The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-27
HISTORIC HOME
OF GEORGE MASON
interesting Description of GunstOn
Hall.
RIVAL OF MOUNT VERNON.
Manor of the Author of the Bill of
Rights. and Meeting Place of
Washington, jefferson. Adams
and other Great Patriots.

"If Madison was, as John Adams said,
tho father OF the Constitution, to Mason
We are certainly indebted for the features
which embrace sovereignty for the States
and protect the inalienable rights OF
their inhabitants" So says Fitezhugh
lee OF one of this cOuntrys great men
Of the past. George Mason. Mason was
undoubtedly one of the greatest OF those
Virginians who took so conspicuous
part in the early history Of this republic
That his name Is not more familiarity
prominent is because he was a man who.
though al the time OF perhaps unequaled
talents as a statesman. and intensely in
earnest in his efforts for the public veal,
sought not publicity for hts deed nor
Office for himself. though tho latter was
moro than once offered. He vas, for H.
stance. elected one Of the first two United
States Senators from Virginia, but ne de-
cllned the honor George Mason was ear
nest in his endeav0rs 20 establish true
repubic on this continent. more anxious
than any one OF whom history tells 10
make its principles democratic In the
trucst sense OF the word. IL IS beyond
doubt that his opinions "a expressed In
His famous bin Of rights strongly infiu-
enced jefferson when tho latter framed
tho Declaration OF Independence and his
signature was later withhold from the
Constitution OF the United States be-
cause. In his opinion that instrument did
not completely guard the safety OF the
states
George Mason built in l775 mansion
that IS after Mont Vernon. the most
historically interesting in Fairfax coun-
~. Waiter Mount Vernon and Monti-
cello. indeed perhaps the most h.stor-
cally interesting In Virginia. Fortunately
Gunston Hall has met better fate than
the majority Of this States historic land
marks which deserve 10 be preserved
with sacred care as mountains OF Ameri-
cas- history and. when Fastening 10 de-
cav what remained of the original estate
Of 1000 acres was purchased by a 81.
Louis merchant. Mr.. Joseph Specht. who.
with a reverence and regard for the ira
dtion Of the place and with the wealth 20
restore il 10 all its primal dignity and
| beauty has made n to-day one OF the
most beautiful OF the homes that grace
the banks Of the Potomac. It's broad
acres OF finely cultivated farm land do
| credit 10 the enterprise Of IT'S owner dur
| ing the short time f. has been in his pos
session. and the extensive lawns about
tho mansion exhibit a most artistic ok
| ample Of landscape gardening altogether
| I'm keeping with the dignity and age Of
| tho house and tho trees. shrubs and
| thick box hedges adornlng the sward
that fortunately have been left standing
| since planted by Col Mason.
Gr'NSTON HALL RESTORED.
| Whatever was in condition to remain
AS lt was originally stands to-day vote
all.
! he conveyed by the most fervcnt patriot
| the spirit Of the past Thus the long.
worn flights ~ sandstone steps leading to
| the porchod entrances on north and south
! fronts Of the mansion. the most beauu-
| mi external features - the house. have
weathered the hundred and fifty years
| that they have stood and arc now bat
| tered and hollow with age and long use.
Tho principal entrance 20 the house is
: on the north side. and is made through
n large. square porch. s0lidly built OF
brick and stone. with peaked roof sup
p0rted I'm front by four Doric pillars OF
stone. The front door IS crowded by a
| unette 0f glass that corresponds 10 the
arched front Of tho porch. and ON either
| side are narrow hall windows The soulh-
| ern porticO is smaller, octagonal struc-
| ture. quito classic i'm IFS grace or FORM
| In this picturesque retreat douhtless'
| col Mason was wont 10 entertain his dis
| tinguished guests Of a summer evening
when they might rest and be refreshed
| bv the cool breezes arising from The quiet
| waters Of Pohlck Bay as IL was then
| called now Gunston Cove NOT many
yards below This porch is said TO have
| beon q favorite spot. too. for quiet
| Tournament M draughts between Wash
| ington and Mason.
Tho mansion is built Of bricks that were
| imported from Scotland, and It's walls
| interior as well rs external, have the
| tbfoknesa Of three OF these very large
| blocks II IS surm0unted by long,
sweeping Virginia roof. that gives slope
10 the walls OF the chambers IN the sec
ond story.and necessitates the quaint
dormer windows that are an added Tea
ture OF attraction Four immense ntlcK
chimnevs rear themselves high above '"e
roof. from the four corners OF whlcn lhey
spring. though they have their bases in
tho immense cellar that runs beneath The
entire house. The present owner or the
mansion has built n tall observation tow
or on tho top OF the house. sacrificing
| somewhat the architectural harmony OF
the structure 20 the pleasure OF enjoying
the inimitabls landscape spread before
| one for miles below.
INTERIOR OF THE WALL.
Within. the house has the admirable
features OF the best 81 the Southern man
sions Of its time. the wide hall running
across tho entire breadth Of the house.
broken only by n fine broad staircase as
cending al one side. and I'm this case re-
Uoved half way down its length OF wall
on either side by a carved panel reach
| ing from floor 10 cornice. whore they
form themselves into two graceful arches.
| that meet In the centre of the ceiling IN
a drop i'm the form Of a huge acorn carved
| IN wood. From both sides Of the hall
enter the chief rooms of the house. the
doors curiously low I'm proportion to me
| height of the walls. with deep paneled
easements. and opening into four apart
| ments Of fine dimensions.
on the right Of the main entrance IS
what IS known as the jefferson room. as
| here there is reason 10 believe that Thorn
as jefferson consulted and talked over
with his friends and settled many ques-
ton that IS embodied ia TVS country's
laws giving more than reasonable In
dorsement 10 the popular belief that In
this room the American Declaration OF
Independence was practically framed.
The room is at present modernly fur
nfshed with the elegant appointments OF
tr1,,,s bou1oir being the sitting room