or the last half of the twentieth century, Paul Mellon was known as one of America's greatest patrons of the arts, a generous benefactor of cultural and educational organizations across the country and beyond. He is perhaps best known for his highly visible support of the National Gallery of Art and similar institutions.

Among his signal achievements, however, was one that eluded general notice, the amassing of a collection of rare books, maps, manuscripts, and drawings relating to the history of the Americas and of Virginia in particular. He bequeathed this fabulous collection to three institutions, Yale University, the University of Virginia, and the Virginia Historical Society. In all, the VHS received nearly 2,000 items, including many rare or unique titles. These constitute the most important gift of its kind in the organization's 170-year history. The new exhibition, Treasures Revealed, presents for the first time more than 100 rare books, manuscripts, prints, and objects from Paul Mellon's extraordinary collection.   Continue

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