A Lifetime Devoted to Preserving American History

The Journey Begins

Gary Hendershott began collecting at the age of eleven. By sixteen, he was traveling the country buying family correspondences, relics, and estates — a pursuit that led him to a lifelong combination of American art and history.

His father was a Seabee in World War II who came home, secured a GI loan, and built a construction company that prospered during the Eisenhower years as America moved from Main Street to suburbs and shopping centers. Working construction as a teenager gave Gary the income and the work ethic that would fund his early collecting — and the veterans he worked alongside taught him the value of honest work and historical preservation.

“Generosity is a key element amongst collectors. It is not all about the money — it is also about the people you meet along the way that you help, and in turn help you.”

At sixteen, Gary flew to Chicago to meet Bob Weisz, who sold him suitcases full of historical items. That relationship — still strong decades later — was the first of many lasting bonds forged through a shared passion for history.

Objects of Extraordinary Significance

Over the decades, Gary has owned the personal effects of some of the most important figures in American history: Robert E. Lee, George Washington, JEB Stuart, George Custer, Nathan Bedford Forrest, Ulysses S. Grant, and figures of infamy including Frank and Jesse James, the Youngers, and the Daltons.

His collection has included Gilbert Stuart's iconic "Dollar Bill" portrait of George Washington, Emanuel Leutze's celebrated Washington Crossing the Delaware, Mary Cassatt's first portrait painted in 1871, and masterworks by the Taos artists.

“I pride myself on integrity, ethics, and professional conduct. After more than 50+ years living alongside the finest historical items in the world, I remain as passionate about these objects and their stories as I was at eleven years old.”

A Note to Friends & Collectors

In 2018, Gary was diagnosed with a rare form of Guillain-Barré syndrome — Axonal Nerve Degeneration — a progressive condition in which the nerves in his lower body are irreversibly deteriorating. The diagnosis was confirmed by the University of Miami following the surgical removal and laboratory analysis of his sural nerve. There is currently no cure and no established treatment protocol.

Since that diagnosis, Gary has been wheelchair-bound and requires assistance with many daily tasks. Despite constant pain and significant physical limitation, he has chosen to forgo pain medication entirely and continues to operate his business with the same dedication and integrity that have defined his career for over 50+ years.

To the museum professionals, friends, and fellow historians who have stood by him through this transition: your patience and loyalty mean more than words can convey. Gary continues writing, researching, and bearing witness to history — the work that has defined his life — for as long as he is able.