This was the main approach, in olden times, from the much-traveled highway to the homestead, which can be faintly discerned through a vista cleared by Washington. A carriage road winds through intervening valleys to the Mansion, nearly a mile distant. Extending from this gateway to the Potomac River is the part of the estate purchased in 1858 by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.
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.
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. 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.
The work was divided by allotting to each Vice-Regent a room or some other feature to be restored. Gradually many articles of original furniture and personal effects of the Washingtons were recovered, some by gift, others by purchase, while several articles had only been loaned. The work has been attended with gratifying success and still progresses. Every effort is directed toward the complete restoration of each feature and condition as it existed in the days of Washington.