2026-07-04
The Smithsonian Institution National Portrait Gallery is exhibiting a new mural to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding and to pay tribute to six individuals who have made significant contributions to American history and culture. The mural was created in collaboration between the museum and Ground Ship Studio, with the artist artistically reinterpreting the portraits of six historical figures in the collection.
1912
One of the figures commemorated in the mural, Juliette Gordon Low, founded the Girl Scouts of the USA in 1912.
1838
One of the figures commemorated in the mural, the abolitionist Frederick Douglass, escaped from slavery in 1838.
1821
One of the figures commemorated in the mural, Sekoya, created the Cherokee heroic script in 1821, establishing a writing system for the Cherokee people.