Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union

“ Sanitary drainage is an essential improvement. Bogs and swamps have been reclaimed to make the place more healthful.
Threatening landslides near the Mansion and old Tomb were averted by the costly expedient of tunneling the hill to drain the water-bearing sands, the source of disastrous surface movements which had caused Washington much alarm.
The Association owes to the interest and patriotism of Prof. Charles Sprague Sargent, of Arnold Arboretum, the replacement and listing of many trees planted at Mount Vernon during Washington’s lifetime. ”

“ Washington Family
31 New Tomb
“Within this enclosure rest the remains of General George Washington.”
This plain statement empaneled above the doorway of the rigidly simple brick vault at once marks its importance. Within the doubly ironed portals may be seen two marble sarcophagi; that on the right contains the body of General Washington and the one on the left the remains of his wife. At the rear of this open vault, and connected with it through a square iron door, is an inner vault containing the remains of many of the Washington family. ”

“ Telescope
29 Mount Vernon Wharf
Washington shipped much of his farm produce and supplies by water—and today are landed at the wharf many pilgrims to the home and tomb of the “Father of His Country.” The custom of tolling a bell as a mark of respect to his memory is hallowed by its observance for more than a century. ”

“ The Vice-Regent for South Carolina has furnished this room. The Heppelwhite sideboard is original. All the furniture is of ancient form. The rug is of the Washington period, as are also the handsome brass andirons and fender. In the corner cupboard may be seen a reproduction of the set of china presented to Mrs. Washington by the officers of the French fleet. The stucco ornamentation of the ceiling is the same as applied in 1775. An iron fireback bearing the Fairfax coat of arms, stands in the fireplace. It was at the Fairfax home, “Belvoir,” adjoining Mount Vernon. ”

“ Washington’s bureau, washstand, mirror, etc., are shown. Most prominent of all is the bedstead on which the great and good man breathed his last.
The mahogany shaving stand presented to Washington by the first French minister to this country was recently recovered.
Washington’s crest and initials are wrought in the old fireback. Above the mantel hangs an engraving, one of a set of five entitled “Sorrows of Werther,” which belonged to the General. The arm chair at the foot of the bed was used in this room when Washington died. ”

“ There are portraits of Washington by Gilbert Stuart and C. W. Peale, also a supposed portrait of Washington at the age of twenty-one, recently sent over from Glasgow as a loan.
17 Kitchen
A tour of inspection among the several buildings develops points of interest at every turn. The family kitchen bears evidence, in the proportions of its huge fireplace with ponderous crane and bake-oven near by, of what feasts were prepared therein. The interior of this room was renovated by Miss Amy Townsend, late Vice-Regent for New York, who obtained for it furnishings of contemporaneous date. ”

“ In construction, its foundation walls are of stone and brick; the framework oak; the sheathing Virginia pine, cut, painted, and sanded to resemble stone. The roof is of cypress shingles. A spacious and well-drained cellar underlies the whole house.
When the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association came into possession of this property, the Mansion and other buildings were found unfurnished and greatly in need of repairs. The story of the restoration cannot be adequately told in this short sketch. ”

“ Fire engines—both chemical and steam—are at hand for instant use, and guards are on constant watch both day and night. Powerful modern pumps (electrically driven) supply water from an artesian well for household purposes, and keep the emergency reservoirs filled. ”

“ Ascending by the stairway, from the main hall to the second floor, six bedrooms are found—the Lafayette Room, River Room, Guest Chamber, Nellie Custis Room, Green Room and Mrs. Washington’s Room. These are in charge of the Vice-Regents representing, respectively, the following States: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. The first five rooms contain but little original furniture, although all the articles are of historic importance and represent the correct type of the Colonial period. ”

“ The original paving of cobble stones has been found intact and now visitors to Mount Vernon enter as in Washington’s time. An attractive bowling-green extends from the gateway nearly to the Mansion. To the left are the flower gardens, and occupying a similar area to the right is the kitchen garden. These gardens are surrounded by brick walls, the coping of which was restored, in 1895, by Mrs. ”

“ In 1890 Mrs. Martha Mitchell, late Vice-Regent for Wisconsin, provided funds for renovating these ancient lodges which once sheltered Washington’s gatekeepers.
Duplicate of the coach in which General Washington made his tour of the South in 1791. The coach shown at Mount Vernon is a contemporary replica made by the same maker.
10 Mount Vernon Mansion
Construction
George Washington enlarged the original residence, built in 1743 by Lawrence Washington, by increasing its length and height, completing these improvements in 1786. ”