Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-08-26
WASHINGTON'S DINING-ROOM.
Cardinals Part in the Restoration of Mount
Vernon-Yaluable Portraits of Distinguish
ed Revolutionary Patriots.
Charleston NaVs

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, and 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, and 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
The walls, woodwork and ceiling are now
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. It stood in this room in
the time of Lawrence Washington, and
was bequeathed by Martha Washington
to G. W. p. Custis, and by his daughter,
Mrs. Robert E. 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 presented those of
Gen. Thomas Sumter and Gen. Andrew
Pickens; the Cincinnati Society of South
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. A 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 mansion's
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 lofty mantel-shelf, or
which is now china clock and vases
presented by Gen. Lafayette to Mrs
Washington.
A bust of Washington wearing the in
sigma of his Masonic rank, which stand:
on pedestal made of palmetto, is the gift
of the Grand lodge, A. F. NJ, of Soutt
Carolina. The wide fireplace has brass
fender and irons of a style contem
! poraneous with the house. The small
Paned windows have elegant tapestry