Thank you to everyone who joined HSP for the 2017 Founder's Award on May 3 at the National Constitution Center. With more than 200 guests in attendance, HSP honored National Book Award Winner James McBride with the Founder’s Award and HSP Board Member Dr. Alice L. George and Library Company of Philadelphia Director Emeritus Dr. John C. Van Horne with the Heritage Award.

From left to right: Charles Cullen, Bruce Fenton, John Van Horne, James McBride, Alice George, Dorothy Mather Ix, and J. Rudy Lewis 

As part of his keynote address, McBride and the Good Lord Bird quintet performed a mix of spirituals and jazz renditions of classic gospel songs as inspired by abolitionist John Brown.

James McBride and the Good Lord Bird Band

During the gala, HSP also unveiled its new exhibit, American Treasures: Documenting the Nation’s Founding, created in collaboration with the National Constitution Center. Founder's Award attendees had an opportunity to take a sneak-peek at the exhibit before it opened to the public. 

We'd also like to thank the Founder's Award Event Chairs, J. Rudy Lewis and Dorothy Mather Ix, as well as the Honorary Co-chairs, Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest.

From left to right: Vikram Dewan, Damaris South, and Barbara Riley

See you next year! 

About the Founder's Award
HSP seeks not only to enrich and maintain the historical record, but also to champion history’s uses and enhance its value to the public. As part of its 175th anniversary celebration, HSP established the Founder’s Award for Exemplary Service to History to recognize leaders in these causes. The medal was commissioned with the assistance of Lea Aspinwall Cadwalader, in memory of her husband John Cadwalader, a longtime HSP councilor. The face of the medal is based on Alexander Milne Calder’s model for the statue of William Penn atop Philadelphia’s City Hall.