National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.)

The National Gallery of Art began as a donation from financier, art collector, and Secretary of the Treasury Andrew W. Mellon. Mellon's decision to donate his personal collection and personal funds to construct the museum's building was born of a desire for the United States to have its own national art museum. Today, the original institution has been expanded to include a second building and the famous National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, which was created in partnership with the National Park Service.

The Shaw Memorial

Tell It with Pride: The 54th Massachusetts Regiment and Augustus Saint-Gaudens' Shaw Memorial, unveiled in 1897, is a monument considered by many to be the greatest American sculpture of the 19th century. It celebrates the valiant efforts of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the men of the 54th Massachusetts, the first Civil War regiment of African Americans, who served the North with great distinction.

The exhibit commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Wagner, a milestone event because it proved to all that the African-American regiment was comprised of exemplary soldiers who served with bravery and dedication equal to the nation's most-celebrated heroes. The show included innovative educational opportunities, including school tours for more than 2,500 students and an Evening with Educators workshop for Washington-area teachers.