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Oct. 7, 2003
George Washington or Bust
GW Donates Bust of George Washington to Historic Mount
Vernon Estate
The University donated a four-foot high bronze bust
of George Washington to Historic Mount Vernon. The bronze sculpture, which
was unveiled at Mount Vernon Sept. 15, was originally a gift to the University
from the family of the bust’s sculptor, Avard Fairbanks.
“I am confident that President Washington would be pleased at the
accomplishments of the University that proudly bears his name,” said
President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg. “It is with equal pride, then,
that the University offers to Mount Vernon this bust of President Washington.”
Fairbanks began modeling his bust of George Washington in clay in 1975
in preparation for nation’s bicentennial. While the bust is
an original composition, Fairbanks created it based on his knowledge of
many historic portraits of Washington. The bronze sculpture was first
located at the Salt Lake City International Airport, but was later moved
to GW’s campus. Since then, three additional busts have been
added to the campus. The four busts of George Washington were donated
to the University by Fairbanks’ son and daughter-in-law, David N.F.
Fairbanks and Sylvia West Fairbanks.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu
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