The Art of War art and gift collection consists of more than 3,800 items from around the world

The art and gift collection of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College traces its beginnings to 1943 at the height of World War II with a plaque from the Polish delegation attending the college. Gifts prior to that were not necessarily catalogued or maintained, however some gifts, such as a painted portrait of Confederate General Robert E. Lee donated in 1934 by the Daughters of the American Confederacy, still exist.

In the 1970s, CGSC classes began a tradition of giving gifts to the college upon graduation. That tradition has taken many forms, from stained glass windows currently displayed in the Lewis and Clark Center (the home of CGSC), to original works of art presented annually on a topic chosen by the class. In addition, many of the international military student officers from each class annually gift the college with tokens of appreciation representing their country. In addition, visiting dignitaries and interested donors have gifted the college with works of art. Examples of these gifts range from a presidential portrait collection to bronze statues commemorating the military’s role in the war in Afghanistan.

Today, the collection consists of more than 3,800 gifts of art objects and other items and grows each year. The collection provides a physical representation of the historical significance between the college and the nations it serves. However, the collection is in need of preservation to professional standards in order to be more widely shared and celebrated for its unique and historical significance.