On April 30, 1789, George Washington, standing on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York, took his oath of office as the first President of the United States. "As the first of every thing, in our situation will serve to establish a Precedent," he wrote James Madison, "it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles."Born in 1732 into a Virginia planter family, he learned the morals, manners, and body of knowledge requisite for an 18th century Virginia gentleman.
He pursued two intertwined interests: military arts and western expansion. At 16 he helped survey Shenandoah lands for Thomas, Lord Fairfax. Commissioned a lieutenant colonel in 1754, he fought the first skirmishes of what grew into the French and Indian War. The next year, as an aide to Gen. Edward Braddock, he escaped injury although four bullets ripped his coat and two horses were shot from under him.
From 1759 to the outbreak of the American Revolution, Washington managed his lands around Mount Vernon and served in the Virginia House of Burgesses. Married to a widow, Martha Dandridge Custis, he devoted himself to a busy and happy life. But like his fellow planters, Washington felt himself exploited by British merchants and hampered by British regulations. As the quarrel with the mother country grew acute, he moderately but firmly voiced his resistance to the restrictions.
When the Second Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia in May 1775, Washington, one of the Virginia delegates, was elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. On July 3, 1775, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, he took command of his ill-trained troops and embarked upon a war that was to last six grueling years.
He realized early that the best strategy was to harass the British. He reported to Congress, "we should on all Occasions avoid a general Action, or put anything to the Risque, unless compelled by a necessity, into which we ought never to be drawn." Ensuing battles saw him fall back slowly, then strike unexpectedly. Finally in 1781 with the aid of French allies--he forced the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
Washington longed to retire to his fields at Mount Vernon. But he soon realized that the Nation under its Articles of Confederation was not functioning well, so he became a prime mover in the steps leading to the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia in 1787. When the new Constitution was ratified, the Electoral College unanimously elected Washington President
He did not infringe upon the policy making powers that he felt the Constitution gave Congress. But the determination of foreign policy became preponderantly a Presidential concern. When the French Revolution led to a major war between France and England, Washington refused to accept entirely the recommendations of either his Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, who was pro-French, or his Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, who was pro-British. Rather, he insisted upon a neutral course until the United States could grow stronger.
To his disappointment, two parties were developing by the end of his first term. Wearied of politics, feeling old, he retired at the end of his second. In his Farewell Address, he urged his countrymen to forswear excessive party spirit and geographical distinctions. In foreign affairs, he warned against long-term alliances.
Washington enjoyed less than three years of retirement at Mount Vernon, for he died of a throat infection December 14, 1799. For months the Nation mourned him.
When the Second Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia in May 1775, Washington, one of the Virginia delegates, was elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. On July 3, 1775, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, he took command of his ill-trained troops and embarked upon a war that was to last six grueling years.
He realized early that the best strategy was to harass the British. He reported to Congress, "we should on all Occasions avoid a general Action, or put anything to the Risque, unless compelled by a necessity, into which we ought never to be drawn." Ensuing battles saw him fall back slowly, then strike unexpectedly. Finally in 1781 with the aid of French allies--he forced the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
Washington longed to retire to his fields at Mount Vernon. But he soon realized that the Nation under its Articles of Confederation was not functioning well, so he became a prime mover in the steps leading to the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia in 1787. When the new Constitution was ratified, the Electoral College unanimously elected Washington President
He did not infringe upon the policy making powers that he felt the Constitution gave Congress. But the determination of foreign policy became preponderantly a Presidential concern. When the French Revolution led to a major war between France and England, Washington refused to accept entirely the recommendations of either his Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, who was pro-French, or his Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, who was pro-British. Rather, he insisted upon a neutral course until the United States could grow stronger.
To his disappointment, two parties were developing by the end of his first term. Wearied of politics, feeling old, he retired at the end of his second. In his Farewell Address, he urged his countrymen to forswear excessive party spirit and geographical distinctions. In foreign affairs, he warned against long-term alliances.
Washington enjoyed less than three years of retirement at Mount Vernon, for he died of a throat infection December 14, 1799. For months the Nation mourned him.
Mt. Vernon
We felt that it was fitting to start our exploration of Washington, DC, at the home of George Washington, First President of the United States. As usual, they wouldn't allow photos of the inside of the home, but the Mt. Vernon website has a wonderful virtual tour of the rooms of the house that we visited, and you can view it by clicking here: http://www.mountvernon.org/virtual/index.cfm/ss/2/
Here we all are, taking a moment of rest in the sun (That's what ol' folk do, you know!!!)
The rear of the mansion.
These lovely children were playing on the grass at the rear of the mansion. If one looked at their attire, it would be easy to imagine the Washington children frolicking about in the same fashion.
The gardens are meticulously maintained. Apparently George Washington had a great love for his gardens, but his desire for perfect symetry really showed up here, as everything in the garden was balanced from one side to the other!
Washington's VehiclesGeorge Washinton had several horse-drawn vehicles. Slaves, including Joe, a driver, and Jack, a wagoner, took care of the Mount Vernon Vehicles. Travel during the 18th century was difficult. Poorly maintained roads meant that even short journeys were hazardous and that the vehicles wore out quickly. Coach houses accommodated the variety of vehicles which Washington used for travel, including a small coach similar to this one. Both this example and Washinton's coach were made by well-known Philadelphia carriage makers David and Francis Clark.
The SmokehouseA large supply of meat was necessary to feed the Washington family, their many guests, and the large number of slaves and servants at Mount Vernon. Small animals such as fowls and fish could be eaten before they spoiled, but larger animals, including hogs and cows, had to be preserved to last through the winter monmths. After slaves salted or pickled the meat, they hung it on the rails inside the smokehouse above a smoldering fire set into the pit in the center of the building. For long-term storage after smoking, the meats remained hanging or were packed in barrels filled with ashes. Makes you appreciate our modern day freezers!!!!!
The Paint Cellar
"Let the Oil and paint be put into some secure Cellar....." George Washinton to manager William Pearce, December 4, 1796 Maintaining the Mansion and outbuildings with fresh coats of paint was a continual, labor-intensive process. Tom Davis wa one slave often called upon by George Washington to maintain the red roofs and white siding of Mount Vernon's many buildings. Paint was an expensive commodity in 18th-century America and was imported in powder form which was then hand-mixed with linseed oil just before use. When not in use, the oils and leftover mixed paints were stored here for safekeeping. Some of the rooms in the mansion were painted a very deep green color. This was one of the ways that the wealth of the owner of a mansion was displayed, as the tints to make the deep base colors were very expensive.
The Stable
"The General himself ... breaks in all his own horses, and ... he is a very excellent and bold horseman, leaping the hightest fences and going extremely quick ..." Marquis de Chasteflux, in his journal, November 26, 1780.
The stable area was a hub of activity at Mount Vernon. Six slaves worked here, including Peter Hardimon, whose talent with horses and mules greatly impressed George Washington. Peter oversaw the feeding and grooming of Washinton's horses as well as those of visitors, the cleaning of harnesses and saddles, and the collecting of manure for later use as fertilizer. An avid rider and fox hunter, Washington paid careful attention to the housing and care of his horses. Martha Washington shared this interest and believed in riding as a form of exercise for women.
As was common of the era, the kitchen was located outside the mansion. The reason for this was simple... in case of fire, the smaller building housing the kitchen would be easier to control than the big house, and therefore would not take the whole mansion down in flames with it.
Inside the kitchen.
The Wash House
Vina and Dolsey were two of the slave women who worked as many as six days a week washing the laundry that belonged to the Washingtons, their guests, and some farm managers. They boiled water in a hot-water stove and plunged the laundry into the steaming water. The women then hand-scrubbed the fabric with soap made of lye and animal fat, rinsed the laundry, and dried it in the laundry yard. The washerwomen used irons heated in the fire or a large wooden mangle to press the laundry. It was a hot, dangerous, and difficult job' the slaves had to carry twenty-five to thirty buckets of water for each load of laundry.
One of the many fields on the plantation.
This tree was planted when George Washington died. It will always have the view that he most enjoyed when he was living.
The Tomb of George and Martha Washington
Originally George and Martha Washington, along with twenty other family members were interred in the "old vault". In accordance with his will, Washinton directed the building of a new tomb. The Washingtons were removed to the New Tomb in 1831.
"The family vault at Mount Vernon requiring repairs and being improperly situated besides, I desire that a new one of Brick, and upon a larger Scale, may be built at the foot of what is commonly called the Vineyard Inclosure...." excerpt from the Last Will and Testament of George Washinton, July 1799.
Paying our respects to the First President of the United States of America.
Above the tomb is inscribed simply: "Within this Enclosure Rest the remains of Gen' George Washington."
The Paint Cellar"Let the Oil and paint be put into some secure Cellar....." George Washinton to manager William Pearce, December 4, 1796 Maintaining the Mansion and outbuildings with fresh coats of paint was a continual, labor-intensive process. Tom Davis wa one slave often called upon by George Washington to maintain the red roofs and white siding of Mount Vernon's many buildings. Paint was an expensive commodity in 18th-century America and was imported in powder form which was then hand-mixed with linseed oil just before use. When not in use, the oils and leftover mixed paints were stored here for safekeeping. Some of the rooms in the mansion were painted a very deep green color. This was one of the ways that the wealth of the owner of a mansion was displayed, as the tints to make the deep base colors were very expensive.
The Stable"The General himself ... breaks in all his own horses, and ... he is a very excellent and bold horseman, leaping the hightest fences and going extremely quick ..." Marquis de Chasteflux, in his journal, November 26, 1780.
The stable area was a hub of activity at Mount Vernon. Six slaves worked here, including Peter Hardimon, whose talent with horses and mules greatly impressed George Washington. Peter oversaw the feeding and grooming of Washinton's horses as well as those of visitors, the cleaning of harnesses and saddles, and the collecting of manure for later use as fertilizer. An avid rider and fox hunter, Washington paid careful attention to the housing and care of his horses. Martha Washington shared this interest and believed in riding as a form of exercise for women.
As was common of the era, the kitchen was located outside the mansion. The reason for this was simple... in case of fire, the smaller building housing the kitchen would be easier to control than the big house, and therefore would not take the whole mansion down in flames with it.
Inside the kitchen.
The Wash HouseVina and Dolsey were two of the slave women who worked as many as six days a week washing the laundry that belonged to the Washingtons, their guests, and some farm managers. They boiled water in a hot-water stove and plunged the laundry into the steaming water. The women then hand-scrubbed the fabric with soap made of lye and animal fat, rinsed the laundry, and dried it in the laundry yard. The washerwomen used irons heated in the fire or a large wooden mangle to press the laundry. It was a hot, dangerous, and difficult job' the slaves had to carry twenty-five to thirty buckets of water for each load of laundry.
One of the many fields on the plantation.
This tree was planted when George Washington died. It will always have the view that he most enjoyed when he was living.
The Tomb of George and Martha WashingtonOriginally George and Martha Washington, along with twenty other family members were interred in the "old vault". In accordance with his will, Washinton directed the building of a new tomb. The Washingtons were removed to the New Tomb in 1831.
"The family vault at Mount Vernon requiring repairs and being improperly situated besides, I desire that a new one of Brick, and upon a larger Scale, may be built at the foot of what is commonly called the Vineyard Inclosure...." excerpt from the Last Will and Testament of George Washinton, July 1799.
Paying our respects to the First President of the United States of America.Above the tomb is inscribed simply: "Within this Enclosure Rest the remains of Gen' George Washington."
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