Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State

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Robert Kogod Goldman

Robert Kogod Goldman

A longtime friend and dedicated supporter of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms, Fine Arts Committee Member Robert Goldman has an exemplary history of giving to the DRRs.

As an educator as well as a life-long collector, Mr. Goldman is inspired by American history as told through spectacular examples of 18th-century porcelain. He has dedicated himself to the remarkable goal of helping the Office of Fine Arts build the Diplomatic Reception Rooms’ collection of Chinese export porcelain into the most preeminent in the United States.

Initially attracted to bold English armorials, Mr. Goldman’s attention turned to American-owned Chinese export porcelain when he discovered his passion for the rich, multifaceted stories imbued in these pieces. His contributions over many years have introduced extraordinary works to the collection that form links between some of the most important figures and pivotal events in American history. As a scholar of these pieces and their provenances, Mr. Goldman is drawn to both the intimacy of the objects, their ownership, and their use as well as the sweeping lessons they impart within the larger context of our global history.

For Robert Goldman, the Diplomatic Reception Rooms represent the greatest artistic period of the United States, and the objects they contain have the unique opportunity to become part of a history that lives on.

“That’s why I’m dedicated to it,” he shared with the Curator.
“What better place to give back to?”

DRR Collection

Gifts of Robert Kogod Goldman
Robert Kogod Goldman’s history of giving spans decades and has helped to grow the DRR collection of Chinese export porcelains into one of the world’s finest.
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In Memoriam

Patricia Anne Morton
Diplomatic Security Agent Patti Morton dedicated her life to the Department of State, and forever impacted the DRRs through her friendship and philanthropy.
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Our Partners

The Endowment Fund
The Fund for the Endowment of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms is a section 501(c)(3) organization committed to preserving the DRRs as national treasures.
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Featured Object Tributes

Steinway Concert Grand Model D Piano and Bench

Given in celebration of the timeless power of music, which brings us together.
Generously donated by composer and musician David Bryan with Steinway Piano Gallery, Washington, DC in honor of Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton

Portrait of Martha Washington (after Gilbert Stuart, 1796)

Given as “a Salute to Freedom”
by Miklos Sperling, who immigrated to the United States from Hungary in 1926

Portrait of Thomas Jefferson

Given in memory of President Kennedy
by James R. and Robert Graham

Portrait of John Hancock

Given in memory of The Honorable Orme Wilson (1885-1966) Diplomatic Officer 1920-1924
Foreign Service Officer 1924-1946
by Mrs. Orme Wilson

American Silver Teapot and Stand

Funds donated in honor of Gail F. Serfaty, Director of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms from 1995-2007
by the Friends of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms