Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-05-16
MOUNT VERNON.

The Mount Vernon Association
closed Its annual session yesterday and
the majority of the vice regents left for
their homes today.
As stated in the Gazette the Gov
eruor was detained in Richmond, and
but two members of the State Board Of
Visitors were at Mount Vernon yester-
day.
Mr.. B. P. Owens, In the name OF
Governor Tyler, extended a hearty
welcome to the regents and the vice
regents, as we'll as expressed the regrets
of the Governor In his inability 10 be
present.
DR.. Curry, in a few happy remarks,
commended the work of the association
nd referred with pride to the fact that
Virginia was fortunate 10 being the
sacred spot which held the entombed
remains OF the illustrious Washington.
The spacious hallway, one of the
most picturesque features OF Mount
Vernon, is now finished in most deli.
cate shade of colonial blue, with white
trimmings, while the wall near the
staircase in the ball above is papered
as it was during Westinghouse time.
This restoration was partly owing TO
az accident. While the decorators
some years ago were scraping away the
paper, after removing layer upon lay or
they came to this design next to the
wall. The precious discovery was
carefully removed. and q piece just
large enough to outline the pattern was
sent to New York decorator, who
had the same wall paper made 10
identically the same colors ard design.
The late Miss Leila Hel bert, who
succeeded her mother as vice regent OF
Alabama, cherished the hope of some
day having the hall fully restored to
the condition prevailing in the time OF
Washington.
I After Miss HerberL's death the vic O.
regent of Michigan, Mrs. Rathbone,
took up the work and carried ii
through.
Now that Texas has restored the old
, entrance to the north gate as 1t was
turing the lifetime Of Washington, with
a picturesque srchwsy and two email
houses and generous donation. steam
| heating plant, at cost of $1,000, and
an artesian we'll have been added,
there remains practically nothing to be
done In the out-of door improvements
save the restoration OF the brick wal, a
portion of the foundation of which still
remaiOs, and this ter has been con-
| sidered by the council this year as the
next Improvement.
From the original plans and drawings
OF Mount Vernon as it was 10 the Colo
NAL and Revolutionary days, brick
wall FIVE ieet in heighth forms one OF
the most conspicuous features. This
extends from the summerhouse on the
east to the stable, the entire width OF
the front lawn, and from the kitchen
on the north and from that to the ice
house still farther beyond, making q
| complete Enclosure of the front lawn,
Mira. Phoebe Hearst. the vice-regen
from California, contributes $25 ayear
to the building of the sea wall, which,
when finished, will greatly add 10 the
health and sanitation Of the place.
A number of the ladies are also snx-
ous to contribute to the improvement
Of the old Pohick Church, where Gen
eral and Mrs. Washington worshiped
much of the time. Every Sunday dur
ing the council the regent and vice-re-
gents attend this church, one Of the
old landmarks of this part of Virginia
and ably presided over by its rector, the
Rev. Mr.. Meade, grandson of Bishop
Meade.