Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-02
WASHINGT0h'S HOME.
C. E. La Vgne Formerly Of the Reporter Writes
Interestingly OF Visit There.

LII b1OIllC1 IC1cG 4EIltl lO
his mother he continues his account
of his visit to Mount EernC nd gives
the impressions he rece q while
there, which we take the ilege Of
publishing as follows:
The old home Of George ,hington
is very plain structure. t a large
house, nor palace in a. t'itectural
design. 1t is made of d cut to
resemble stone and pair / white
Has two stories and an at Rooms
are all very small compare with the
modern residences of tOda 4 Ceilings
are low. Accompanying /; cure will
give you some idea of the sgerior and
location. l will send you : collection
of good Washington viep. later on.
The big porch that you Sc facing the
river is supported by eight plain
wooden posts. Floor of porch is small
square stones from the Isle of Wight,
set level with the gr0uEd. A long
row of odd old chairs are uere forus to
rest in while we look at the peaceful,
cool picture of foliage and trees leading
down to rivers edge, then stretching
across the broad waterwa5 and on into
the hills of Maryland fss eastward.
For, as you know, the Washington
house is located on the f4hest eleva-
tion along this neighborhood of the
Virginia shore, a site which affords
most delightful views through OPEN
ingS in the groves Of woodland.
A main hall runs through the center
OF the house from east 10 west and
divides it into two sets Of apartments.
The north end has the largest room,
which was Washington banquet hall.
The particular object OF Ornamental
tion to interest me here was the old
marble mantelpiece carved in Italy
and presented to washington by an
admiring man of wealth in London.
While the mantel was being brought
across the ocean it was captured by
French pirates, but when they learned
to whom it was being shipped, the
pirates left il uninjured and sent it on
TO it's destination. This goes to show
how our noble first president was
known and beloved in his time by
good and bad all over the world. On
a table in this room is the big plateau
of mirrored glass and silver used by
Washington foI his state dinners.
Here too are seen some OF the old
pictures and paintings, large and
small, including the woven silk
portrait Of Washington done by Stuart
in France and presented by a wealthy
club Of FrenChmen who liked our
Washington. Fifteen Thousand dol
lars was the cost of this silk picture.
Other objects in this rOom-we noted
the historic model of the Bastile sent
to Washington by La Fayette, portions
OF military uniform worn by Washing
ton. his surveyors outfit, Martha'S
ivory fan, sewing articles, dress goods
and numerous house trinketS too
numerous to detail. At the north end
OF the house is another COlonnade and
kitchen forming wing just like the
one you see in the picture on the south
end.
= Off of tue banquet dan is the east
parlor or music room containing little
Anticipated harpsichOrd or piano inn
ported from London (cost $1,000 as
bridal present from Washington to
Nellie Curtis. Funny little piano now
l must say. Other old musical in
StrumcntS. Card table on which
Washington and La Fayette played
whist. Champagne glasses, blue and
gold dishes, china set, etc, used by
the WaShingtOns. Silver heel from
slipper worn by Martha, etc, etc.
In the West parlor a handsome old
mantel and pretty old pieces OF furni-
ture. The family arms are displayed
here, also the Generals gold epauletteS.
Here we saw the white enamel chair
with pink and cream brocaded satin.
which came from the Chateau de
{ Mo Iirf n y,lo IF
carpet on floor, or rather rug, was
made by order of Louis XVI of France
and sent to Washington as token of
esteem. Rug is of dark green ground,
in the center is an American Eagle
a"d around it are the stars of our flag.
Several interesting portraits in this
room.
Ia the Main hall hang three swords
dress swords and the other one used
by him when with Braddock. On one
sword is inscribed "Do What is Right"
in, German destroyer of Despotism,
Protector of Freedom, Glorious Man.
Accept from my son S hand this sword,
[ pray thee. Theophilus Alt" The
man TheophiluS Ait was celebrated
sword maker of Prussia. He presented
the steel to Washington, as the in-
scription indicates. The key of the
BaStile, sent by La Fayette. also hangs
in the Main hall, with wall pictures of
early time and other things which |
must tell about in subsequent letters.
Stairs lead to the upper chambers
from this hall.
In the Family Dining Room is a
quaint little sideboard that is a beauty.
The liquor case is unlike anything seen
in this day. Yon see even good George
had his toddy now and then. That is,
| don't know whether he did or no,
but this liquor case was given to Lord
Fairfax by Washington. Some fine
Oil paintings in this room.
Martha Washington's Sitting
Room" is cosy place right handy to
the dining room. 1t contains unique
objects, among them being an elabo-
rate candle screen Of glass and gilt,
and a mirror which was used in the
Philadelphia house occupied by the
Washingtons. 4 framed copy of the
Washington pedigree hangs on the
wall. We would not know what some
OF the articles seen here were for If
somebody didn't tell US.
In the library we noted with inte-
rest the titles of some of the books
which made up the reading material
of our big soldier, statesman and far
mer. Washington's silver inkstand,
his silver snufferS and tray are here
1t is impossible to. mention all the
things Of curiosity that this home
offers to the sightseer.
Up stairs are the many sleeping
rooms that George maintained for his
family and friends. Rag carnatS on