Part 2

_Library_

This is one of the rooms General Washington added. It was designed for his study, as shown by the old book shelves built in the wall. Back of opposite doors were shelf rooms for his maps and manuscripts. The bulk of Washington’s library he bequeathed to Judge Bushrod Washington, from whose nephews the books were purchased by a syndicate (1848) and deposited in the Boston Athenæum, where they still are. Some scattered volumes recovered by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association include several bearing the genuine signature of George Washington. The names of his mother and members of his family appear upon others. An ancient Bible presented to Washington by the Bishop of Sodor and Man, together with twenty volumes of French History of Travel, sent him by Rochambeau, besides many duplicates of Washington’s books, give interesting character to the present collection. Mrs. Washington’s Prayer Book, and a Family Bible with record of George Washington’s birth and baptism, have lately been acquired.

The “tambour desk” and chair, which Washington used in this room, and left by his will to Dr. Craik, were purchased and restored to Mount Vernon in 1905.

An original mahogany bookcase and a globe are valued relics. The pictures, tambour desk and articles of old-fashioned furniture have been assembled by the Vice-Regent for Massachusetts.

A map of Mount Vernon, and of one of Washington’s plantations, carefully platted by himself, are to be seen here, likewise “rubbings” of brasses on tombs of the Washingtons in England.

_Washington’s Room_

The room in which Washington died (December 14, 1799) deservedly attracts special notice. The items of original furniture and personal effects assembled here add much to the impressive character. A piece associated with Washington’s childhood is his mother’s arm chair. 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.

The two small rooms connecting with the bed-chamber were used respectively as linen closet and dressing room. Between the doors of these rooms now hangs the frame of Washington’s thermometer.

To the efforts of the late Mrs. Emma Reed Ball, for 44 years the Vice-Regent for Virginia, is due, in great measure, the restoration of this room.

_Mrs. Washington’s Room_

The only room on the third floor historically interesting is the one in which Mrs. Washington died. It must be explained that, following a custom then prevalent, Washington’s room was closed after his death, and his widow selected this attic room because from its only window she could see the tomb where her husband’s body lay. Mrs. Washington died here, May 22, 1802.

Until recently, the only original relics in this room were the washstand presented by Mrs. Martha Mitchell, late Vice-Regent for Wisconsin, and dressing glass presented by Mrs. George R. Goldsborough, late Vice-Regent for Maryland. Now have been added a tea set owned by Mrs. Washington, a christening bowl which belonged to Mrs. Washington’s family—the Dandriges—and an old bed quilt believed to have been used at Mount Vernon.

The care of this room fell to the Vice-Regent for Wisconsin.

_Second Floor_

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.

In the Nellie Custis Room are a table cover and footstool embroidered by her.

_Third Floor Spare rooms, third floor, furnished by States named_

The four spare rooms on this floor are furnished appropriately after the old style, by the Vice-Regents for District of Columbia, Connecticut, North Carolina and Maine. Formerly the Washingtons found these rooms useful as spare chambers for the accommodation of guests. The good old custom of keeping “open house” attracted to Mount Vernon hosts of their friends traveling North and South, and doubtless the Mansion was often taxed to its fullest capacity.

In the linen room on this floor may be seen Washington’s military chest, and camp equipments used by his troops when serving with General Braddock.

One of the chairs in the room furnished by Mrs. Mary T. Barnes, the late Vice-Regent for District of Columbia, belonged to Washington.

_Flower Garden_

Among all of the charms and attractions of the home of Washington, not one can excel the beautiful flower garden—an ideal spot—with its memories of General and Lady Washington who planned it, the prim box hedges indelibly marking the walks and flower beds now as in the past. Distinguished guests were invited to plant trees, shrubs and flowers, mementos of their visits, many of which plantings have been perpetuated. Lafayette and Jefferson have leafy monuments here, while the roses named by Washington for his mother and Nellie Custis are daily sought by pilgrims.

At the end of the long walk in the garden is a little octagonal structure known as the school room, in which it is supposed the Custis children were taught their early lessons.

The greenhouse restorations are due to the efforts of Mrs. Martha Mitchell, Mrs. Lucy H. Pickens and Miss Mary Lloyd Pendleton, late Vice-Regents, respectively, for Wisconsin, South Carolina and Ohio.

_Servants’ Quarters_

Two long, red-roofed buildings adjoin the conservatory. These were the quarters for a limited number of servants needed at the Mansion. Comfortable cabins to house the rest of the negroes were located at convenient distances about the plantation. Both these quarters were in ruins, but have been restored—the West Quarters by Mrs. Jennie Meeker Ward, late Vice-Regent for Kansas in 1890, and the East Quarters by Miss Amy Townsend, late Vice-Regent for New York in 1897. While in exterior form these buildings are identical with their original appearance, the interior of each has been somewhat changed to meet existing requirements.

_Kitchen Garden_

George Washington’s fondness for experimental gardening is shown by the care with which he arranged these terraced beds for growing small fruits and vegetables for the use of his household. His diary is evidence enough of the eagerness with which he selected the best-known seed and exploited, with more or less success, the latest improvements in horticulture.

Sheltered by the walls he built, scions of original fig bushes still flourish, while bordering the cross walk to the gate, the box hedge he planted has developed to unusual proportions.

_The Carpenter Shop_

In Washington’s day this building was the center of much activity, it being the all-essential tool-shop for general repairs.

In outward appearance its original character and purpose are still preserved.

Its interior arrangement, however, has been altered to meet the urgent need of a fireproof repository for valuable records of the Association.

_The Spinning House_

The spinning house, north of the court, is where much material was prepared for clothing the servants, and where rag carpets and other fabrics were woven for the use of the family. Flax, cotton, wool and silk were there put through the various processes of spinning and weaving by skilled servants. The old loom, wheels, reels, and flaxbrake were recovered by Mrs. Rebecca B. Flandrau, late Vice-Regent for Minnesota, 1892.

_The Barn_

The oldest building here is the barn, erected in 1733 by Washington’s father. The bricks are said to have been brought from England, and they were laid in strong mortar made of oyster-shell lime. The shingle roof of this building was renewed in 1874, the cost being shared by all the members of the Association. Substantial renovations of the interior were effected in 1896-7 by Mrs. William Ames, the late Vice-Regent for Rhode Island.

Here were stabled the coach horses and saddle horses. Washington’s famous traveling coach, the “White Chariot,” as he called it, was kept in the coach house near by. This coach house was restored in 1894 by the Vice-Regent for Michigan, who was also instrumental in obtaining (1901) the ancient vehicle now here, a duplicate of the original carriage owned by Washington. From well-founded tradition it is believed that General and Mrs. Washington frequently rode in this coach.

An original feature restored as Washington had it, was a “Ha Ha” wall extending from opposite the barn to the summer house, also a screen wall flanking the road from the barn to the kitchen.

_Summer House_

On the brow of the steep hillside, south of the Mansion, overlooking the river, is the summer house. It commands a beautiful view of the broad Potomac, with the Maryland hills beyond, and doubtless was a favorite resort in “ye olden time.” It was restored in 1886, the funds being raised by the Vice-Regent for Louisiana, Mrs. Ida A. Richardson, through the school children of her State. The deep cellar under the summer house was intended for an ice house, but it is believed to have been abandoned as such when another was constructed in a more convenient locality north of the Mansion.

The wooded slope below the summer house was utilized by Washington for his deer paddock, which was restored and stocked with Virginia deer, in 1887, by the sons of the late Mrs. Robert Campbell, Vice-Regent for Missouri.

_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 present covering of the wharf was provided in 1891 by Mrs. Phoebe A. Hearst, late Vice-Regent for California. The parapet for protection of the public was given by the Vice-Regent for the State of Washington, and the Iron Gates by the Vice-Regent for Oregon.

Mrs. Hearst also caused to be built the substantial stone sea-wall as a necessary protection to the wooded shore against wave-wash during storms. This important improvement has enabled the Association to complete the filling of neighboring ravines and swamps, thus accomplishing a valuable reclamation now utilized as meadow land.

From the wharf a road and walk lead to the Tomb and Mansion.

_Old Tomb_

On the edge of the hill, midway down the road leading to the wharf, an iron-railed enclosure marks where Washington’s remains rested from 1799 until 1831. This vault was constructed by George Washington, but later, believing it to be insecure, he planned another tomb, which his executors built. In April, 1831, all bodies in the old vault were transferred to the new tomb.

The cause of apprehension as to safety of the old structure, resulting in its abandonment, was the frequency of landslides near it.

Extensive repairs to the old tomb were made in 1887 by the Vice-Regent for Michigan. The iron railing was found necessary for protection.

In 1908 the broad flight of brick steps was completely rebuilt, the original material, suitable for the purpose, being used again.

_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. To the memory of Bushrod Washington and John Augustine Washington, successors of the General (whose bodies are within the vault), marble shafts were erected in front of the tomb, while to the east are the graves of Nellie Custis and her daughter.

Washington selected this site for the vault only a few months before he died. His executors carried out his explicit directions as to construction, which accounts for its extreme simplicity. Because of Washington’s distaste for display, the character of this tomb should never be changed. Extensive repairs for the preservation of the original structure were made by the Association in 1886. To this hallowed spot come pilgrims from every land.

_The Regents and Vice-Regents of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union Since its Organization, with Dates of Appointment_

MISS ANN PAMELA CUNNINGHAM, _Regent_, 1853-1873 (Resigned, 1873; Died, May 1, 1875) _Vice-Regents_

1858— 1 Mrs. Anna Cora Ogden Ritchie resigned 1866 Virginia 2 Mrs. Alice H. Dickinson resigned 1859 North Carolina 3 Mrs. Philoclea Edgeworth Eve died 1889 Georgia 4 Mrs. Octavia Walton Levert died 1877 Alabama 5 Mrs. Catharine A. McWillie died 1872 Mississippi 6 Mrs. Margaretta S. Morse resigned 1872 Louisiana 7 Mrs. Mary Rutledge Fogg died 1872 Tennessee 8 Mrs. Elizabeth M. Walton resigned 1858 Missouri 9 Miss Mary Morris Hamilton resigned 1866 New York 10 Mrs. Louisa Ingersoll resigned 1865 Massachusetts Greenough 11 Mrs. Abba Isabella Little resigned 1866 Maine 12 Mrs. Catherine Willis Murat died 1867 Florida 13 Mrs. Mary Booth Goodrich resigned 1864 Connecticut 14 Miss Phœbe Ann Ogden died 1867 New Jersey 15 Mrs. Alice Key Pendleton resigned 1863 died 1885 Ohio 16 Mrs. Abby Wheaton Chace died 1892 Rhode Island 17 Mrs. Jane Maria van Antwerp died 1870 Iowa 18 Mrs. Margaret Ann Comegys died 1888 Delaware 19 Mrs. Hannah Blake Farnsworth died 1879 Michigan 20 Mrs. Sarah King Hale resigned 1861 New Hampshire 21 Mrs. Martha Mitchell died 1902 Wisconsin 22 Mrs. Rosa Vertner Johnson died 1894 Kentucky Jeffries Mrs. Janet M. C. Riggs, District of _Acting Vice-Regent_ Columbia 1859— 23 Mrs. Elizabeth Willard Barry died 1883 Illinois 24 Mrs. Sarah J. Sibley died 1869 Minnesota 25 Mrs. Mary Pepperell Jarvis resigned 1878 Vermont Cutts 26 Miss Lily Lytle Macalester died 1891 Pennsylvania 27 Mrs. Magdalen G. Blanding resigned 1884 California 28 Mrs. Harriet B. Fitch died 1880 Indiana 29 Mrs. Sarah H. Johnson died 1866 Arkansas 30 Mrs. Letitia Harper Walker died 1908 North Carolina 1860— 31 Mrs. Ann Lucas Hunt died 1878 Missouri 32 Mrs. Mary Chesnut died 1867 South Carolina 1866— 33 Mrs. Margaret J. M. Sweat died 1908 Maine 34 Miss Emily L. Harper died 1891 Maryland 35 Mrs. Lucy H. Pickens died 1899 North Carolina 36 Mrs. M. E. Hickman resigned 1874 Nevada 37 Mrs. M. A. Stearns resigned 1873 New Hampshire 38 Mrs. Emily R. M. Hewson resigned 1872 Ohio 39 Miss Ella Hutchins resigned 1872 Texas 1867— 40 Mrs. Janet M. C. Riggs resigned 1868 died 1871 District of Columbia 41 Mrs. Maria Brooks resigned 1876 New York 42 Mrs. Matilda W. Emory resigned 1873 District of Columbia 1868— 43 Mrs. Nancy Wade Halsted died 1891 New Jersey 44 Mrs. Nannie C. Yulee died 1884 Florida 1870— 45 Mrs. Susan E. Johnson Hudson died 1913 Connecticut 46 Mrs. Ella Bassett Washington died 1898 West Virginia 1872— 47 Mrs. Betsy C. Mason died 1873 Virginia 48 Mrs. A. P. Dillon resigned 1873 died 1898 Iowa 49 Mrs. C. L. Scott resigned 1878 Arkansas 1873— 50 Mrs. William Balfour resigned 1875 Mississippi 51 Mrs. Mary T. Barnes died 1912 District of Columbia 52 Mrs. David Urquehart resigned 1876 Louisiana 53 Miss M. E. Maverick resigned 1873 Texas

MRS. LILY LYTLE MACALESTER BERGHMAN, _Second Regent_ (Made Acting Regent, 1873; Regent, June, 1874; Died, 1891)

1874— 54 Mrs. Emma Read Ball died 1918 Virginia 55 Mrs. Aaron V. Brown died 1889 Tennessee 1875— 56 Mrs. Elizabeth Lytle died 1890 Ohio Broadwell 57 Mrs. John P. Jones resigned 1876 Nevada 1876— 58 Mrs. Jennie Meeker Ward died 1910 Kansas 59 Mrs. Justine van Rensselaer died 1912 New York Townsend 1878— 60 Mrs. J. Gregory Smith resigned 1884 Vermont 1879— 61 Miss Alice M. Longfellow Massachusetts 62 Mrs. Robert Campbell died 1882 Missouri 1880— 63 Mrs. Ida A. Richardson died 1910 Louisiana 1882— 64 Mrs. Ella S. Herbert died 1884 Alabama

_Vice-Regents_

1885— 65 Mrs. Elizabeth B. Adams resigned 1919 Rathbone died 1923 Michigan 66 Mrs. Mary T. Leiter died 1913 Illinois 67 Mrs. Janet de Kay King died 1896 Vermont 68 Mrs. Elizabeth Woodward died 1987 Kentucky 1888— 69 Miss Harriet Clayton Comegys Elected 1909 Delaware Regent 70 Mrs. Fannie Gilchrist Baker died 1901 Florida 1889— 71 Mrs. Alice Hill died 1908 Colorado 72 Mrs. Rebecca B. Flandrau died 1912 Minnesota 73 Mrs. Phœbe A. Hearst died 1919 California 1890— 74 Mrs. A. R. Winder died 1906 New Hampshire 1891— 75 Mrs. Georgia Page Wilder died 1914 Georgia

MRS. JUSTINE Van RENSSELAER TOWNSEND, _Third Regent_ (Elected Temporary Regent, December, 1891; Regent, June, 1892; Died, 1912)

1893— 76 Mrs. Geo. R. Goldsborough resigned 1904 died 1906 Maryland 77 Mrs. J. Dundas Lippincott died 1894 Pennsylvania 78 Miss Mary Lloyd Pendleton resigned 1897 Ohio 79 Mrs. Philip Schuyler resigned 1894 New York 80 Mrs. Christine Blair Graham died 1915 Missouri 81 Mrs. Francis Stevens Conover died 1914 New Jersey 82 Mrs. Mary Polk Yeatman Webb died 1917 Tennessee 1894— 83 Miss Lelia Herbert died 1897 Alabama 1895— 84 Mrs. Robert H. Clarkson resigned 1900 died 1902 Nebraska 85 Mrs. William Ames died 1904 Rhode Island 86 Miss Amy Townsend died 1920 New York 1896— 87 Mrs. Charles Custis Harrison died 1922 Pennsylvania 88 Mrs. Thomas S. Maxey Texas 1897— 89 Mrs. James E. Campbell resigned 1902 Ohio 1900— 90 Mrs. Robert D. Johnston Alabama 91 Mrs. Charles F. Manderson died 1916 Nebraska 92 Mrs. Eugene van Rensselaer died 1924 West Virginia 1901— 93 Mrs. John Julius Pringle died 1921 South Carolina 94 Mrs. William F. Barret died 1920 Kentucky 95 Mrs. Charles Denby died 1906 Indiana 1905— 96 Mrs. Henry W. Rogers Maryland 1907— 97 Mrs. Lewis Irwin died 1916 Ohio 98 Miss Mary F. Failing Oregon 99 Mrs. Eliza Ferry Leary Washington 100 Mrs. Frances Jones Ricks resigned 1914 Mississippi 101 Mrs. J. Carter Brown Rhode Island 1909— 102 Mrs. A. B. Andrews died 1915 North Carolina

MISS HARRIET CLAYTON COMEGYS, _Fourth Regent_ (Elected, May, 1909; Resigned, May, 1927; Died, August, 1927)