St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-04-05
A LEGACY OF LOVE
Ladies in Care Of the Home
Of Washington at Mount
Vernon.
A Labor Of Patriotic Love and
the Ladies Devoted
to 1t.
How the Plan Was Con-
eeived and Carried Into
Execution.
Regent for Minnesota and
How This State Has Con-
tributed.

| thousands of Americans who make the
excursion to Mount Vernon to do honor
| to the memory of the nations hero, but
| few, comparatively. understand clearly
| by whom and in what manner the place
is kept up and preserved III its present
| attractive condition.
Mount Vernon was owned by the
Washington family until 1859, at which
date it was bought by the Mount Yer
non Ladies Association" The young
owner, John Augustine Washington,
not having the means to keep the estate
from falling into dilapidation, and be
ing greatly annoyed by the thousands
of visitors, applied to congress to buy
1t. The application was unsuccessful.
Then it was that a woman conceived
the idea that the women Of America
should buy the home and tomb of WASH
lngtOn, and that the nation might own
it. 1t originated in this way. | will
give the story as related by Miss Gun
ningham.
As she and her mother were sailing
down the Potomac one summer evening,
and being deeply impressed by the
tolling of the bell As the boat passed
Mount Vernon, the conversation turned
naturally upon the memories connected
With the sacred spot, and the rumors of
its probable sale. The elder lady then
said: "What a beautiful thing it would
be If the women of the country could
organize and purchase Mount Vernon,
and hold it always for the country
The suggestion of the mother
was acted upon by her daughter,
Miss Ann Pamela Cunningham, who
although a lifelong invalid, was a
woman of bright intellect and great ell
ergy. Miss Cunninghams home was
South Carolina, and when she reached
Charleston she consulted able advisers,
under whose counsel, aided by that of
Judge Berrien, of Georgia, it was deter
mined to apply to the Virginia legisla-
ture for charter, and so include in the
association thus incorporated, represen-
tative women from all sections of the
country. This was done, and Mrs. Eve,
of Georgia, was appointed the first vice
regent.
Virginia was the second state organ
lied by the appointment of Mrs. Anna
Cora Richie as vice regent. Miss Gun
ningham was appointed regent. And
so the work went on, state after state
by degrees being brought into line I'M
til the purchase was completed.
In every state OF the Union patriotic
and active women were selected to raise
funds for the purchase, which was ac-
compliShed just before the late civil
war.
To Massachusetts belongs the honor
of having contributed the largest
amount towards the purchase. In ad-
ditiOn to over $4,000 collected IN the
state, the accomplished scholar and
statesman, Edward Everett. contributed
S6S,000, the result of his Grafton on Wash
ington and of his articles written in the
New York Ledger. And next came
New York, with nearly $50, 900, and SO
on, each state according to its wealth
and Importance. At that time Mime
sofa was young and not possessed of
much wealth, but through the eXertions
of the late Mrs. III. Ii. Slbley, S362 were
contributed.
The mansion and appendages and 200
surrounding acres of the Mount Vernon
estate were bought for the sum of
100000.
What the association most desires at
present is that the endowment fund may
be increased to such All amount as will
authorize the complete restoration and
secure the future support of the estate.
In this event the entrance fee, which is
as yet a necessity, could be dispensed
with, and sight of the home Of Wash
lngton be free to all, i'll accordance with
the spirit OF the Republic.
Upon the breaking out of the Civil
War the work of restoration. which had
already begun, was of necessity stopped,
and it was not until peace had been
established that the regent of the asSO-
citation went to reside at the mansion,
and, with the assistance of a secretary,
had general supervision of affairs. 1t
was no slight task for the small band of
patriotic women who met annually at
Mount Vernon to devise ways and
means. The utmost dilapidatiOn pre-
vailed, and funds were scarce. How
ever. through their patient efforts
and life long devotion to the
work SO nobly planned, the home of
Washington was saved, and nations
gratitude is their reward. Most of the
original members have passed away,
and those who have been appointed to
fill their places feel the sacredneSs of
the trust.
No appointment was made from this
state until at the council of 1889. when
Minnesota. together with Colorado and
California, were taken into the aSSOcia-
ton. More than quarter of q century
has passed since we have been called
upon to contribute. At that time Min
neSOta was poor and struggling. To-day
she is prosperous and important. May
she take more worthy position among
tl4C olSfttS III tue llSS VI COlltliUuiOIS.
The pOsSeSsOrs of Mount Vernon are,
by an act of Incorporation passed by the
Legislature OF Virginia, the women of
the land who contributed the purchase
money, and who constitute the Mount
Vernon Ladies' association" Under
this act of Incorporation, the Mount
Vernon Ladies' association was organ
lZed by the appointment Of Miss Ann
Pamela Cunningham to be regent for
life, having for her associates
in the management number
of vice regents, not more than
one from any one state, and nomi-
mated by the regent. "These constitute
an executive committee, to whom is IN
trusted the entire control and manage
ment of the affairs of the association
The vice regents and regent hold the
same relation towards each other as that
OF the national senate and the president
of the republic. Her nominations may
be confirmed or rejected ty the vice
regents
The number of states represented in
the association ut present are as fol-
lows:
Regent-Mrs, Lily L. Macalister Laughton,
Penn.
Vice Regents-Mrs. Margaret Sweat. Maine;
Mrs Cornelius King. Vermont; Miss Alice
LOngfellow. Massachusetts: Mrs. Abby ".
Chace, Rhode Island: Mrs. Susan Hudson,
Connecticut; Mrs. Justine V r. Townsend.
New ork; Mrs. Nancy W. Halsted, New
Jersey; Miss ComegyS, Delaware; Miss Emily /
l.. Harper, Marvland Mrs Mary T. Barnes. /
Washington. d. c.; Mrs. Emma r. Bail Viz /
glnia: Mrs. FL, a Z. Washingtou, W. Virginia.; /
Mrs. Letitia II. W ai6eT. North Carolina; Mrs /
Lucy Il. l'ickins. eout! Carolina; Miss Ida /
y richardson. Louisiana; Mrs. Jenny A. !
Vi ard. Kansas; Mrs. Martha Mitchell, Wis |
cousin: MIR. Elizabeth \. Rathbone Michi- |
gan; Mrs MARY letter, Illinois; hrs. Fanny |
u. BAKER. Florida: Mrs Rebecca B. Flandrat |
Minnesota; Ms i'hUbe y. Hoa-st. Cali !
forliia; Mrs. Alice Hill. colorado: Mrs |
Winder. New :ismpshre
The annua! meet n of The regent and |
vice regents is held during the month |
of May at Mount Vernon, at which /
time one week is usually devoted to the I
business affair, uf the a>Socstiul!.
he Vice regent sru.u minnesota /