The Washingtons of Sulgrave Manor DVD
The National and California Societies actively support fundraising for and the preservation of George Washington’s ancestral home in Northhamptonshire, England. In 2011 a documentary was made of the Washingtons of Sulgrave Manor. This has appeared on PBS and has been made available to California Schools.
Storyline: THE WASHINGTONS OF SULGRAVE MANOR breaks new ground in telling the story of how our country was formed. George Washington was the third generation of his family born in America. Most of us don’t think of the Founding Fathers as immigrants, but surprisingly the Washingtons’ story has much in common with those of other immigrants to America over the last 300 years. The Washingtons were emblematic of their time. As English trade mushroomed, George Washington’s ancestor, Lawrence, became rich. But in the English Civil War, the Washingtons were swept to near ruin. In 1656, George Washington’s great-grandfather John entered the sea trade with the Virginia Colony and … the rest is history. The Washingtons epitomized the people who came, and continue to come, to America.
Written by K. Winber
Available for: $15.00.
The DVD proceeds go towards the preservation of Sulgrave Manor.
DVD’s may be ordered from The Friends of Sulgrave Manor from their website: sulgravemanor.org/page4/index.html
DVD’s may also be purchased at The Octagon House during museum hours.
Sundial in Golden Gate Park
The first project of the California Society was the Sundial in front of the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. In 1907 The NSCDA-CA gave to the city of San Francisco a sundial which they had commissioned M. Earl Cummings, a prominent San Francisco sculptor, to design and execute. It commemorates the first three European navigators of the California coast: Fortuno Jiminez of Spain, 1534, Juan Cabrillo of Portugal, 1543, and Francis Drake of England, 1579. It was placed on the lawn not far from the entrance to the old de Young Museum. It stood for more than 90 years in its original location until placed in storage while the museum was demolished and a new de Young built. In 1995, the Society granted funds to the city for restoration of the sundial and a member partially endowed it. It now stands on the approach to the main entrance of the new de Young. In 2007 The NSCDA-CA celebrated the sundial’s centennial in a ceremony to which the consuls general of Spain, Portugal, and Great Britain and other dignitaries were invited.
The dial is on the flat side of a half globe. On its face are the words HORAM SOLE NOLENTE NEGO (if the sun is unwilling I don’t tell the time) and reliefs of the heads of the three explorers. On the round back of the globe in relief are the continents of North and South America. The sundial stands on the back of a large bronze turtle, which stands on top of a partially fluted marble column about four feet tall. The entire monument is about six feet tall.
