During a May 19 reception, Dolores Hope and Dr. Billington examine plans for the Bob Hope Gallery of American Entertainment. - Fisher Photography
On May 19, the family of Bob Hope announced its intention to donate over the next few years personal papers, radio and television broadcasts, scripts, joke files, films and other materials from the comic legend's career. Because of illness, Mr. Hope was unable to attend a reception that evening in the Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building.
The processing and preservation of the collection will be supported by a generous gift from the Hopes. The gift will also endow the Bob Hope Gallery of American Entertainment, a permanent display of rotating items from the Bob Hope Collection and other collections in the Library related to American entertainment.
Left, Mrs. Hope admires a bronze statue honoring her husband's wartime service as (from left) her grandson, Zachary Hope, Dr. Billington, daughter Linda Hope, son Kelly and grandson Andrew Lande look on; center, Dr. and Mrs. Billington thank Bob Hope (who could not attend) and Mrs. Hope for their gift to the Library of the Bob Hope Collection; right, comic writer Larry Gelbart. - Fisher Photography
