known achievements, and also highlights many of his accomplishments that prove to be both surprising and fascinating.
“This exhibit is a perfect fit for the mission of the Newport Historical Society – which is to educate people about American history and Newport’s important role in it,” said Ruth Taylor, Executive Director of the Newport Historical Society. “Washington Trust is an important part of Rhode Island’s history and we are pleased to celebrate their relationship with the first president as we bring this exhibit to Newport’s residents and visitors.”
The exhibit is scheduled to be opened for viewing at the Colony House in Newport every day from June 25th – July 9th from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. During those times tickets can be purchased at the Colony House for $6.00. In addition, the exhibit will also be viewable during the last week of June and through the month of July for those who sign up for the regularly scheduled Colony House / Wanton Lyman Hazard House tour, offered every Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11:30 AM. Tickets for the tour are sold at the tour departure point, the Museum & Shop at the Brick Market, 127 Thames Street, Newport, (401) 841-8770 and are $12, however during the exhibit run, for just the Colony House portion it is $6. For additional information on “The Many Faces of George Washington” Traveling Panel Exhibit please visit Newport Historical Society’s website at www.newporthistory.org or contact NHS at (401) 846-0813.
The Washington Trust Company is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., a $2.9 billion corporation headquartered in Westerly, Rhode Island. Founded in 1800, Washington Trust is the oldest community bank in the nation and is the largest independent bank headquartered in Rhode Island. A state-chartered bank, Washington Trust offers a full range of financial services, including business banking, personal banking, and wealth management and trust services through its offices located in Rhode Island, Southeastern Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Corporation's common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Select® Stock Market under the symbol WASH. Web site address: www.washtrust.com.