Friends and colleagues of the National Endowment for the Humanities gathered for an elegant evening of celebration at the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, in Washington, D.C., on November 21, 2019. The night was made possible by the generosity of David Bruce Smith of the Grateful American Foundation, the National Trust for the Humanities, Albert Small, Nora and Bruce James, Carolyn and John Yurtchuk, and Paul Peck.
It was a time to toast the place of the humanities in American culture as well as the accomplishments of four new National Humanities Medalists, and to look forward to how NEH will contribute to the nation’s understanding of its 250th birthday.
“Having traveled to more than 40 U.S. states and territories over the past two-and-a-half years, having seen the value of the humanities constantly, I can attest that someone is always listening to, viewing, or reading work that our agency helped to make possible,” said NEH Chairman Jon Parrish Peede. “As the United States looks toward our 250th anniversary as a nation in 2026, it is critical that our K–12 and higher education systems teach the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and the democratic principles on which our country was founded.”
Members of the National Trust for the Humanities Yvonne Boice, Nora James, and John Yurtchuk (right) with NEH Chairman Peede.
—Cheriss May
Members of the Claremont Institute, which received a 2019 National Humanities Medal, with National Council member Jean Yarbrough (center).
—Cheriss May
NEH Chairman Peede with curator and author Sabiha Al Khemir and chairman of the National Trust for the Humanities, Robert Perry.
—Cheriss May
Guests explore the stunning foyer of the Renwick.
—Cheriss May
National Council on the Humanities members Shelly Lowe and Francine Berman enjoy the gallery’s current exhibitions.
—Cheriss May
Chanis Brown and Elizabeth Quaglieri of NEH.
—Cheriss May
