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National Humanities Medal
On November 15, 2007, the Monuments Men and Women Foundation (then-Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art) was one of 10 recipients of the National Humanities Medal. Founder Robert M. Edsel accepted the medal on behalf of the foundation and was accompanied by Monuments Men Seymore Pomrenze, James Reeds, Harry Ettlinger, and Horace Apgar, Jr. President George W. Bush stated during his introduction of the recipients, “We are forever indebted to the men and women who, in an era of total war, rescued and preserved a precious portion of the world’s heritage.”
This is an extraordinary honor for the Monuments Men Foundation. It underscores the importance of our work to recognize the contribution and preserve the legacy of these remarkable men and women who saved so much of our cultural heritage during World War II.
Robert Edsel, Founder and Chairman, Monuments Men and Women Foundation
The National Humanities Medal is the highest honor given for excellence in the Humanities field. Inaugurated in 1997, the award honors individuals and groups whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the humanities, broadened citizens’ engagement with the humanities, or helped preserve and expand Americans’ access to important resources in the humanities. Medal recipients do not compete for this award but are specially selected by the President for their life-long achievements in their diverse areas of expertise.
Up to 12 medals can be awarded each year. The Monuments Men Foundation is one of only three Foundations to have ever been awarded this honor.
The 2007 National Humanities Award recipients:
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Dr. Stephen H. Balch, scholar, Princeton, N.J.
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Russell Freedman, author, New York, N.Y.
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Victor Davis Hanson, military historian and author, Fresno, C.A.
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Roger Hertog, philanthropist, New York, N.Y.
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Cynthia Ozick, author, New Rochelle, N.Y.
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Richard Pipes, author and historian, Cambridge, M.A.
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Pauline L. Schultz, curator and author, Hixson, T.N.
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Henry Leonard Snyder, scholar, Kensington, C.A.
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Ruth R. Wisse, scholar, Cambridge, M.A.
Congressional Gold Medal
On October 22, 2015, the United States Congress presented the Monuments Men and Women, of all 14 nations, with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States.
It's the realization of a dream I held so closely.
Robert Edsel, Founder and Chairman, Monuments Men and Women Foundation
Monuments Men Congressional Gold Medal Bronze 1:1 Replica
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Three inches in diameter
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Minted at the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia (no mint mark)
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Struck Under Authority of Public Law 113-116
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Design: Obverse Designer: Joel Iskowitz; Obverse Sculptor–Engraver: Phebe Hemphill; Reverse Designer: Donna Weaver; Reverse Engraver: Joseph Menna
The obverse displays a picture of soldiers in action, lifting and removing objects from a cave or mine location where the Monuments Men discovered the stolen artworks.
The reverse features some of the thousands of works of art that were at risk from damage, destruction or theft by Nazi forces surrounding the inscriptions “IT IS OUR PRIVILEGE TO PASS ON TO THE COMING CENTURIES TREASURES OF PAST AGES” and “GEN. DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER.”