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.
LAFAYETTE ROOM
