News from
George C. Marshall's Dodona Manor
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The Doors Are (Even More) Open! |
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Dodona Manor is now open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for walk-in tours! Whether you’ve been planning to visit the house for weeks or happen upon it during a leisurely stroll through downtown Leesburg, you can buy your ticket at the door and step right in for your tour.
In compliance with the rigorous COVID-19 restrictions set at the beginning of the pandemic, we closed our doors last March. But as restrictions gently lifted over the summer, we were quick to adjust our daily museum operations to the new norm. In June, we opened the house for private, prescheduled tours. Visitors bought tickets in advance, arrived masked at their scheduled time and toured the house with only the members of their party and a docent. With this system in place, we’ve kept our doors open during our regular visitation season despite the setback of a global pandemic.
Although the pandemic restrictions limited the number of tours we’ve been able to give this year, we’ve used that time for other priorities. Fewer visitors enabled us to turn much more of our attention toward the house. Our staff and interns put weeks of work into cataloging objects, including all of the books in Marshall’s expansive personal library. We’ve successfully executed several home-improvement projects, including refinishing the Haub Exhibit Room and restoring two original pieces of furniture. Additionally, we installed a new exhibit on Katherine Marshall for visitors to view at the beginning of their tour.
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In true Marshall style, our team has innovated to make the most of these trying times. Now that the doors are fully open, we invite all to visit Dodona Manor and hear the story of the remarkable man who lived there. It will also be gratifying to restore some sense of normalcy to our community after such a challenging year. Come visit us soon! |
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Right off of North Marshall Drive and just south of the Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, VA stands the tower housing the oft-heard Netherlands Carillon. The idea behind the iconic bell tower originated in the 1950s as a gesture of gratitude from the Dutch people for the aid received from the United States during and after World War II. Today, the instrument still stands as symbol of Dutch-American friendship rooted in the principles of freedom, justice and democracy. |
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To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands from occupation ion World War II, the country recently added three new bells to the carillon, one of which is named for George C. Marshall. Weighing 7,595 lbs. with a diameter of almost 6 ft., the Marshall bell is dedicated to the general for leading the Allied victory and spearheading the Marshall Plan after the war. The Netherlands was among the top recipients of Marshall Plan aid that helped rebuild a war-torn Western Europe, and the carillon is one of their most enduring expressions of appreciation for that aid.
The Marshall Center is grateful for such a unique recognition of this remarkable American, and we’re excited to participate in a joint program with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Please join us on Friday, June 4, 12 p.m. ET for the virtual program, “The Marshall of the Netherlands Carillon,” with Marshall Historian Rachel Yarnell Thompson and VU Amsterdam Professor Diederik Oostdijk. Visit our website to register for this event.
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Looking at Katherine's College Years |
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A major highlight from this month was hosting Mary Catherine Santoro as a guest speaker for our first “Grace & Grit” educational program. One of the most valuable resources available to the Marshall Center on the personal and contextual history of Katherine Marshall’s life is Santoro’s piece, “First Lady of the Army: The Life and Times of Katherine Tupper Marshall.” Santoro’s work presents an informative, well-documented study not only of Katherine, but also on how her life compared with that of other women in early and mid-20th century. This proved to be an invaluable resource for our exhibit committee’s work on interpreting and presenting Katherine’s story through archival objects and informational panels.
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On Sunday, May 16, Santoro delivered an engaging program on women’s education during the late-19th and early-20th centuries. Her portrait of academic, social and recreational life at Hollins was animated with excerpts from student publications, accounts of midnight chafing dish feasts and the antics of secret societies. Attendants came away from the program with a fresh view of a key part of Katherine’s story that often goes untold.
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We thoroughly enjoyed this presentation and look forward to offering more
“Grace & Grit” educational programs in the near future.
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One of the ways we honor the memory of Katherine Marshall is maintaining the rose garden she tended and loved during her years here. Our next “Grace & Grit” educational program will highlight this beautiful piece of Dodona’s landscape and consider both the personal and historical significance of these flowers in Katherine’s life.
Join us Sunday, June 13, at 2 p.m. for “Roses: Beautiful and Sustainable.” Shelly Gaskins, President of the Potomac Rose Society and the principal horticulturist in the Smithsonian Institution’s Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden, will present on the rose named for Katherine Marshall, the Peace rose developed during the early years of World War II, as well as how to grow beautiful and sustainable roses in your own garden.
Gaskins’ presentation will be held via Zoom, but we invite guests to join us at Dodona Manor for a group viewing of the presentation, followed by a tour through Katherine’s rose garden with one of our gardeners. We hope to see you online or in person!
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Who Will Command Overlord? |
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David Roll, author of George Marshall: Defender of the Republic, is spearheading the campaign to erect a statue of General Marshall in the U.S. Capitol, and we need your help.
Bluprint recently produced a short video that showcases Marshall’s humility as he navigated President Roosevelt’s decision on who would command Operation Overlord. Everyone knew that the command of the invasion of France was a path to glory, and the video outlines how Marshall took the news that he would remain in Washington.
By sharing this video, you’re sharing the story of a remarkable American who deserves national recognition and commemoration. Enjoy the video and show to any and all!
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On the first Wednesday of the month, the Marshall Center hosts a discussion on a book about a foreign policy topic. We have the next three books lined up, and we can't wait to read and discuss them with you.
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June Foreign Policy Forum:
Partnerships and Alliances as Power Multiplies
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Please join the George C. Marshall International Center (GCMIC) for our next Foreign Policy Forum with author David Rundell who will discuss his book "Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroad” with us. Our host and moderator for the event is Mr. Leslie Janka, Member of the GCMIC Board of Directors.
This complimentary event takes place on the Zoom meeting platform. Please register in advance.
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The George C. Marshall International Center, Inc. brings to life the timeless values of selfless service and unwavering integrity to develop visionary leaders worldwide.
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The George C. Marshall International Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
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