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Watergate at the National Portrait Gallery

This new exhibition “Watergate: Portraiture and Intrigue” reminds us that it’s always the cover-up that gets you.

A political crime was committed at the Watergate. The President’s aides tried to cover it up. It brought down the President of the United States of America.

Caricature of the Watergate conspirators

Fifty years later, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery opens this show with 23 portraits showing the cast of characters.

Key figures include:

  • H. R. Haldeman
  • John Mitchell
  • Gordon Liddy
  • Jeb Magruder
  • Chuck Colson
  • Howard Baker
  • Martha Mitchell
  • Henry Kissinger
  • John Ehrlichman
  • James McCord
  • President Nixon

Portrait of Nixon from "Watergate: Portraiture and Intrigue"

A large graphic with a colorful group caricature even draws the kids in.

“Younger audiences will really be engaged by this show because this portraiture is really commanding and engaging,” says Dr. Kate Lemay, curator.

The circle of presidential admirers all pointing to the next guy, while getting tangled up, is funny. And shifting the blame is something we all can relate to.

"Watergate: Portraiture and Intrigue" at National Portrait Gallery

Allow 10 minutes to see this show on the First Floor of the National Portrait Gallery. And when you’re finished there, head over to the courtyard to view the Smithsonian’s annual orchid display.

Open Thursdays-Sundays

11:30am-7pm

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