Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-13
MOUNT VERNON'S REGENTS
Extending Oourtesies to Gov. 0'Ferrall on
Historic Ground.
The Many Improvements Made ~
WashfngtOn's HOme-One Lady
Makes o Complaint.

to town till tomorrow afternoon. 1t has
been a busy session, and will continue 30
till the end.
Mrs. Justine Van Rensselaer, Townsend OF
New York. the regent. presides at the
daily meetings, and the vice regents present
are Mrs. Barnes Of this city. Mrs. George r.
Goldsborough. representing Maryland; Mrs.
Elizabeth A. Rathbone of Michigan, Mrs.
Letitia H. Walker Of North Carolina, Mrs.
M. ]. NJ. Sweat Of Maine. Mrs. e. B. WASH
ington Of West Virginia. Mrs. Emma r.
Ball of Virginia, Mrs. L. H. Pickens OF
Connecticut. Mrs. NJ. T. Letter Of Illinois.
Mrs. ]. NJ. Ward Of Kansas, Miss Alice
Longfellow Of Massachusetts,. Mrs. l: A.
Richardson Of Louisiana, Mrs Alice Hill OF
Colorado. Mrs. Baker of Florida, Mrs. Dun
das Lippincott of Pennsylvania, Miss Mary
Lloyd Pendleton Of Ohio, Mrs. Francis Con-
over Of New Jersey, and Miss Mary Polk
Yeatmans of Kentucky.
The week has been taken up with detailed
discussions of the reports of the regent and
OF the superintendent, Mr.. Harry Dodge,
and today the ladies are talking over the re-
port Of the treasurer of the association. Mr.
E. F. Riggs. The general air of prosperity
which has prevailed around and about the
home Of Washington of late years has in
creased during the past twelve months
Visitors are impressed with it from the
moment they land. either at the wharf or
at the railroad station. From the station
to the steps Of the mansion along the
graveled walks there has been laid a path
of broad stone flags. Mrs. Dundas Lippin-
colt, the vice regent Of Pennsylvania, bore
the cost Of this im provement, and nothing
better could have been devised for the COM
fort Of every visitor. The ordinary work OF
restoration, which has been going on from
year to year. has been continued. the more
special branches being paid for by the vice
regents, either out of their own pockets or
from contributions in their states. Mrs.
on ret Fri tod ha IN draf In
tract Of land on the river front, but the
association next year intends to have a water
wall built to preserve the river front from
further destruction
The Old Coaches.
The old coach house. with its generous
provision for the storage Of carriages, has
been restored to what it was in Washing
toms days. and now the ladies want to COM
plete the illusion by replacing one or more
Of the family coaches in their accustomed
places. They have some information that
these ancient vehicles are still in existence,
and they hope for the same good luck In
securing them that they have had In getting
together other important relics of the father
Of his country. So many genuine relics,
both in the way of furniture and personal
belongings. have been either given or loaned
that the rooms of the mansion now look
as full as formerly they were barren of all
these interesting things. Mrs. Charles Con-
dressing case in lacquer work. pocket
toilet case and beautiful ivory fan. all Of
which belonged to and We're used by Martha
Washington. She has also given to the as
ISOLATION two handsome silver lamps, which
originally stood on either side Of the mantel
in the old banquet hall.
The old spinning house has been restored
and Is now one of the most interesting
places about the grounds Mrs. Ward, the
vice regent for Kansas, stood the expense
the money having been collected from the
school children Of her state. The front
room has a rag carpet, a number of large
loom. all of which once made music and
ma terial for Mrs. Washington. The small
rooms In the back of the house have been
fitted up by vice regents, named for their
states and during the council are occupied
by them. Some of the furniture was once
| used at Mount Vernon, but the most of 1t
Is OF the same period and was used in
! other historic homes.
The Governors Visit.
The council did little or no business yes
terday, the time being given up to the re-
ception and entertainment OF the governor
OF Virginia. A clause in the charter Of the
association makes 1t binding on the oc-
cupant Of the gubernatorial chair of Vir-
ginia once year while the council Is in
session TO visit and personally inspect the
property. 1t was Gov. O'Ferralrs first Of
fetal visit yesterday, and ne was accom-
panied by Col Robert Washington and Mr.
Taylor Barry, who were named by the leg
fslature for this duty. Mrs. OFerraIl ac-
companied the official board also. Mrs.
Townsend. the regent, and her associates,
after welcoming the governor entertained
the party at luncheon; Superintendent
Dodge afterward escorted the governor and
his aids all around the mansion and
| grounds. showing the new work and ex-
planning what was in contemplation for
the coming year. The governor everywhere
aoiN 20 al
commentator. but perhaps nowhere more
than In the old garden, where Mr.. Franklin
A. Whelan. the head gardener, and his as
sistants, were on hand to receive him.
The garden Is looking so well and has been
| such satisfactory source of revenue that
the green house committee, Of which Mrs.
| Pickens Of South Carolina Is chairman,
have been more than ever pleased with the
annual report.
In addition to the governors party, the
Maryland Council of Colonial Danes were
| there yesterday, upon the invitation Of the
regent. who is the president Of the national
society bearing that name There We're
| probably hundred Baltimore ladies' In the
| party. They made a day Of It, leaving
home at O'Clock and not reaching their
homes again until nightfall.
One Complaint.
| Their presence, with the necessary courte-
| sizes extended to them by the council had
| rather provoking side to the multitude
| Of other visitors, who wanted to see all
| there was to be seen in the mansion, and
| at the points where these ladies were hold
| ing little jublees themselves. The council
| chamber, which Is the banquet hall at the
! left of the mansion. Is just large enough
| to comfortably accommodate the ladies',
| who, during their meetings, sit around a
| big table. which is strewn with papers,
| books. &c, and into which, therefore, the
! public cannot be admitted. One lady who
was anxious to show some friends the relics
| in this room was very indignant at not be-
| ing able to do so. and freed her mind at a
| vigorous pace. One suggestion she made
| was a good one. IF these ladies want q
| place to hold business meetings in why
! don't they build office. somewhere re-
| mote from the mansion, where they would
not see or be seen by visitors. 1t Is exas-
| perating to come here and find you can't 20
| In this room or that room because the re-
| gents are there. They ought either close
| the mansion entirely to visitors during their
| sessions else hold their meetings where
| they would not interfere with the people
| who come here wanting to see all there
! Is to be seen, and who are not treated fairly
| in being kept out of any particular place,
| even If 1t is for only one week in the year -
over $4,000 visitors were at Mount Vernon
! last year, the cars bringing a thousand or
| so more than the boat. The income of the
past year. in round numbers. amounts to
| about $4,000