Divided Loyalties: Stories of the American Revolution
July 24, 2026 to February 28, 2027 Jepson CenterCelebrations of major historic events tend to bring up familiar stories. In them, heroes, villains, winners, and losers are clearly defined. Historians understand that the truth is often messier than the tales we tell. As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Telfair Museums will feature works from the permanent collection that reveal the complications of living in revolutionary times, especially in Savannah. Portraits from the 18th century put faces to the challenges of this period. While colonial politicians and businessmen were at odds with families, friends, and partners, women made difficult decisions to protect themselves. Meanwhile, people of African and Indigenous descent were left out of critical conversations yet pulled into violent clashes. Additionally, the exhibition will include works from earlier milestones in the 19th and 20th centuries. These examples show how Americans have previously wrestled with the stories of their country’s foundation and questions about its future.
This exhibition is organized by Telfair Museums and co-curated by Dr. Elyse D. Gerstenecker, director of curatorial affairs and curator of decorative arts, and Ahmauri Williams-Alford, assistant curator of historical interpretation, with assistance from Theresa Grohovsky, group tours manager, Harris Hoin, lead interpretive guide, Olli Pamplin, interpretive guide, and Aubree Wimberly, interpretive guide.
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Attributed to Jane Stuart (1812–1888); Portrait of George Washington, c. 1830; oil on canvas; gift of Nancy Liggett, 1981.3
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Ed Ruscha (b. 1937); America Her Best Product, 1975; lithograph on paper; gift of Lorillard, a Division of Loew’s Theatres, Inc., 1977.23 © Ed Ruscha
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Andrea Soldi (1703–1771); Portrait of Sir James Wright, c. 1736–1771); oil on canvas; museum purchase with funds provided by the Critz Family, Diane and Robert Levy, Barbara and Carl Sassano, Bob and Jean Faircloth, Dayle and Aaron Levy, Melissa Parker, Marilyn and Wayne Sheridan, Kimberly and Mark Smith, Swann Seiler, Fran and Hue Thomas, Karen Cassard, Harriett DeLong, Friends of Telfair Museums, and the Jack W. Lindsay Acquisition Endowment Fund, 2016.6
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John Faber Jr. (c. 1684–1756), etcher, After William Verelst (1704–1752), artist; Tomochichi and his nephew, Tooanahowi, 1734; mezzotint on paper; gift of John and Virginia Duncan, 2015.18
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Artist Once Known; Portrait of Susannah Wylly, c. 1802; oil on canvas; bequest of Margaret Screven Duke, OT1964.28
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Colleen Browning (1929–2003); Union Mixer, 1975; lithograph on paper; gift of Lorillard, a Division of Loew’s Theatres, Inc., 1977.26 © Estate of Colleen Browning
