Doylestown, PA, March 2, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- One of America's foremost History Detectives, Tom Lingenfelter, has announced an upcoming exhibition of two recently discovered documents from the 1700s. Lingenfelter, long acknowledged as one of the country's leading authenticators of rare historical documents, made headlines recently when he revealed his discovery of what is now known to be the only True Copy of the Original Declaration of Independence. Lingenfelter has unearthed two more documents significant to United States history: the "Birth Certificate" of the U.S. Constitution and a schoolboy drawing signed by a 10-year-old George Washington. Both documents will be exhibited at the historic Moland House located at 1641 Old York Road in Hartsville, PA on Sunday, March 11, 2012 from 1 pm until 4 pm.
The significance of the "Birth Certificate" of the Constitution is unparalleled. With only three known copies in existence, this printed copy of the "Resolve of Congress of September 28, 1787" authorized the release of the Constitution to the thirteen original states. "The Resolve" told the states that Congress in New York had "Resolved Unanimously" to transmit the new Constitution to the state conventions for their approval. This official resolution, with the appearance of the total agreement, was the defining moment in the birth of the Constitution.
When asked about the significance of the document, Lingenfelter said, "The excitement surrounding this document increased when further research revealed that this "Resolve of the Congress" made the ratification of the U.S. Constitution possible. In the chronology of the Constitution, this copy of the "Resolve of Congress of September 28, 1787" serves as the 'Birth Certificate' of the Constitution; the subsequent ratification process became the infant’s challenge for survival. The Constitution has been maturing ever since, surviving attacks from all directions."
The second document in Lingenfelter’s March 11 exhibit is his discovery of a childhood drawing by a 10-year-old George Washington. Making recent headlines on History.com and in numerous publications across the country, the detailed drawing of a two-masted sailing vessel includes young George’s autograph along with the date of March 12, 1742. Measuring approximately 5" by 7", the drawing and accompanying signature and date can be described as clumsy and self-conscious but well observed. It is evident that at 10 years of age, Washington, even without any real knowledge of rigging or sail mechanics, had a keen sense of detail. Drawn with sepia ink on laid paper, the drawing is the earliest surviving document by Washington. Lingenfelter has had this document subjected to a thorough physical and chemical forensic examination to further corroborate its authenticity.
Tom Lingenfelter, a lifetime historian and collector, learned his trade as a Special Agent for USA Counter-Intelligence and has dealt in rare and authentic documents for over 35 years. Lingenfelter will present discussions on both documents during the Moland House exhibit. Also speaking will be Ed Lengel, Editor-in-Chief of the Papers of GeorgeWashington and Professor at the University of Virginia. Lengel is the author of This Glorious Struggle: George Washington’s Revolutionary War Letters published by HarperCollins.
The Moland House, located at 1641 Old York Road in Hartsville, PA, served as George Washington’s Headquarters from August 10 through August 23, 1777 during the Neshaminy encampment of 11,000 troops. Moland House was where the Marquis de Lafayette functioned for the first time as Major General at the Council of War and Count Casimir Pulaski of Poland met Washington for the first time. It is said that the American Flag was first flown on the property. Lingenfelter’s exhibit will be held on Sunday, March 11, 2012 between 1 pm and 4 pm. For more information, contact Tom Lingenfelter at 215.230.5330 or via e-mail at Tom@heritagecs.com.