MEDIA ADVISORY

The First Show in The Weitzman’s New Special Exhibition Space

When: Wednesday, April 22

• 9:30am – 10am: Remarks and discussion (4th floor)
  • Dan Tadmor, President and CEO, The Weitzman
  • Hon. Alida Francis, Governor, St. Eustatius
  • Josh Perelman, Ph.D., Curator + Senior Advisor for Content and Strategic Projects, leads short discussion with historians: 
    • Drs. Laura Arnold Leibman, the Leonard J. Milberg ’53 Professor in American Jewish Studies, Princeton University
    • Pamela Nadell, the Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women’s and Gender History, American University
    • Jonathan Sarna, the Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History, Director, Schusterman Center for Israel Studies, Brandeis University
  • Kathryn Ott Lovell, CEO, Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation and Philadelphia250
• 10:04: Guests walk down two flights of stairs to second floor, outside of special exhibition space
• 10:05 am: George Washington remarks and 13 Confetti Cannon Salute (led by 13 dignitaries)
• 10:05–10:30 am: Short exhibition highlights tour (feat. letter reading by George Washington in gallery)
• 10:30–11:30 am: Exhibition viewing and interview opportunities with CEO, Curator, Historians, St. Eustatius Governor

Where: The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
101 S Independence Mall E, Philadelphia (5th and Market Streets)

What:  To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History (The Weitzman) will open a landmark semiquincentennial exhibition, and reveal its new special exhibition gallery.

The First Salute is an untold, high-stakes, true story sparked by two key moments on the high seas that helped tip the scales of the American Revolution. Set against the backdrop of the tiny Caribbean island of St. Eustatius, this riveting tale explores how religious liberty, Jewish trade merchants (with Philadelphia connections), and a debt-ridden British admiral converged at a pivotal time in world history, and impacted the trajectory of the American Revolution. Read more.

The exhibition journeys beyond the traditional Revolutionary story by bringing the Atlantic World into view, uncovering vibrant links between Jewish communities in North America and the Caribbean, and illuminating the overlooked people and networks that advanced America’s path to independence.

On November 16, 1776, the first international recognition of the United States took place when the Dutch governor of St. Eustatius – an island with a significant population of Jewish families – returned a cannon fire salute to an American Navy ship entering the island’s harbor flying the Grand Union Flag and carrying the Declaration of Independence. This “First Salute” is an often-forgotten moment in American history, but is celebrated annually on November 16 with pride on St. Eustatius.

This press preview features dignitaries from the island of St. Eustatius and a 13 [confetti] cannon salute in honor of this historical milestone.

This 4,500-square-foot-exhibition will mark the first in the Weitzman’s new special exhibition space on its second floor. This opening will mark a milestone in the Museum’s strategic vision to reimagine its core exhibition and special exhibition schedule.

Tickets and Link.

Press release.

PRESS PHOTOS

Exhibition Photos; Credit lines enclosed

Museum images; Credit lines enclosed

ABOUT THE WEITZMAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY
Established in 1976, and situated on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience. The Weitzman presents educational programs and experiences that preserve, explore, and celebrate the history of Jews in America. Standing as a joyful bulwark against antisemitism, bigotry, and hate, The Weitzman serves to connect Jews more closely to their heritage and to inspire in people of all backgrounds a greater appreciation for the diversity of the American Jewish experience and the freedoms to which Americans aspire. www.theweitzman.org 

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