Monday, February 22, 2010

Washington-Related News Updates

Two bits of George Washington-related news today, on his birthday:

- Mount Vernon has announced a record $38 million gift from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to construct a 45,000-square foot research library, slated to open late next year. The library will be known as the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington.

- Washington College has unveiled the shortlist for the 2010 George Washington Book Prize, a $50,000 award. Contenders are Richard Beeman's Plain, Honest Men: The Making of the American Constitution; R.B. Bernstein's The Founding Fathers Reconsidered; and Edith Gelles' Abigail & John: Portrait of a Marriage.