Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-06-21
Mt. Vernon Report.

non Ladies' Association Of the Union
convened at Mt. Vernon May 25 and
continued in session until June Cd. The
Infanta and Prince and their party Wis,
tied Mt. Vernon on the 9th, and
the officers ofthe association, who were
at that time in Washington, preceded
the royal party to Mt. Vernon and con-
Quoted them through the mansion, gar,
den and grounds. Mrs. Justine Van
Rensselaer, Townsend, regent, and the
following vicc-regents were present
Mrs. Hudson, Of Connecticut, secretary:
Mrs. Winder, of New Hampshire
Mrs. Flandreau, of Minnesota; Mrs,
Hearst, Of California: Mrs. Washing,
ton, of West Virginia, and Mrs. Ball. OF
Virginia. Mrs. Hearst kindly trans
ported the ladies down the river in the
fast-ilying yacht Tamoose.
A later boat brought Vice Regents
Mrs. Mitchell, of Wisconsin; Mrs. Ba-
ker, of Florida; Mrs. Richardson, of
Louisiana Mrs. Rathbone, of Michi.
gan Mrs. Wilder, of Georgia Mrs.
Walker, of North Carolina Mrs.
Ward, of Kansas: Mrs. Picllens, OF
South Carolina, and Miss Comegys, OF
Delaware.
The regents nominated and the
council confirmed eight new vice-re-
gents as follows: For Maryland, Mrs.
George Goldsborough; for New Jersey,
Mrs. Helen Conover; for Pennsylvania,
Mrs. Dundas Lippincott for Mississip-
pi. Mrs. s. S. Calhoun; for Missouri, Mrs.
Christine Graham; for New York, Mrs.
Philip Schuyler; for Tenne. see, Miss
Mary p. Yeatman; for Ohio, Miss Mary
Pcndleton.
The hours of the daily sessions were
from $50 a. IN. to 1870, and from 2 to 4
D. m. Each day council was opened
with devotional exercises.
The past year has been successful
and a phenomenal one at Mt. Vernon,
and the report of the regent was full OF
interesting details. She mad, seven
visits to Mt. Vernon during the year
and gave her personal attention in
every way to its welfare. Her duties
have been many and her responsible
ties great in the interim of councils.
She has sought legal advice when need
ed, and received most kind assistance
from Justice Field, who is a member OF
the Advisory Board. Forcseeing the
necessity of unusual care and very
great precaution, the council of 1882
had in advance taken every possible
means to secure the safety and preser-
walton of the mansion and grounds dur
ing the anticipated visit of the Grand
Army of the Republic encampment in
Washington last September Especial
directions were given the superintend-
ent that only safe number of visitors
should be permitted in the mansion at
any one time, the crowd to go only in
detachments; and large number OF
especial guards were appointed and es'
pecial powers were conferred upon the
superintendent in order to enforce
these securities for the safety of this
venerated structure. On the occasion
of the greatest throngs the superintend'
ent was directed to exclude visitors
from the second floor Of the mansion,
and the regent requested the command,
ing officers to appeal to the patriotic
feeling of their hosts and enforce an
observance of these necessary precau,
tons.
On one day in September there were
between 10000 and II 900 military al
Mt. Vernon, going and coming con.
stantly by boats and electric cars, and
under the efficient management OF Mr.
Harrison Dodge, superintendent, nc
serious harm was done to the home oi
Washington. The whole number ol
people visiting Mt. Vernon during the
year ending May 1st was 81 ,692.
The total receipts, including the in
terest upon the endowment fund were
SOC, ,92S.02. The total expenditures
were $50, ,1S0.59 and an investment Of
$4,000 was made under advice of Mr.
Riggs, treasurer. The endowment fund
is now somewhat over $4,000. Each
wear members of the council make in
dividual gifts to this fund, and also fol
their States, and several of the vice
regents receive the amount of theil
travelling expenses and at once turn it
over to this object, making their ser
vice to Mt. Vernon entirely labor o.
love. The regent declines any such
compensation, Notwithstanding the fire.
ouency of her visits.
The extreme severity of the last win,
ter has had some effect upon the brick
work, and the council has ordered s
thorough investigation by the most com
petent architects. In one part there
seems very slight bulge in the man
sion. and the weakness Gift be there
will be detected and corrected under
the most competent advice. No care
nor expense is spared at Mt. Vernon
and the ordinary revenue makes it nov
possible to do all that is needed to 1t!
restoration and preservation. Grea
crowds are not desired by those wht
love it best and wish its long contlnu
ance.
Each year brings added treasures Il
its store of relics. Mr.. Samuel P. Aver!
of New York, has this year presented t.
the association, through the regent,
magnificent and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
bronze bust of Washington, from th,
cast by Houdon, by Barbedienne. Mrs
Hearst, vice-regent for California, ha.
presented large and very elegant Indi,
vase, purchased at sale Of Washing
toniana.