Critchfield family donates portrait to TJ

History is an important part of what our country is built on, and now the students of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School will be able to enjoy a piece of history thanks to the donation of a portrait of U.S. President Thomas Jefferson.

The portrait was donated by Jasper County Iowa Republican Party Chairman Marshall Critchfield, his wife, Stephanie, and their two daughters, Whitney and Jane Hadley.

“Mrs. Lisa Sharp was helping me get ready for the January caucus and I asked if there was a portrait of Jefferson anywhere in the building,” Marshall said. “She said there wasn’t. So I asked her if I get you a portrait, will you display it? She said, ‘Absolutely.’”

“We’re delighted to give back to the school that has given us so much over these past four years,” Stephanie said.

The artist of the portrait is a U.S. Marine Veteran named Chris Hestor. Hestor served with Critchfield’s brother.

“I asked him (Hestor) if he could paint Jefferson for my girls’ elementary school and he jumped at the opportunity,” Critchfield said.

Whitney and Jane are both students at TJ. Next year, Jane Hadley will continue on at TJ, and Whitney will be headed to Woodrow Wilson Elementary School.

“If Woodrow Wilson needs a portrait of the 28th president, we would discuss it with the school administration and be more than willing to make that happen,” Critchfield said.