"Timeless Treasures"

The need for such an academy became obvious during the American Revolution when our infant army was forced to rely upon foreign-born militarv officers and engineers.

Beginning in 1796 West Point was the site of a school preparing cadet officers for service in the Regiments of Artillerists and Engineers. The Act of 1802 separated the Artillerists and Engineers creating at the same time the United States Military Academy as an institution.

In its two hundred year history the United States Military Academy has become more than just a school. It is a living American tradition. As it begins its third century the Staff of the West Point Museum presents this exhibition in memory of the many individuals, military and civilian, who have contributed to the West Point story and it's two hundred years of history.

The objects in this exhibition are, unless otherwise noted, from the collections of the West Point Museum. They were chosen by the museum curators, whether "trinket, treasure or trophy," because each has a compelling human story.

The exhibition is divided into three segments: The Corps; The Academy; and The Graduates. "The Corps" illustrates life as a Cadet. "The Academy" explores the various aspects of life at West Point, as student, teacher, soldier or family member. "The Graduates" honors the service and sacrifice of members of the Corps. In each segment the artifacts present the museum visitor witl memorabilia of life at West Point whether as grand as Sylvanus Thayer's presentation sword or as mundane as a toy stuffed mule. Simply stated, the West Point story is the story of innumerable men, women and children who lived here or whose lives were shaped by the West Point experience.

West Point Museum

From its inception the West Point Museum has served both a cadet and public audience. The museum's collections began with captured British cannon and other military trophies brought to West Point after the defeat of British General Sir John Burgoyne's forces at Saratoga in 1777. With the founding of the United States Military Academy in 1802, these collections grew until by the 1820s they constituted an important resource for cadet study and examination.

Following the Mexican War, in 1852, West Point was named the official national repository for war trophies to inspire and educate the young cadets as future defenders of their country." With the influx of cannon and other war trophies from Mexico, in response to a demand for a public museum, the West Point Museum was established in 1854. Since its founding, the museum collections have grown in all areas from arms, uniforms and artillery to the more recent additions of military art, portraiture and significant West Point memorabilia.Today the West Point Museum is known as the oldest and largest public collection of diversified militaria in the Western Hemisphere.

Acknowledgements

The cooperative production effort behind Timeless Treasures is a credit to numerous groups and individuals. It is with sincere gratitude that recognition is offered on the occasion of the exhibition opening.

The Bicentennial Steering Committee, under the leadership of William Raiford, has nurtured the exhibit with important attention over the many years of planning from its Art Committee Chair, Tom Barron. Without the financial generosity of Tom Petrie, the exhibition would not have occurred; his support of the West Point Museum is key to this exhibition. The Olmsted Foundation, originally chartered by Major General George H, Olmsted, a key donor to the West Point Museum, has funded the publication of Timeless Treasures. Executive vice-president Larry Marsh's support has been exemplary as the Foundation continues to watch over its long-term interest in the West Point Museum. To all of these individuals we offer our sincere thanks.

A staff must be in place to accomplish all good plans. The West Point Museum is indeed fortunate to have such a gifted group of dedicated individuals. The lead role by David M. Reel, Curator of Art, along with Michael J. McAfee, Curator of History, conceptualized and guided the exhibition to its completion. Jointly, they have seen it through the many phases so invisible but necessary for success. Their work is a commendable example of organization which demonstrates a strong understanding of West Point history. Exhibition detailing from Richard H Clark, Curator of Design was a painstaking and often a one-man process, with the highest of design standards always in place. The conservation of such a large collection and installation effort fell to Taul Ackermann, Museum Conservator. As a team, each of these individuals worked well to provide an exhibition for West Point's Bicentennial to inform and enchant the many visitors who will come to the Academy during the celebration.

Special exhibitions such as Timeless Treasures strengthen the ability of the museum to educate and inspire its many visitors with objects not regularly on display. This bicentennial exhibition presents the West Point story through artifacts belonging to individuals who studied, worked or lived at the United States Military Academy. It is hoped that many visitors will recognize and remember fondly some of the names and traditions highlighted in Timeless Treasures: 200 Years of West Point Memories.

I thank Victoria Best and the staff members at the Association of Graduates as well as Colonel Pat Kane and his staff in the Bicentennial Office for their untiring support. Don Troiani deserves our thanks for his personal loan to the exhibition, and to LTC David Deitrick and the West Point Band we applaud your spirited musical support of the exhibition opening. Finally, a concluding thanks is in order to the full staff of the museum for bringing Timeless Treasures into public view.

Michael E Moss
Director
West Point Museum
October 1, 2001