For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

The Department has collections of art objects, furnishings, books, and buildings that are considered heritage or multi-use heritage assets. These collections are housed in the Diplomatic Reception Rooms, senior staff offices in the Secretary's suite, offices, reception areas, conference rooms, the cafeteria and related areas, and embassies throughout the world. The items have been acquired as donations, are on loan from the owners, or were purchased using gift and appropriated funds. The assets are classified into six categories: the Diplomatic Reception Rooms, Art Bank, Art in Embassies, Curatorial Services Program, Library Rare & Special Book Collection, and Secretary of State's Register of Culturally Significant Property. Items in the Register of Culturally Significant Property category are classified as multi-use heritage assets due to their use in general government operations.

Diplomatic Reception Rooms

Under the management of the Curator's Office, the Diplomatic Reception Room collection is comprised of museum-caliber American furnishings from the 1750 to 1825 period. These items are used to decorate the Diplomatic Reception Rooms located on the 8th floor of the Department of State, as well as 19 offices on the 7th floor used by the Secretary of State and the Secretary's senior staff. These items have been acquired through donations or purchases funded through gifts from private citizens, foundations, and corporations. Tax dollars have not been used to acquire or maintain the collection.

Thomas Jefferson State Reception Room. Photo: Richard Cheek

Art Bank

The Art Bank was established in 1984 to acquire artworks that could be displayed throughout the Department's offices and annexes. The works of art are displayed in staff offices, reception areas, conference rooms, the cafeteria, and related public areas. The collection consists of original works on paper (watercolors and pastels) as well as limited edition prints, such as lithographs, woodcuts, intaglios, and silk-screens. These items are acquired through purchases funded by contributions from each participating bureau.

Volkwup Wertzel (clockwise from top left) U.S. Capitol, The Washington Monument, Q Street Bridge, Pennsylvania Avenue

Rare & Special Book Collection

In recent years, the Library has identified books that require special care or preservation. Many of these publications have been placed in the Rare Books and Special Collections Room, which is located adjacent to the Reading Room. Among the treasures is a copy of the Nuremberg Chronicles, which was printed in 1493; volumes signed by Thomas Jefferson; and books written by Foreign Service authors.

Curatorial Services Program

The Curatorial Services Program, which is managed by the Overseas Buildings Operations' Interior Planning, Design and Furnishings Division, is responsible for antiques, works of art, and high-value furnishings that the Department owns abroad. These objects are important due to their historical significance, antiquity, rare quality, or high dollar value. These items may have been donated or obtained as part of the furnishings acquired with a building.

Art in Embassies

The Art in Embassies Program was established in 1964 to promote national pride and the distinct cultural identity of America's arts and its artists. The program, which is managed by the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, provides original U.S. works of art for the representational rooms of United States ambassadorial residences worldwide. The works of art were purchased or are on loan from individuals, organizations, or museums.

Jerry Hovanec, Persimmon with Pulled Stem-Cap 1998, Persimmon with Copper Stem-Cap 1997, and Untitled/Persimmon Vessel 1997, (17 x 13 x 13 cm) blown glass. Courtesy of the artist, Lusby, Maryland

Secretary of State's Register of Culturally Significant Property

The Secretary of State's Register of Culturally Significant Property was established in January 2001 to recognize the Department's owned properties overseas, which have historical, architectural, or cultural significance. Properties in this category include chanceries, consulates, and residences. All these properties are used predominantly in general government operations and are thus classified as multi-use heritage assets. Financial information for multi-use heritage assets is presented in the principal statements.

Situated adjacent to Regent's Park in London, England, Winfi eld House is the residence of the U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James. Heiress Barbara Hutton built this country manor in 1936, and named it after her grandfather F.W. (Winfi eld) Woolworth, who had founded the famous Woolworth stores where any item could be purchased for five or ten cents. After World War II, Hutton offered the building to the United States Government to use as the ambassador's residence for the price of one American dollar.
Left to Right: Entrance Hall, Garden Room with eighteenth century hand-painted Chinese wallpaper, statue of Barbara Hutton in the garden.

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