National Life Artwork on Display at Mount Independence

(May 30, 2007) Montpelier and Orwell, VT. — A special exhibit of commissioned art from National Life Insurance Company is currently on display at the Mount Independence State Historic Site in Orwell, Vermont. “Vermont from Revolution and Republic to Statehood: The National Life Insurance Company Drawings,” features a selection of 20 historic works of art from the 1930s and 1940s by artist Roy F. Heinrich. The drawings show the thrilling stories of Vermont during the American Revolution, when sometimes ordinary people rose to extraordinary heroism in the face of danger.

See Mrs. Samuel Robinson, early Bennington settler, chasing wolves away from her door in 1766 while her husband was in London on business; witness Benedict Arnold building a fleet of gunboats to fight the British on Lake Champlain and American soldiers defending Monument Hill at the Battle of Hubbardton in 1777. The original drawings are exceptionally detailed, springing to life in crisp pencil, pen, and charcoal and vividly depicting the early history of Vermont.

“National Life has long shared its historic art series for the benefit of many worthy causes," said Brian Lindner, National Life's company historian. "We're proud that these works so accurately portray life in early Vermont and Colonial America.”

National Life commissioned over 100 works of art from the 1920s to 1940s in the historic art series. As the only major life insurance company in the United States in a rural setting, this series was a way for the company to share Vermont history and reach potential clients about the importance of life insurance. The artwork was used to illustrate advertisements in many major publications, including the Saturday Evening Post, Time, and Life. Additionally, The Story of Old Vermont: The National Life Insurance Company Drawings booklet depicting the artwork and accompanying stories was distributed to schools and teachers across the country. Heinrich created 100 original pieces of artwork for National Life, and during his career did illustrations for Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Buick, Chrysler and Cadillac, and his artwork was exhibited in many New York City galleries as well as at the 1938 World’s Fair.

The exhibit is on display daily through October 9. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children under 15. For information or directions, call (802) 948-2000 or visit www.HistoricVermont.org/mountindependence.

About Mount Independence

Mount Independence is a large fort complex built in 1776 by American Revolutionary War troops to defend against a British attack from the north. A National Historic Landmark, it resides along the Vermont shore of Lake Champlain and is considered one of the most interesting and important historic sites in the state. Several miles of hiking trails wind past the batteries, blockhouses, hospital, barracks, and other archaeological remains and a the Visitors Center Museum offers more stories of military life. It is a designated historic site of The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, a public agency designated to be the advocate for historic and prehistoric properties in Vermont.

About National Life Group

National Life Group is a growing and diversified family of financial service companies made up of its flagship company, National Life Insurance Company, which was founded in Montpelier, Vt. in 1850, as well as Sentinel Asset Management Inc., Equity Services, Inc., Member SIPC, and National Retirement Plan Advisors Inc. all of Montpelier; and Life Insurance Company of the Southwest of Dallas, Texas. Companies in the Group offer a comprehensive portfolio of life insurance, annuity and equity products to help individuals, families and businesses meet their financial goals.