The 120th Anniversary of Charles Lang Freer’s Gift of his extensive collection of Japanese and Asian Art and the Freer Gallery, now the National Museum of Asian Art on the mall in Washington, DC was held on Sunday, June 7.

Detroit industrialist Charles Lang Freer’s vision and philanthropy was commemorated with a luncheon held at the Freer House, where remarks were delivered by Senator Gary Peters who is also a member of the Smithsonian Board of Regents, Director Chase Robinson of the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, Director William Colburn of the Freer House, President Liseann Gouin of the Japan America Society of Michigan and Southwestern Ontario, Deputy Consul General of Japan Kentaro Yamane, and Director, President, and CEO Salvador Salort-Pons of the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). Guests were served Japanese bento meals.

Following the luncheon, guests met at the Detroit Institute of Arts where Director Robinson delivered a keynote lecture titled, “Detroit and Charles Lang Freer’s Vision for a National Museum,” in which he spoke about Freer’s life, his connection to the city of Detroit, his voyages to Japan, and the art collection he donated to the nation 120 years ago.

Additionally, during a reception held afterward at the Freer House, Deputy Consul General Yamane presented congratulatory messages from Kōetsu-ji Temple in Kyoto to Director Robinson and Director Colburn. During his lifetime, Freer developed a connection with Kōetsu-ji Temple through his collection of works by Hon’ami Kōetsu, and a stone monument donated in his memory continues to be preserved at the temple.