Presidents' Day Celebrated Through Photographic Depictions of Founding Fathers' Legacies
A collection of 15 photographs commemorates Presidents' Day by depicting sites and monuments associated with early U.S. presidents. The images include landmarks like Mount Rushmore, the Washington Monument, and historic residences such as Monticello and Mount Vernon. The holiday, originally marking George Washington's February 22 birthday, became official in 1885 and was expanded in 1971 to honor all presidents. Many photographs acknowledge the complex histories of these sites, including references to enslaved laborers who worked at presidential estates. The visual survey spans locations from Washington, D.C. to South Dakota, with images captured between 2007 and 2025.
Key facts
- Presidents' Day originated as George Washington's birthday observance on February 22
- The federal holiday was established in 1885 and expanded in 1971 to honor all U.S. presidents
- Photographs depict monuments including Mount Rushmore, Washington Monument, and Jefferson Memorial
- Historic sites featured include Monticello, Mount Vernon, and Montpelier
- Several images reference the enslaved people who lived and worked at presidential estates
Entities
Artists
- Roland Michelman
- John Williams
- Peter Alessandria
- Daniel Hamburg
- Matt Halvorson
- Justin Lagace
- Jeff Nesmith
- Kristina Bumphrey
- Donna Van Horn
- John Rakis
- Stanley Kulp
- Paula Cabrera De Silva
- George Marchant
- Victoria Najafi
- Robert Mooery
Institutions
- Smithsonian magazine
- Library of Congress
- National Historic Landmark
Locations
- Washington, D.C.
- Virginia
- New York
- South Dakota
- Philadelphia