DENVER —“I am of a sect by myself, as far as I know,” wrote President Thomas Jefferson, who, while living at Monticello in 1820 after serving two terms as president, assembled a handmade book that reflects his personal religious and moral philosophy—known today simply as “Thomas Jefferson’s Bible.”

History Colorado has partnered with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to bring Thomas Jefferson’s Bible, a rare national treasure and masterful conservation story, to Denver.

The History Colorado Center will host Jefferson’s Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth, March 22 through May 27, 2013. This special limited-engagement viewing offers an intimate window into Jefferson’s extraordinary mind. Visitors also explore the story behind the intensive effort undertaken by Smithsonian conservators to preserve this fragile, yet remarkable, piece of American history.

By cutting excerpts from four translations—English, French, Latin and Greek—of the Four Gospels, Jefferson sought to tell a chronological and distilled version of Jesus’ life and moral teachings. Created to aid the third U.S. president and Declaration of Independence author’s reading and reflection, the resulting work represented a meeting of Enlightenment thought and Christian tradition as imagined by one of the great thinkers of early America.

“Making this historic treasure publicly accessible was a key goal behind its conservation, and we are so pleased to lend it to History Colorado, a Smithsonian Affiliate institution, so we can share it with History Colorado Center audiences in Denver,” said Harry Rubenstein, curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

In Jefferson’s Bible, visitors will see Jefferson’s handmade and meticulously conserved volume, together with two English editions of the New Testament that Jefferson used to excerpt passages, and a copy of the 1904 U.S. Government Printing Office edition of the book. Clips from the Smithsonian Channel documentary, Jefferson’s Secret Bible, about the book’s history and conservation, will be on view.

“We are delighted to partner with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to bring such a fascinating and rare item from our nation’s past to the History Colorado Center to share with the public,” said Ed Nichols, President & CEO of History Colorado. “Given the specialized light, temperature and humidity controls required to put this book on display, this is a prime example of the capabilities the new History Colorado Center provides when objects of such importance are put in our trust.”

“As we approach the first anniversary of the opening of the History Colorado Center, it’s fitting to host such a significant national story and a wonderful opportunity to spark greater interest and engagement in history,” said Dr. William J. Convery, History Colorado’s Director of Exhibits and Interpretation and State Historian.

History Colorado staff have developed a variety of special programs so visitors have opportunities to delve even deeper. Programs that highlight the history of the book and the man who made it will be offered at the History Colorado Center from March through May, and can be found online at www.HistoryColorado.org/calendar.

Specific light, temperature and humidity controls are required to maintain the book’s integrity. For visitors interested in reading the complete text assembled by Jefferson, The Jefferson Bible, Smithsonian Edition, is a full-color facsimile created from high-resolution digital photographs that includes all four languages and Jefferson’s handwritten notes, and is on sale at the History Colorado Center gift shop ($35).

Funding to bring Jefferson's Bible to the History Colorado Center was provided by the Grant family, the Private Client Reserve of U.S. Bank, Monticello Associates, Inc. and contributions to the Make History Colorado! capital campaign.

Jefferson’s Bible is included in the cost of a general admission ticket. The History Colorado Center, located at 1200 Broadway in Denver, is a Smithsonian Affiliate museum.

Media Access/Images

·       All press requests to visit the History Colorado Center and permission to publish Jefferson’s Bible images should be directed to Rebecca Laurie, Rebecca.laurie@state.co.us, (303) 866-3670.

·       All media inquiries about the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History should be directed to Valeska Hilbig, hilbigv@si.edu, 202-633-3129.

·       Online Resources: Learn more about the conservation effort at http://americanhistory.si.edu/JeffersonBible/, or attend one of the History Colorado Center’s special programs listed on the History Colorado calendar. A complete list of Jefferson’s Bible programs can also be found by downloading this pdf. 

Snapshot

What: Jefferson’s Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth. See the original book Thomas Jefferson made that reflects his personal religious and moral philosophy. This rare national treasure, on loan from the collections of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, offers an intimate window into Jefferson’s extraordinary mind. Visitors also explore the story behind the intensive effort undertaken by Smithsonian conservators to preserve this fragile, yet remarkable, piece of American history and make it accessible to the public.

When: March 22 through May 27, 2013

Where: History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver

Cost and Information: General admission – for tickets and visitor information, see HistoryColoradoCenter.org or call (303)-HISTORY. Special programs are available, see website for calendar of events.

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History Colorado connects people to the stories, places and heritage of Colorado's past that provide perspectives on today and inspire our choices for tomorrow. Through exhibits, collections, educational experiences, and archaeology and historic preservation programs throughout the state, History Colorado brings history to life for audiences of all ages. Headquartered in the History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203 in Denver's Golden Triangle Museum District, find us at Facebook.com/HistoryColorado, and on Twitter @HistoryColorado, #COHistory and #PreserveCO. Visit HistoryColorado.org or call (303)-HISTORY for more information. History Colorado is a Smithsonian Affiliate.

The National Museum of American History collects, preserves and displays American heritage in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. To learn more about the museum, check http://americanhistory.si.edu

Media Contact: Rebecca Laurie

Rebecca.laurie@state.co.us, 303-866-3670