Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-24
Written for The Evening Star.

AND PLUCK.
Written for The Evening Star
1t is singular fact that almost nothing has
been published concerning the character and
extent Of the work undertaken by the women
Of Virginia for the worlds fair and vet the
story of their achievement will make a unique
chapter in the history of courageous endeavor.
When the meager appropriation of S25, 900 by
the state for its exhibit at Chicago was an
nounced and it found that from this de-
cision there could be no appeal as there would
be no extra session of the legislature, the
women Of the Virginia worlds fair commission
with the bravery of despair resolved to supple
ment that humiliating and unworthy fund by
such accessions might accrue from their own
united and heroic efforts until a creditable
representation of the mother Of states was in
sured
As soon as this patriotic resolve was an
nounced the question arose as to what could be
afforded in the way of state building that
would not appear as pitiab!e confession of
unvillingness or inability to rank with her
sister states in this colossal exposition and the
suggestion that Mt Vernon should be COM
pletey reproduced as the repository of Vir-
ginia treasure was promptly adopted.
TO REPRODUCE MOUNT VERNON.
An application to the regents of Mt. Vernon
for the privilege OF proceeding with this work
was made and their hearty consent, with the
promise of affording every facility for its faith
full prosecution. was given. In July, 1892. the
work Of raising the Mt Vernon Columbian
Memorial Association fund of not less than
Sl5,O 600 was begun In August ball at the
White sulphur for this object gave an impetus
to the movement and since that time the active
and unceasing efforts OF the women of the
ST h,or hon 4
to the fund.
On Thursday evening, December Is, at a.
meeting of the Virginia board of worlds fair
managers in the parlors of the Metropolitan
Hotel in this city, the secretary reported over
$1,000 in the treasury OF the Mount
Vernon fund and expressed the conf
dent belief that the proposed amount
would be reached. On the following day mem
bers OF the board visited Mount Vernon as
guests of the regents and were cordially and
efficiently aided by Mr.. Harrison Dodge, man
ager In charge, and his courteous assistants in
making list OF the articles of furniture in
each OF the seventeen principal rooms, with
reference to reproducing their appointments as
completely rs possible in the Mount YER
non. Fortunately for the completeness of the
idea of Virginia colonial mansion two state
lots, left unoccupied lie contiguous to the Vir-
gina lot and supply the grounds abont the
building necessary for its effec tiveness. and the
location being slight elevation gives desir-
able view OF the lake in front
THE BUILDING
is already under roof and will be ready for fur
niture and exhibits in March.
The following description of valuable colonial
and historical loans for the building has Just
been published by the energetic secretary Of
the state board, Col. I. G. Morton. in the Rich
mond Dispatch: In the banquet hall, where
nov hangs a large oil painting of Washington
diva hxyh iax Ill A.
fine painting by Pesle. which has been rendered
as a loan by the Carriers of Shirley, on the
James. This has been accepted and is most
valuable acquisition. 1t was secured BY Mrs
Beale and Mrs. Drewry on recent visit to
Shirley.
In the entrance hall over the door inside there
rested in Washington's time two bronze lions.
These have been discovered in the possession
of an antiquary and have been secured by Miss
Elizabeth Borst of Luray. They will occupy
the corresponding position in the Mt. Vernon
state building quaint old sideboard stands
in the family dining room. which will be appro-
priately Represented in the state building by
an old sideboard now in the possession of Rev.
Alexander Sprint, and which in Thomas Jeffer-
sons time was part OF the furniture of the
Monticello dining room. This sideboard was
some years ago discovered in the back yard OF
the old stone church manse in Augusta county
while Mr.. Sprunt was pastor there. 1t had been
used by his predecessors as a hen hatchery and
BY him was rescued from Its ignobie use re-
paired and restored to dining room service.
LEWIS OF THE ''FoRLoRN HOPE"
An oil painting of Gen. Lewis of the ''forlorn
hope" at Stoney Battery will be loaned to adorn
the walls Of the banquet hall by Mrs. Rober.
Douthat, formerly OF Wyanoke, one of the old
colonial homesteads of the lower James.
Two valuable antique chairs for furnishing
Mrs. Washingtons bed room are loaned by the
HarrisOps of DraO1op A oil b;,l
post curtain bedstead. an exact counterpart of
the one now standing in Washngton's chamber
and upon which he died, which once belonged
TO Gov. James Preston. Mrs. Beale's grand
father, and which hls been discovered in the
garnet OF her former home in Montgomery
county, will represent the Mt. Vernon bedstead
in the death chamber Of the Father of his
Country at Chicago. A Mt Vernon mirror and
old high clock, loaned by Miss Rixey of War
renton, will be used in furnishing the Lafayette
room.
Mrs. Drewry Of westover will furnish col
lection of photographs by Cook of this city of
the notable old colonial homes on the lower
James. which will be used to ornament the walls
of the new Mt Vernon. Mr.. Cook proposes to
visit that section of this state after the holidays
to get up this work.
OTHER ANTIQUE ARTICLES.
A number of such other articles as Chippen-
dale tables, corner cupboards. high-back Wind
sor chairs for the front portico, old dressers,
pianos, portraits, wall tables. bedsteads.
pier tables, sofas, rare old pictures and
paintings, &C., have been secured and many
more will be yet needed to complete the fur
nishing Of the Virginia exposition building
which by the time the worlds fair closes will
be almost as historical as the original Mt. YER
non home.
WORK DONE By THE WOVEN.
The writer has secured most interesting col
lection of prehistoric Indian remains OF yir-
ginia's early occupants, which has been scientifi-
cally labeled and classified and is Of especial value
to archaeology and will have a poetic interest
In connection with the Luray cave exhibit. as
the mound from which many of the articles
were taken is near Luray and recently opened.
In addition to this patriotic and poetic sort
OF work much Of strictly practical and BUSH
ness nature has been accomplished by this I'M
firing band Of workers. Ma. John s. Wise
one of the two U. s. lady managers for yir-
GINA, has secured reduced rates for Virginians
over several of the principal western railroad
lines, and is now doingmuch to recommend the
Womans Dormitory movement to the people Of
the state.
Mrs. Kate Green Paul, the other United
States lady manager las been indefatigable in
her efforts to promote every interest Of her ma
tive state, and among her many labors she has
classified and prepared list Of over 8 1000
books by Virginia authors, not including any