Museum to exhibit George Washington's inaugural Bible

— A unique piece of history from America's first president has made its way to Little Rock.

The Historic Arkansas Museum said George Washington's inaugural Bible will be on display for a limited time in February. The bible will be on exhibit from 5-8 p.m. Feb. 8 and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 9.

The bible is on loan from St. John's Lodge No. 1 in New York, and will be featured as part of Historic Arkansas Museum's coming exhibit, Treasures of Arkansas Freemasons, 1838-2013. The exhibit will run Feb. 8 through July 12 in the Study Gallery.

Washington's inaugural bible was used in the inaugural ceremonies of Warren G. Harding, Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush.

The museum said Washington's family bible will also be on display for the length of the exhibit. It is on loan from the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Va.

The museum says the family bible contains Washington's signature and handwritten notes.

"The museum is delighted to have the opportunity to exhibit two rare bibles closely associated with the America's preeminent Mason of the colonial era, and our nation's first president, George Washington," Swannee Bennett, museum deputy director and chief curator, said in a statement.

The Historic Arkansas Museum is located at 200 E. Third St. in Little Rock. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is also open from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Parking and admission to galleries is free.

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