The photo at left is the front of the invitation. Most people will recognize the image of Churchill. It is the famous portrait taken by Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh, at the Parliament Library on 30 December 1941, after Churchill addressed both Houses of the Canadian Parliament. Churchill was asked to wait in the Library to be photographed, after making his speech. He was in no mood to wait. But Karsh thought his expression was perfect.
Churchill had a cigar in his mouth, but Karsh didn't think it suited the solemnity of the occasion. So what did the photographer do? He snatched the cigar out of Churchill's mouth! Churchill's scowl deepened, his head was thrust forward angrily, and he placed his hand on his hip. And this photo became an iconic picture from the Second World War: Churchill represented Britain's determination to fight against Nazi Germany to the death. And in December 1941, Britain was still fighting Hitler alone.
Ironically, in the same photo session, Karsh took another photo of Churchill, in almost the same pose. But in that photo, Churchill is smiling!
My involvement in this exhibition began back in November 2010, when I visited the Churchill Archives Centre, at Churchill College in Cambridge, England. I was invited by Allen Packwood, the Director of the Churchill Archives to visit, and we spent a very interesting few hours. Mr. Packwood showed me some photos and documents in the Archives: family photos of Churchill with his mother, Lady Randolph Churchill (the former Jennie Jerome of Brooklyn, New York) and his brother Jack, and a copy of Churchill's address to the American people on 31 December 1941, while he was staying at the White House meeting with President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
After my tour of the Archives, Mr. Packwood shared with me the initial plans for the exhibition. I had written him before I arrived in the UK, and mentioned that I was doing some initial research on Lady Randolph's father, Leonard Jerome--who was born in the village of Pompey Hill, New York: about an hour's drive from where I live, near Syracuse, New York. Mr. Packwood asked if I would like to be involved in some way with the exhibition. I wouldn't have any Churchill personal artifacts, mind you. But I said I'd be happy to help with anything to do with Churchill's American-born mother, and her background.
In the event, I have provided the exhibition with a Jerome family tree, as it exists here in Upstate New York. Compared with what others are sending for display (written copies of speeches, etc..), it's not much. But that's OK. And as long as it fits the purpose of the exhibition, I'm happy.
It's pretty intimidating, for an insignificant nobody like me, to be invited to this reception. I'm sure there will be Churchill family members present, as well as important people providing documents, and financial support for, the Churchill Archives Centre's work. I'm anxious not to put a foot wrong in any way....just thinking about finding something to wear for it is scaring me to death! Somehow, it feels like Cinderella being invited to the ball.....only I'll still be a 'pumpkin' afterwards.
The days are growing closer for the event. I will be taking the train to New York from Syracuse, and staying in a hotel on Park Avenue not too far from the Morgan Library and Museum. There won't be much time for sight-seeing, as I'll only be in New York less than three days (6-8 June 2012). But one place I will visit is Chartwell Booksellers, on West 52nd Street: a bookshop that sells editions of Churchill's own works--along with probably every book written about Churchill ever. I'll have to resist the temptation to buy anything....
I will describe my experiences at the reception, and in New York City, when I return. I'll be keeping a written diary, to hold onto these experiences forever.
