If you’re going to be in Philadelphia in the next two months I highly recommend To Bigotry No Sanction: George Washington and Religious Freedom at the National Museum of American Jewish History. The exhibit explores faith and freedom in early America, using a stunning collection of documents and artifacts, including Washington’s famous 1790 letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, R.I., which hasn’t been publicly exhibited in decades.

I’m proud that this fascinating exhibit also includes one of our most important Washington letters, along with two important documents we acquired for clients (and for which we arranged loans):

• Washington’s “Throne of Grace” letter shines light on his vision for America. In one of his earliest presidential letters, Washington thanks two ministers for pledging to pray for him and the nation.
• The official July, 1776 broadside of the Declaration of Independence, printed for the Council of Massachusetts, which ordered that “every town may have them publicly read in each religious assembly.”
• A momentous issue of the Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser, in which the full text of the new Constitution was first presented to the public on September 19, 1787. This rare newspaper is regarded as the first public printing, as well as the first newspaper printing, of this fundamental American document.

The exhibition runs until September 30, 2012. Click here to order tickets.