A manual on the origin and development of Washington

by H. Paul Caemmerer

MOUNT VERNON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY—BRIDGE OVER HUNTING CREEK

MOUNT VERNON

Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington the greater part of his life, is situated along the historic Potomac, 14.7 miles south of the city of Washington, which he was instrumental in founding, though referring to it as the Federal City.

GEORGE WASHINGTON
FROM THE HOUDON BUST, MODELED FROM LIFE AT MOUNT VERNON IN 1785

The history of Mount Vernon goes back to the time of Capt. John Smith, who explored the regions of the Potomac River in 1608. Some 40 years later Scotch and Irish emigrants settled along the banks of the Potomac, both on the Virginia and Maryland sides. In 1674 a tract of 5,000 acres, 15 miles south of Washington on the Virginia side of the river, was granted by Lord Culpeper to John Washington and Nicholas Spencer. Half of this tract was inherited by the half-brother of George Washington, Lawrence Washington. Mount Vernon was built in 1743 by Lawrence Washington, who named it after Admiral Vernon, under whom he served. It occupies a most picturesque spot on high ground overlooking the river, which it faces.

The mansion is well built. Its foundations are of stone and brick. The framework is of oak and the sheathing of pine wood. Also much copper was used in its construction. On the main floor is a central hall, a music room, a family dining room, a sitting room, and parlor; also a library and a banquet room, which were added by George Washington. On the second floor is the room in which Washington died; also, among several others, the Lafayette room. There are six bedrooms on the third floor. The house is 96 feet long and 30 feet wide, with a portico 25 feet high; the height of the building to the cupola is about 50 feet. Beautiful gardens are near by.

In 1752 Lawrence Washington died. Augustine Washington had provided that in the case of Lawrence’s death without heirs Mount Vernon should pass to George, and this provision Lawrence incorporated in his own will. To his widow he left a life interest in the property, with a reversion to his infant daughter, Sarah, who, as it happened, survived her father only a few weeks. Thus there was only the widow’s life interest to be considered. Anne Fairfax Washington lived until 1761, and at her death George Washington became the proprietor of Mount Vernon. The mansion was then enlarged for its new mistress, Martha Dandridge Custis, whom he had married in 1759.

During Washington’s years of public life he longed for the day when he could be at home at Mount Vernon with his beloved Martha and the family. It was undoubtedly one of the very best-managed estates in the Colonies, and Washington himself was regarded one of the richest men. The main entrance to Mount Vernon was from the west, which gateway was flanked by two porters’ lodges. The large portico on the east side of the mansion was used for outdoor gatherings and entertainment of visitors. Among the many guests entertained at Mount Vernon was the distinguished young French patriot, General Lafayette. On the main floor in a glass case hangs a key to the Bastille, sent by Lafayette to Washington in 1790, with the message: “That the principles of America opened the Bastille is not to be doubted, therefore the key comes to the right place.”