The rescue of Gilbert Stuart's Washington: Decendants of a slave see the painting he saved
- August 25, 2009 12:15
Washington, D.C. - During the War of 1812, on Aug. 24, 1814, British troops set fire to the White House. Before they did, Paul Jennings, who was born into slavery at Montpelier, James Madison's Virginia mansion, helped save a now-famous portrait of George Washington, painted by Gilbert Stuart. Tradition has often stated that Dolly Madison sent the picture to safety. Recently, Jenning's decendants were invited to the White House to view the painting together.
