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The George C. Marshall Foundation will host its annual community open house in honor of the 60th anniversary of its construction on Virginia Military Institute post in Lexington on Saturday, May 18, at 1:30 p.m. The Marshall Foundation will highlight the professional and personal relationship between Gen. George C. Marshall and Gen. George S. Patton with a lecture by Patton biographer Dr. J. Furman Daniel and a new display featuring materials and multimedia from their archive.
“I’m excited to show items from the collections that connect Gen. Marshall and Gen. Patton at the open house this year,” said Director of Library and Archives, Melissa Davis. “These two very different men played important roles in history, especially during World War II, and seeing materials from Marshall’s life in context with another well-known historical figure helps us better understand their world. It’s an opportunity to gain insight into major decisions and their outcomes during the war.”
Other offerings include a book signing with Dr. Daniel, behind-the-scenes looks into the Marshall Foundation archives, a family scavenger hunt, and an opportunity to take a photo with the Academy Award for Best Picture, awarded to Marshall aide and confidante Gen. Frank McCarthy for his role as producer on the 1970 movie Patton.
The open house is free and all ages are welcome. However, seating for the lecture is capped at 90. If planning to attend the lecture, please make a reservation by sending email to events@marshallfoundation. org or call (540) 463 7103, ext. 138.
Gen. George C. Marshall is best known for organizing victory in World War II; serving as Secretary of State under President Truman, and later as Secretary of Defense during the onset of the Korean War. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 for his advocacy for the Marshall Plan, an unprecedented humanitarian relief effort that saved Western Europe from economic chaos and prevented it from falling under Soviet control. The George C. Marshall Foundation preserves his legacy through research, digital resources and educational programs. More information about the Marshall Foundation and its programming can be found at its website, www.marshallfoundation. org.
