Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-08-26
wASHINGT0N'S DINING-RoOM
Cardinals Part in the Restoration of Mount
ed Revolutionary Patriots.
Charleston News.


The South Carolina room in the man
sion at Mount Vernon, the home of Wash
ington, is by far the most interesting of
any of the apartments on the first floor
of the house, and at present attracts
more attention from the throngs of sight
seers who daily, with reverent tread, pass
over its portala, than any other spot in
or about the historic old manse.
In the first place, this room, which has
SO lately received so many expressions
of South Cardinals state pride and mu-
nificence, was the family dining room
when Washington dwelt there, ard has
clustering about it memories of the
princely hospitality there dispensed, as
well as the gentle domestic life of the
usual quiet family circle. Until very re-
Gently none of the work of the restoration
which is slowly bringing back to the house
its original appearance, was attempted in
this room, which is to the right of the
broad hall dividing the house. The smoke
and dust of years had gathered on its
ceilings and walls, ana so many were the
cracks in the succeed ceiling that it was
all removed, Bit by bit it was taken down
and exactly copied in the new plaster.
painted a heavy cream shade, and a
touching of gilt in the plaster or
naments on the ceilings and about
the wide chimney pieces restores perfect
ly its original appearance. The furnish
ings of the room are in the same spirit,
though the only original pieces are the
sideboard and cutlery cases. The former
has been very handsomely restored, newly
veneered, and naturally attracts consider
able attention. 1t stood in this room in
the time of Lawrence Washington, and
was bequeathed by Martha Washington
to G.. W. p. GUSTS, and by his daughter,
Mrs. Robert Il. Lee, presented to the La
dies association.
Through the efforts of the vice regent
of South Carolina Mrs. Pickens, all the
rest of the interesting souvenirs in the
room have been secured. The walls have
been hung with portraits of Revolution
airy heroes, all handsomely framed in gilt.
The city of Charleston pre- 3ented those of
Gen. Thomas Sumter and Gen. Andrew
Pickens; the Cincinnati Society of So h
Carolina that Maj. Gen. William Moul-
trie, the ladies of Charleston that OF Gen.
Francis Marion, and the German Friendly
society of Charleston that of Baron De
Kald. portrait of Miss Pamela Gum
ingham, the first regent of the Mount
Vernon Ladies' association, who died in
May, 1875, also adorne its walls.
The dining table and the stamped
leather dining chairs have no historical
interest, but are correct copies of furni-
ture in vogue at the date of the mansions
splendor. An elegant cabinet holds tea
set presented TO Lady Washington in 1890,
and recently presented to the association
by the Hon. William A Courtenay, mayor
of Charleston. The fireplace in corner
of the room, has a lofty mantel-shelf, on
which is now china clock and vases,
presented by Gen. Lafayette to Mrs.
/ Washington.
bust Of Washington wearing the in
sigma of his Masonic rank, which stands
on pedestal made of palmetto, is the gift
of the Grand lodge, A. T. NJ, of South
Carolina. The wide fireplace has a brass
fender and irons OF a style contem-
poraneous with the house The small
PANIED windows have elegant tapestry