WILMINGTON, DEL. "Nicholas and Alexandra: The Last Imperial Family of Tsarist Russia," one of the largest collections of imperial treasures to leave the State Hermitage Museum of St Petersburg, Russia, a Broughton Masterpiece Presentation, is the first of a series of touring exhibitions to be developed by Broughton on behalf of the State Hermitage Museum through an arrangement with the museum and its director, Dr Mikhail Piotrovski.

Commissioned by Catherine the Great in 1764, the State Hermitage Museum today houses a collection of nearly three million art objects representing the cultures and civilizations of many nations and peoples, ranging from the Stone Age to the present day.

The exhibit, the first comprehensive presentation of this Twentieth Century story to be staged in America, features nearly 700 objects depicting the historical, social, religious and artistic aspects of the lives of the last imperial family of the Romanov dynasty, which ruled Russia for 300 years. Most of the objects have never left Russia before and many have been made available only recently for the touring exhibition.

In addition to the objects from the State Hermitage Museum, this collection also features objects assembled from the State Archives of the Russian Federation and the State Palace Museum, Tsarskoe Selo, as well as the Forbes Magazine Collection, New York City.

Much of the history of the last Romanovs has come to light only recently. Prior to the 1990s, the lives of Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra and their five beautiful children had remained an enigma since they were killed in 1918.

Objects within the exhibition include a gilded state carriage; an imperial throne; one of the Romanov dynasty's most comprehensive collections of costumes, including court gowns and military uniforms; icons, chalices, miters and vestments of the Russian Orthodox Church; objects of major historical importance including the 1917 abdication letter written by Nicholas II; photographs; paintings; and personal gifts from Tsar Nicholas to Empress Alexandra, including a grand piano.

Of particular interest is a 190-foot hand painted panorama of Moscow that was created in 1896 to document the extravagant coronation festivities for Nicholas II. It is displayed in its entirety the first and only time this century. Also within the collection are decorative pieces designed by Karl Faberge, including the miniature replica of the diamond-studded imperial regalia created for the World Exposition of 1900 in Paris.

Loans from the Forbes Magazine Collection include the monumental Nicholas and Alexandra wedding icon, a gift marking the marriage of Tsar Nicholas II and his bride Alexandria in 1894 presented by Grand Duchess Elizabeth, sister to Alexandra; and the coronation egg by Faberge, which opens to reveal a miniature replica of the coach used by Empress Alexandra during her entry into Moscow for Nicholas II's coronation ceremonies in 1896. The egg complements the coronation carriage, also on display.

"Nicholas and Alexandra: The Last Imperial Family of Tsarist Russia" heralds the opening of the newly created First USA Riverfront Arts Center in downtown Wilmington. The exhibition hall is the major component within the revitalization along the Christina River, presently under development by the Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware, an agency created by special legislation of the State of Delaware.

The center is designed to house traveling exhibitions. Its inaugural schedule plays host to the international cultural exchange program of Broughton Masterpiece Presentations over the next five years.

In addition to 25,000 square feet of main exhibition gallery space, the center houses a lobby area, a 275-seat exhibition theater, a gift shop, and a restaurant-cafe. The remainder of the 125,000 square foot exhibition hall accommodates storage, and curatorial and executive offices.

It is estimated that the "Nicholas and Alexandra" exhibition will draw over half a million visitors to downtown Wilmington and surrounding areas.

Exhibitions presently under development by Broughton International include "Treasures of Imperial Japan - The Meiji Period," an exhibition of the history, traditions, heritage and art of the late Nineteenth Century Japanese Imperial Period, from the collection of the Khalili Family Trust; and "The History and Traditions of Scotland," an exhibition focusing on the rich cultural heritage of historic Scotland is being organized in association with The National Trust For Scotland.

Patrons are advised to allow a minimum of two hours to tour "Nicholas and Alexandra." Before entering the galleries, visitors are treated to a brief overview of the story of Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra in the Exhibition Theater, which provides an historical backdrop for what they are about to experience.

At the conclusion of the eight-minute orientation, visitors walk through 14 galleries that are architecturally enhanced to reflect the world in which Tsar Nicholas and Empress Alexandra and their family lived.

Upon closing December 31, the exhibition will travel to two other American cities.