An Illustrated Handbook of Mount Vernon, the Home of Washington

Mount Vernon, the Home of George Washington Purchased (in 1858), restored and maintained by the Mt. Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union
Houdon’s Bust of Washington Made at Mount Vernon, 1785
Copyright, 1928, by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association
Portrait of George Washington By Chas. Wilson Peale Bequeathed to the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association by the late Miss Jane Boudinot, in whose family’s possession the portrait has been since 1788, when it was painted (from life) for Elias Boudinot
In the year 1674, by Grant of Lord Culpeper, a tract of 5,000 acres situated on the west bank of the Potomac River, fifteen miles south of the present city of Washington, became the property of John Washington and Nicholas Spencer. Half of this tract, or 2,500 acres, descended to Lawrence Washington, who, in 1743, built a residence, and named the estate Mount Vernon, after the British Admiral under whom he had served. At Lawrence Washington’s death (1752) the estate passed to the ownership of his half brother, George Washington, who subsequently extended the boundaries of his plantation until they included nearly 8,000 acres.
In 1799, when George Washington died, the property passed as a life interest to his widow, by whose will most of the household effects in the Mansion were, after her death, divided among her four grandchildren. Thus was the original furniture of Mount Vernon eventually scattered.
Bushrod Washington, John Augustine Washington, and John A. Washington, Jr., followed in succession as owners of Mount Vernon.
These gentlemen furnished the Mansion according to their individual tastes and made such minor changes as papering or painting the interior to preserve it.
Mr. John A. Washington, Jr., the last-named owner, in accordance with the wishes of his family, to effect a permanent preservation of the property, offered to sell it to the National Government. This project failed, as did likewise an attempt to sell to the Commonwealth of Virginia.