The facsimiles of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence contained in these shrines are for the practical purpose of permitting close examination and reading of the text and signatures, in many ways clearer in the replicas than in the original documents, which are somewhat faded.

THE STORY OF THE CONSTITUTION

The Story of the Constitution, the chief publication of the Commission during the celebration, contained 192 pages, and was, as its name indicates, a story based upon profound historical scholarship and authoritative value. It explained the origins of our country and what the steps were that led up to the formation of the Constitution. It told what the Constitution stands for, its principles and the means by which it operates. In addition to a wealth of historical data, it contained the text of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, Washington's Farewell Address and also an alphabetical analysis. This work has been incorporated in the present volume.

Copies of this book were placed in special bindings on trains throughout the country and on boats and ocean liners. It was placed on sale for a nominal sum to assist in defraying cost of publication and was made available in drug stores, five-and-ten cent stores, and book stores everywhere. The Story of the Constitution became a standard text in many schools and colleges, and hundreds of thousands of copies were sold and otherwise distributed.

BOY SCOUTS

THE BOY SCOUTS of America held their first National Jamboree in Washington during July 1937. To connect the event with the Sesquicentennial and to emphasize the importance of a knowledge of the Constitution in the training of future citizens, Howard Chandler Christy painted the picture, "The Boy Scout," for the Commission, which, reproduced as a post card, was distributed by many thousands during the encampment. In addition, a special edition of The Story of the Constitution was prepared, containing the Certificate of Patriotic Participation, and a copy was presented to each scout who attended the Jamboree.

SESQUICENTENNIAL HISTORICAL LOAN EXHIBIT

OF SPECIAL INTEREST to the Director General was his plan of holding a loan exhibit of original portraits of the signers of the Constitution, other deputies to the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, signers of the

Declaration of Independence, and their families and associates. This project was a logical development of the program for the study of the Constitution and the events and people connected with its formation and establishment. Necessarily, it was an activity which, from the nature of things, could not be taken to the people in their own homes and communities.

The Art Exhibit which was held in the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C., from November 27, 1937, to February 1, 1938, and then extended by popular demand for another month, was given commodious and attractive housing through the board of trustees of the institution. A distinguished portrait committee of the Sesquicentennial Commission was appointed, with Mrs. McCook Knox as chairman, who, a few years previously had served with distinction in a similar capacity as chairman of the George Washington Bicentennial Historical Loan Exhibit held in the same gallery in the City of Washington.

On previous occasions, notably during the Centennial Celebration of the Inauguration of George Washington as First President of the United States in 1889, and the George Washington Bicentennial Celebration in 1932, exhibits of portraits of George Washington were held, to which portraits of many of his associates were added. However, the Sesquicentennial Exhibit was unique in that it included a large group of persons in various important ways associated in the formation of our Government. It included nearly all of the men who, by their wisdom, courage and foresight, left a political heritage unequaled in all the annals of history; and it was, therefore, particularly fitting that their portraits were assembled during the celebration of the one hundred fiftieth year of their work.

The exhibit was the result of over a year's painstaking work by the Portrait Committee and the Commission's staff. The Commission acknowledges its gratitude and expresses its deep appreciation to the many individuals, museums, historical societies, and patriotic organizations who loaned portraits, and to the members of the Portrait Committee for their invaluable assistance and cooperation. The Commission is especially indebted to Mrs. McCook Knox, chairman of the Portrait Committee, for her time and indefatigable efforts. The Portrait Committee and its chairman served without remuneration. The Commission also tenders its thanks for the invaluable assistance given by Mr. John Hill Morgan, member of the Portrait Committee from New York, Mr. David M. Matteson, the Commission's Historian, who prepared the biographical notes for the exhibit catalogue, and to Mr. Winant Johnston and Mr.

LOAN EXHIBIT

599 Owen Kane of the Commission's staff for their valuable work in preparing for the exhibit.

The Commission also expresses its gratitude to the director and trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art for their hospitality in placing the pictures where they might be seen by the public under the most favorable conditions. It is desired here to record special appreciation to Mr. C. Powell Minnigerode, Director of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, for his unfailing interest and helpfulness in arranging and caring for this loan exhibit of priceless portraits.

OFFICIAL CONSTITUTION SESQUICENTENNIAL MEDALS ONE OF the outstanding observances of the one hundred fiftieth anniversary period was the striking of the official Constitution Sesquicentennial Medals. The designs for these medals were created by Sol Bloom, Director General, with the Bailey, Banks & Biddle Company, of Philadelphia. Two medals were made. The larger is based on a section of the famous painting by Howard Chandler Christy, entitled "We The People," which served as the theme painting of the celebration. The reverse of this medal shows the Capitol Building in the City of Washington, with an arch above formed of the seals of the thirteen original states. Below is the seal of the United States, flanked on the left by Carpenters' Hall and on the right by Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

The badge medal has been acclaimed as the most beautiful of its kind ever designed. In the center of the obverse side is the seal of the United States, encircled by the words, "United States Constitution Sesquicentennial Commission-1787-1937." Fitted into the fluted edges of the medal is an endless triple chain or ribbon on which are inscribed the names of the forty-eight states, and the territories and possessions of the United States. Exquisitely modeled on the reverse side, and encircling a view of Independence Hall, are busts of Washington, Hamilton, Madison, Morris and Pinckney, men who took leading roles in the formation of the Constitution at Philadelphia in 1787.

REPRODUCTION OF OLD MAPS OF THE THIRTEEN

ORIGINAL STATES

THROUGH the cooperation and expert assistance of Colonel Lawrence Martin, Chief of the Division of Maps, Library of Congress, the Commission was enabled to issue a set of eighteen reproductions of

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old maps; for besides those of the thirteen original states at the time of the formation of the Constitution, maps of Maine, Kentucky, Tennessee (former portions of Massachusetts, Virginia, and North Carolina, respectively) are included, as well as two maps of the United States of that period.

An additional map was issued to commemorate the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as the first President of the United States. This map included New York City at the time of Washington's inauguration and also small itinerary maps showing the routes taken by Washington and Adams from Mt. Vernon, Va., and Braintree, Mass., to New York. A reproduction was also included of an old print of the inauguration ceremony which had been used during the Centennial Celebration, fifty years before.

These maps were among the many publications issued by the Commission that proved especially popular in schools, colleges, and historical societies, as well as libraries throughout the country.