Lectures and Workshops Explore Aspects of Antique Collecting
Peter J. Gomes.(Courtesy Photo)
The 52nd Alexandria Forum welcomes The Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes of Harvard University as its featured speaker during two days of lectures and workshops exploring the theme of “Coveting, Curating and Collections: The Art of the Public and Personal Museum.”
This annual decorative arts forum kicks off on Friday, September 24, with a gourmet banquet at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 North Royal Street). Enjoy this rare opportunity to hear Reverend Gomes, who serves on the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and on the Faculty of Divinity at Harvard University and is less known for his long-time interest in antiques and collecting. After hearing his personal confession of a half-century of “lusting after” beautiful things, the audience will come to appreciate antiques and collecting in a whole new light. Registration and reception begin at 6:30 p.m. and the dinner begins at 7 p.m.
Then on Saturday, September 25, The Lyceum (201 South Washington Street) hosts a series of lectures from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mount Vernon V.P. for Collections Carol Borchert Cadou will lecture on 150 years of collecting in pursuit of original Washington artifacts, and map expert J.C. McElveen, Jr. will speak on collecting maps in the age of digital mapping. Finally, 19th-century art historian Lance Humphries will discuss Antebellum art collectors and their collections.
After a sumptuous buffet lunch at The Lyceum, The Forum will move to historic Lloyd House (220 North Washington Street). Between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., three interactive workshops on furniture, Canton, and silver will rotate hourly to provide participants with a more intimate setting for asking specific questions relating to the selected topics, or to their own collection pieces in particular.
Advance registration for the Alexandria Forum is required. Admission rates begin at $100 for Saturday’s programs and lunch, $125 for Friday’s dinner and lecture, and $175 for the full Forum. For more information or to register, please visit www.historicalexandria.org or call 703.746.4554.