The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-15
THE MT. VERNON ASSOCIATION
Interesting Opening Of The Ladies' Annual
Council.
REPORTS OF THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES
ihe New Building Project to be Revived.
muniiicent Gifts to theiAssoclation.
Virginia Board of Visitors.

AloUNA fLhNoN, VA, May H.-lSpeclal.J- !
The annual council of the Mount Vernon La
dies Association began this morning and will
continue probably till next Tuesday. OF the
twenty-fouF States represented in the council
there were present at this session seventeen
members.
Mrs. l.. Nj. Langston, who is the regent.
sat at the head Of the council board to-day
and there were with her the following vice
regents; Mrs. Ball Of Virginia, Miss Emily
Harper Of Maryland, Mrs. Pickens
of South Carolina, Mrs. Walker of
North Carolina. Mrs. Rathbone of
Michigan, Mrs. Woodward of Kentucky,
Mrs Winder of New Hampshire, Mrs.
Flandreau of Minnesota. Mrs. Hill Of Colo
radO, Mrs. Hudson of Connecticut, Mrs.
Sweet OF Maine. Mrs Townsend of New
York. Mrs. Richardson of Louisiana, Mrs.
COmegys Of Delaware and Mrs. Barnes of
the District of Columbia. Mrs Washington,
the vice-regent for West Virginia, arrived late
in the afternoon after tresome journey
from her home IN Canada, being detained a
day by missing a train. She was warmly
greeted by her colleagues and was in time to
enter in the practical discussion Of the days
business.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
To-day's sessions have been entirely taken
up with the reading of the minutes of the last
Council, the hearing of reports OF the various
committees, the reading of the regents re-
ports, and the preliminary items of the an
nual statements of the supeunteudents and
head gardener. While none of these things
have been discussed in detail they show that
Mount Vernon is prosperous financially. and
that the entire estate IS in a splendid cOndi-
tion; all OF which shows the thoughtful care
and the business-like methods with which II Is
conducted. Each member of the Council has a
years work of gratifying and energetic effort
70 show, and this Is especially true OF the
vce-regents of the two Virginias, who have
Just bit more pride If 1t were possible. in
sacredly guarding this cherished spot IN
Virginia soil. As is their custom, both Mrs
Ball and Mrs. Washington have been able to
secure valuable relics and similar treasures
which, through their efforts, will ornament
the home of Washington.
PROPOSED NEW BUILDING.
In fact, so far as gifts go, the Association
has been greatly enriched during the last few
months, and this acquisition OF valuable relics
has revived the project of building a ire-proof
building, where they could be safely kept and
conveniently displayed. This building has
been talked o, er for several years and there Is
every possibility that during the coming sum
mer it Will be built. It's location viii be
DEODdDly on INC ldIlQ Oh Aut ltll Vi llib ulau-
sion facing the Potomac river which Mr.. Jay
Gould bought and presented TO the assOcia-
ton three years ago.
Mrs. Hearst. the vice-regent for California.
has been munifcent in her gifts. She has
paid for the construction and maintenance of
a telephone line between Alexandria and
Washington, and has had built a cOmmodious
shelter on the wharf by which pilgrims TO
this Mecca are protected from the weather.
QUAINT AND PRIMLY LAID GARDEN.
The garden never looked prettler and is a
subject of special pride 10 the ladies' 1t is
also a source of considerable revenue, as clip
pings from the old-fashiOned flowers from
this quaint and primly laid ont garden are
sold 10 visitors and sent to all parts of the
country as well as abroard.
With singular fitness Mrs. Washington and
Mrs. Ball are members of the tomb COM
mittee, and 1t is their well-attended-tO duty to
see that it and everything about IS kept IN
perfect order The floor of the tomb around
the marble tOmbs has been covered over with
small gravel by their recent order which is
thought to be more in keeping with its
general look.
Mr.. George w. Childs, who s on the adj
ylsory committee. las lately presented the
proof sheets of WashingtOn's farewell adj
dress. 1t is handsomely mounted on a re
yolving pedestal and frame, and was exhibited
to-day 10 the assembled regents.
The Virginia Board of Visitors are expected
at Mount Vernon on Saturday