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The Society of the Cincinnati Library
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 The Society of the Cincinnati
Library collects, preserves, and makes available for
research printed and manuscript materials relating to
the military and naval history of the eighteenth
century, with a particular concentration on the people
and events of the American Revolution. The Robert
Charles Lawrence Fergusson Collection specializes in
works relating to the art of war
in the period, providing context for the achievement of the volunteer American forces and their French allies
in securing the independence of the United States.
Complementing the library's extensive rare book
collection are manuscripts, maps, graphic arts,
and the archives of the Society of the
Cincinnati. In addition, a modern reference
collection supports research on the American
revolutionary period and the history of the
Society of the Cincinnati and its members. |
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The Society of the
Cincinnati Library is located in the Harold Leonard
Stuart Gallery on the lower floor of the Society's
headquarters, Anderson House. The library is open for
research on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Readers are required to register and show photo
identification in order to access the collection. For
appointments and further information about the
library, please call (202) 785-2040, extension 411. |
Collection Highlights
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Art of War Collection
Works on military and naval art and science known to
the American, British, and European officers of the
eighteenth century, including treatises on
fortification and military and naval tactics,
artillery and drill manuals, officers guides, medical
texts, and military histories. The collection includes
numerous sixteenth- and seventeenth-century printed
works, as well as illustrated manuscript art-of-war
texts and a first-edition set of the great compendium
of Enlightenment thought, Diderot's Encyclopedia.
Official Military Documents
Military acts and regulations, including acts and laws
of the Continental Congress and the individual states,
and Ordonnances du Roi of the French army and navy.
Also, British Army Lists spanning the years 1754 to
1800. |
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Contemporary Accounts and Discourses
Contemporary histories, memoirs, political pamphlets,
Loyalist tracts, Indian captivity narratives, sermons,
newspapers, published journals, and other period
publications relating to the era of the American
Revolution. Also, memorial tributes and funeral orations
for participants in the war, including nearly 100 eulogies
on George Washington.
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Manuscripts
More than thirty Continental army orderly books kept
by individual units to direct and document the
day-to-day operations of the army. Also, personal
letters and diaries recorded by participants and
observers of the American Revolution, muster rolls,
military commissions and discharges, widows' claims,
inventories, receipts, and other miscellaneous items.
Archives of the Society of
the Cincinnati
Papers relating to the origins and official
proceedings of the Society of the Cincinnati.
Documents include the founding Institution;
correspondence of George Washington, Henry Knox,
Steuben, Lafayette, and other original members; and
official minute and account books.
Maps
An extensive collection of period maps and battle
plans, including works by William
Faden, Thomas Jefferys, Joseph F.W. Des Barres,
and the firm of John Bennet and Robert Sayer.
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Anderson Family Collection
Material relating to Larz and Isabel Anderson,
whose home, Anderson House House, is now the
headquarters of the Society of the Cincinnati.
Collection includes manuscripts, journals,
inventories, photographs, and sketchbooks, as well as
thirty-five books written by Isabel Anderson. |
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Graphic Arts
Works of art on paper, including engraved portraits of
Revolutionary War officers, satirical prints, battle
scenes, and sketches.
Literature
Drama, poetry, fiction, and children's literature from
the eighteenth century to the present on the theme of
the American Revolution. |
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Modern Reference Collection
Works about the people and events of the era of
the American Revolution published since 1820. These
include biographies, histories, documentary editions,
bibliographies, rosters, encyclopedias and dictionaries,
catalogs, periodicals, microform and audio-visual
materials.
Books by Members of the
Society of the Cincinnati
Works on a variety of subjects written by Society members
since the Eighteenth Century.
Contact the Library
Ellen McCallister Clark, Library Director
Elizabeth Frengel, Manager of Reader Services
The Society of the Cincinnati
2118 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone 202-785-2040 extension 411
Fax 202-785-0729
library@societyofthecincinnati.org
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2005 © The Society of the Cininnati |
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