The Facts
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is highlighting a brass candle stand used by George Washington while writing his “Farewell Address” in 1796. The artifact, part of the museum’s collection, was sold by the Lewis family—descendants of Washington’s nephew Lawrence Lewis and Nelly Custis Lewis—to the U.S. government in 1878, then transferred to the Smithsonian in 1883. Washington’s address was published in September 1796, timed to allow others to declare their candidacies before the presidential election on Nov. 4, 1796. The museum’s spotlight comes as the nation approaches the 230th anniversary of the address’s publication.
The Signal
The candle stand offers a tangible link to a pivotal moment in American political history, when Washington chose to step down after two terms, setting a precedent for peaceful transfer of power. For collectors and historians, such relics humanize the founding era, connecting modern audiences to the daily realities of figures like Washington. The Smithsonian’s emphasis on this object underscores its role in preserving artifacts that illuminate the nation’s founding principles, a timely reminder of the address’s enduring relevance amid contemporary debates about unity and democracy.
- People: George Washington, Eleanor “Nelly” Custis, Lawrence Lewis, Nelly Custis Lewis, John Adams
- Museums: Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
- Locations: Washington, D.C.
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