The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-29
HOME OF WASHINGTON.
WHAT LADIES nArE DONE ron IT..
Tho Noun. Vernon ,Association and Their
Work, Past md ~ "sent-""Po" 'o
tho Faturc-Anf 'uai Council

Mount Vernon June "a ANU wa Commune "
session about p week
MANY COMES OF its printed II ports have been
distributed in Virginia. but no description
can fairly paint tie quaint loneliness OF TINS
sacred spot. and 40 statistics nor oinclai re-
mort can convey just idea Of the work done
by this Association
Tho restored. % we'll kept Mount Vernon of
TODAY presents strange and happy contrast
% the dilapida.on and decay That reigned
there when 1t became tho property OF the
Ladies Association. ,,:--..:. t.o..d
In the words Of one o. the virginia DoAIu
of visitors appointed by Governor Mckinney;
saThe Mace IL kept in a manner exactly suited
10 its hist0ric associations. IDe trees. inc
flowers the landscape garden, the furniture
ali bring back Mount Vernon as II was WAon
the home OF Washington" Mould lnhI aI
Vire,nians could see II IN its present spring
beauty
4 nYBT or GRATITUDE
The highest Lonors belong to the early
workers tor the purchase OF Mount NelIOn'
10 them IA due natou's gratitude. VIZ
cjnjans need not he told who were the women
who worked for Mount NeInOn IN 1895 ana ~.
They ware our most distinguished ana pest
Alas many Of them have passed away
and we now reap tho reward oi tneiI
labors When the general bOvernment "ou4u
make no apprOprlatlOn o save the nome OF
Washington f. IN decay, when the state OF
Virginia could not buy It, at call rom
daughter OF South Carolina. the noOlest
women the country over responded WIN
quick enthusiasm and raised largely Dy one
dollar contributions. v1OO,OOO. the amount laiu
Mr.. John Augustine Washington Tor inc wv"
hundred acres purchased. These names are
held in lasting honor and are inscribed IN the
records OF the Association at Mount efnoh.
TIE FIRST HEcEST.
Miss Ann Pamela Cunningham Of South
Carolina was the inst regent and served III
this Office from 1858 until 1873, whom $40 ie-
signed the Oihce.
Madame Berghmans, Of Pennsylvania. later
Mrs. Manchester Laughton. succeeded her
and served until the time OF her death. NO
yemDeT T. 1891.
Mrs. Justine Van Rensselaer, Townsend. Of
Now York is now regent pro tenn she was
appointed at q meeting held in Washington
last December.
Tho first yice-regent for Virginia was Mrs.
Anna Cora Richie. She was nominated by
the regent and confirmed by the council, and
represented an illus.rious and historic family.
Mrs Judge Thompson Mason. OF Alexandra.
succeeded Mrs Kitchic. She was nominated
bytheregent confirmed by the council. and She
represented an illustrlous and historic family
and served until her death ia 1872.
Mrs. Judge Charles Is. Ball succeeded Mrs
Mason. She was nominated by tho regent
and confirmed by the council in 1875. The fol-
lowing year Judge Ball was appointed a mem
Der Of the advisory board. Judge Ball was
great grandson OF General Washngtons
brother Charles, and he was also OF the I'M
mediate family OF Mary. the mother OF Wash
iDgiOn. Mrs. Ball, therefore, represents al
Mount Vernon the direct lneal descendants
Of both the Washington and Ball families.
gryrprNTr~ DPNTg
The first superintendent Mt Mount Vernon
was Colonel Arthur Herbert who resided
there when the resources of the Association
were most limited and when IL was struggle
10 maintain the place. His services were most
valuable. and are held IN honorable remeIn-
bTance.
The.late Colonel j. McHenry Hollingsworth
became resident superintendent in 1871 and
continued until 1854. lie brought t. Mount
Vernon rare and most enthusiastic devotion
and gave 10 II his most faithful aud earnest
services. He was an exceedingly popular OH
Ger with the public. aud his resignation was
sincerely regretted by his warm friends Of the
council.
The present superintendent is Mr. Harri-
son IL Dodge. lis efficiency is well known
and highly appreciated. The following gen
tlemen compose the advisory board. Judge
Joseph =. COmegys, Delaware Dir. Justice
Field California; the late Hon. John :. Bar
bour. Virginia Hon. Thomas J.. McCarter,
III. D.. New Jersey; Or. James c. Yelling,
Washington; George W. Childs. Philadelphia.
VIRGINIA BOARD.
The Virginia board of visitors appointed by
Governor Mckinney ~ ms follows. Colonel
j. Bell Bigger Colonel J.. q. Washington OF
Washington, ID. c. Hons. William Writ
Henry, TAYLOR Berry and j. Walton Moore.
His lxcellency Governor Mckinney and
Mrs Mckinney have received an invitation
from Regent Mrs. Townsend 10 visit Mount
Vernon on the 18th OF June the day that a
visit is expected from the Virginia board Of
visitors. The gentlemen Of the advisory
board are also invited on that day. The
place will be shown these visitors with es-
pecial care and detail. and in order that sufi-
cient time shall be given for full eXamlna-
tion the boat will return for them at later
hour after making the regular trip.
The week OF council is a busy one. All the
business of the place and all it's accounts are
then closely scanned. The work is IN charge
of committees. There are committees
Oh mansion. tomb. garden and greenhouse.
grounds library. records and finance
MANY valuable relics of Washington are
now collected at Mount Vernon. Many valu-
able books and pictures are being added 10 its
collection. Increasing crowds come annu-
aiiy The place is supported by the revenue
derived from its entrance fee twenty five
cents. and wharfage paid by boat increases
this 10 thiriy-four cents.
large revenue is necessary tomeet the con-
slant demands of the estate The river front
has washed away by action Of the river and a
stone wall has been built 10 resist the en-
croachmente of the water. An extension Of
tins is required.
There are hidden springs and occasional
land slides. and constant care Is required 10
guard against these dangers
GUARDED AGAINST FIRE.
Mount Vernon is peculiarly and carefully
guarded against danger by fire. IN 1899 the
Basshor patent was introduced This con-
sists of two clsterns with water supply OF
30. 600 gallons. and two pumps worked either
by horsepower OF hand. Thirteen hose taps
are conveniently near the building, two being
upon the portico OF the mansion Each hose
tap Is supplied with fifty feet of linen hose,
folded and protected IN terra-c Gotta Iecepta-
cies and sunk in the ground.
During the past year another remarkable
and complete ire apparatus has been placed
there A definite description OF this Will be
given after the meeting OF the council. The
present revenue of the Association affords the
means 80 meet all necessary expenses, and
there will be no stint IF expense and overy
precaution will be taken 10 insure the safety
OF this halloHed spot. The ladies' are in.
spred with "A spirit of love and devotion 10
the place. Ingenious care has been eXer-
cised 10 ascertain and % maintain the ira
dl;lons and usages of Washingtons home.
There many OF them bring their annual do
nation to the endowment fund. and some of
them hsve always declined any reimburse.
f.r -. II. 1