Overlooked American Exhibit Shows Joel Barlow Played Important Role in Founding of U.S. by Amy Schoenberger The Woodrow Wilson House is currently celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Joel Barlowóan ambassador, author and little-known historical figure who played a significant role in the founding of the United States. Barlow, a colorful character, was not only the countryís first popular author, he also served in George Washingtonís army, was a patron and mentor to a young Robert Fulton, a close friend of Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine, an active citizen of France during its revolution, and the first U.S. diplomat to die at his post while serving his nation. The exhibit "Joel BarlowóThe Sage of Kalorama" is set in a small room in the front of the Wilson House with cream-colored, text-filled panels hanging from the pale blue walls. The display includes everything from Barlowís original works to a bust and several color portraits of him, as well as photographs of his mansion in the Kalorama area of Washington, D.C. Barlow, the son of a Connecticut farmer, studied at Yale and was the first American writer to receive pay for a work of literature. His book, "The Vision of Colum bus," published in 1787 and on display in the exhibit, was the first bestseller in America. Barlow, a seasoned diplomat, went on to become the U.S. minister to France, charged with negotiating a commercial treaty with Napoleon. Napoleon eventually summoned Barlow to meet him in Poland, but with the Russians defeating the French army, Napoleon retreated and never met Barlow, who in turn was overcome by exposure and died in a Polish village in 1812. There are many preserved books and essays written by Barlow on display at the Wilson House, their yellow, faded pages borrowed from the U.S. State Department and the Library of Congress. In addition, the National Portrait Gallery loaned out a portrait of Barlow and a plaster copy of an original Barlow bust created by Jean-Antoine Houdon in 1803. One interesting panel in the exhibit tells the story of Thomas Paineís arrest in France in 1793. Paine, taken into custody for treason against the French government, tricked a soldier into taking him to Barlowís home because Barlow was the only other American that Paine knew in Paris. As a result, Barlow became involved in the arrest, working as Paineís lawyer. While Paine was in jail, Barlow went through papers at Paineís house, stumbling upon his notes for "The Age of Reason." Barlow made sure that the work was published, and now all editions of "The Age of Reason" give Barlow credit for his significant contribution. In 1796, while Barlow was in Paris, President George Washington asked him to negotiate the release of 119 U.S. sailors who had been taken prisoner by the Barbary pirates. Barlow negotiated this treaty of friendship with the Barbary States of Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli, and this treatyóthe first made by the new American nationóis on display with handwritten versions in both English and Arabic. Another document on view is an original letter written by Thomas Jefferson to Barlow urging the Barlows to visit Jefferson at his home in Monticello. Jefferson is also represented in the exhibit by a large silver wine cooler that he gave to Barlow as a gift, which Barlow used in his home at Kalorama. Barlow had an important connection to another prominent historical figure, Robert Fulton, who is credited with inventing the steamboat. Barlow helped a young Fulton with his art, inventions and ideas, including his design of the steamboat, which attracted the attention of Robert Livingston, then a wealthy U.S. minister to France. This famous steamboat, eventually called the Clermont, would not have been possible without the help of Barlow and Livingston. Fulton went on to marry Livingstonís niece, Harriet, and he named his son Barlow. Barlowís house in Kaloramaówhich means "beautiful view" in Greekóis best depicted in the exhibit with a colorful oil painting by Charles Codman, which shows the lake and trees surrounding the three-story structure. The 30-acre home, which Barlow purchased for $14,000, can also be seen in a replica stationed in the center of the exhibit room. Barlow himself designed a gardenerís lodge and installed the marble fireplaces in his home. He also built a large gate at the propertyís entrance, known today as the corner of Florida Avenue and P Street in downtown Washington, D.C. Although on first look, one may be overwhelmed by the extensive amount of text and books on display, when taking a closer look, the exhibit shows an interesting but commonly overlooked piece of American historyóthe fascinating life of Joel Barlow. "Joel BarlowóThe Sage of Kalorama" runs through June 21 at the Woodrow Wilson House, 2340 S St., NW. For more information, please call (202) 387-4062 or visit www.nationaltrust.org. Amy Schoenberger is the editorial intern for The Washington Diplomat.