Pamela Carter-Birken Presents 'Duncan and Marjorie Phillips and America’s First Museum of Modern Art' at The Arts Club of Washington
Washington, D.C. — September 18, 2025. Pamela Carter-Birken, author of Duncan and Marjorie Phillips and America’s First Museum of Modern Art (Vernon Press), delivered a captivating presentation at the historic Arts Club of Washington, located in the President James Monroe House.
Her book explores the legacy of Duncan and Marjorie Phillips, founders of The Phillips Collection, widely regarded as America’s first museum of modern art. During the event, Carter-Birken highlighted how the Phillips family not only collected art but also cultivated a cultural home where artists, staff, and the public could engage deeply with modern art.
“The Arts Club of Washington was honored to host Dr. Pamela Carter-Birken in the historic President James Monroe House, where she delivered a captivating presentation on the Phillips family, founders of The Phillips Collection. Her presentation revealed not only the art that graces the museum’s walls, but also the people—collectors, artists, and dedicated staff—who shaped it into both a cultural treasure and a home. With lively storytelling, she illuminated the intertwined lives of Duncan and Marjorie Phillips alongside the many others who built and sustained the Collection. The evening left our audience with a deeper appreciation of the Phillips family's contribution to America's cultural legacy. Her book is a remarkable testament to how art, literature, and history continue to shape the human experience and enrich our cultural life.”
— Jameson Paul Freeman, President, The Arts Club of Washington
The evening underscored the relevance of Carter-Birken’s book for scholars, students, and art enthusiasts seeking to understand how modern art entered the American cultural landscape. The Phillips Collection, founded in 1921, remains one of the most significant institutions for modern art in the United States, and Carter-Birken’s work provides a nuanced look into the lives of its founders and the community they fostered.
Duncan and Marjorie Phillips and America’s First Museum of Modern Art is available from Vernon Press in hardback, paperback, and e-book editions. Learn more about the book here.
Edition 1st
ISBN 978-1-64889-107-6
Published in July 2021
Page last updated on September 26th 2025. All information correct at the time, but subject to change.
