Fraternity-Testvériség, 1994 (72. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1994-10-01 / 4. szám
FRATERNITY Page 9 KOSSUTH EXHIBITS in WASHINGTON, D.C. T he most loyal keeper of the flame of the “Kossuth Heritage” in the United States and organizer or supporter of Kossuth exhibits in Washington, D.C. has always been the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. The first formal exhibit on Kossuth was held on March 17, 1952, in the newly dedicated office building of the HRFA on 1801 P Street, N.W. Like its previous headquarters at 1726 Pennsylvania Avenue (1937-1950), the HRFA dedicated the new building to and named it after Louis Kossuth, namely the Kossuth House. The exhibit marked the 100th anniversary of the visit of Kossuth to America. It included books by and about Kossuth, portraits, letters, various illustrations on Kossuth’s journey to America in 1851-52, newspaper clippings, art works by Alexander Finta, etc. These items became part of the permanent exhibit of the Kossuth House, and were expanded with other memorabilia through the years. September 19 - end of October, 1958. A large exhibit of more than 100 pieces from the special collections of the Library of Congress, supplemented by items from the “Kossuth House” and some private individuals, was arranged by the U.S. Post Office Department in the Auditorium of the U.S. Department of Interior. The occasion was the issuance of 160 million copies of the 4 and 8 cent “Kossuth stamps” in the “Champions of Liberty” series. 1975-1976: “Second Official Exhibit of the American Bicentennial.” Presented to the public at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C., under the title: “Abroad in America: Visitors to the New Nation, 1776-1914”. A large exhibit on the published impressions of 29 prominent foreign visitors to the “new” United States included a special section on Kossuth’s tour in America, supplemented with several items from the “Kossuth House” collection. March 15-18, 1990: A large Kossuth exhibit was held in the Rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building, presenting a selection of books, prints, maps, etc. related to the history of the Hungarian War of Freedom and Independence from the special collections of the Library of Congress. Some Hungarian collectors of “Kossuthiana” and well-known Hungarian artists contributed to the exhibit also. The occasion was the ceremonial unveiling and acceptance by the U.S. Congress of a bronze bust of Kossuth offered as a gift by the American Hungarian Federation for the Statutory Hall of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. March 15, 1990-November, 1990: A display of Kossuth literature held in the Reading Room of the European Division of the Library of Congress. March 20, 1994: Kossuth exhibit of the HRFA held at the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary, Washington, D.C., in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Kossuth’s death in Turin, Italy, on March 20, 1894. Contributions were by Sándor Bodo and Gabriella Koszorús-Varsa, American Hungarian artists, and Dr. György Csákó, collector of Kossuth memorabilia. This exhibit was meant to be a traveling exhibit, visiting various ethnic communities in the United States. The first Kossuth House in Washington, D.C., 1937-1950
