The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-07
A woMANs PATRIOTIC SOCIETY.
The Debt of the American Public to
the Mount Vernon Association.

the Mount Vernon Association.
February Housekeeper.
If there is one action above all others
for which the women of America can feel
proud, it is the preservation of the home
of Washington. How Mt. Vernon was
saved as a monument to patriotism is an
interesting story, for it was through the
formation of the oldest patriotic association
Of women now in existence in the United
States that this historice spot was pre-
served to pOsterity.
Upon the death of George Washington,
in 1893, life interest in the estate passed
to his wife. From her it fell to various
Washington relatives until, in 1855. John
Augustine Washington, jr., found himself
in possession of an historic place which
he was unable to keep in proper state of
repair. With the consent of his family
he endeavored TO effect its permanent pre-
servation by selling it to the United States
government, and, failing in this, offered
1t to the commonwealth of Virginia. 1t
was at this crisis that Ann PAMELA Cum
ningham, of South Carolina, determined
that the tomb of Washington must be pre-
served as a permanent shrine of patriot
ism.
Accordingly she organized the Mt. Vernon
Ladies' Association and appointed vice re-
gents in the various States to aid in the
work. Contributions to a fund to buy the
property were solicited, and soon every
section of the country became interested
Thousands of school children gave pennies,
proceeds of his lecture on Washington"
societies donated funds, and Mt Vernon
was saved to the Nation. In 1860 over two
hundred acres of the estate, including the
wharf, tomb and mansion, were purchased
by the association for 600 AS the sOcie-
ty was formed for the sole purpose of
acquiring Mt. Vernon, the estate can never
pass from its possession, and is owned by
it, though Virginia retains supervision over
1t. Since Miss Cunningham's death the Of
flee of regent passed through various hands
until to-day II is held by Mrs. Justin Van
Rensselaer, Townsend, Of New York. who
is ably aided by vice regents from twenty
nine States.
Though every acre of Mt. Vernon is of
interest, no spot is more fraught with
memories than the house. Every room in
the stately mansion Is filled with the spirit
been consecrated, and that this atmosphere
may be preserved, efforts have been made
to furnish the rooms with the belongings
OF Washington. For this purpose the sew
eral rooms are assigned to the care of
certain states whose regents undertake
their restoration.
NlSltOIS are naturally drawn 10 the room
In which Washington died. The vice re-
gent for Virginia has been fortunate in OBJ
tanning many original things which add to
the impreSsiveness of the spot Among
them is the four-poster bed, the trunk and
military equipments and two cushions
worked by Mrs. Washington. From the
hall, where hangs the key of the Bastile
presented to Washington by Lafayette, the
west room Is entered and Illinois has ac-
complished much to restore the original
interest. 1t contains, among other articles.
an old painting given by Admiral Vernon in
acknowledgment of the name of the estate
and rug woven by order of Louis XIV
and presented to our first President. This
music room, wherein is the quaint old harp
sichord presented by General Washington
TO his stepdaughter as wedding gift.
Delightful as these rooms are with their
atmosphere of home, they are eclipsed by
the well-prOpOrtioned banquet hall, in which
the vice regent of New York has placed
the marble mantel presented to Washington
by the English, and the browning feature of
all the household decorations, Peale's
famous portrait of Washington entitled
Washington Before Yorktown" 1t stands
out from the wall in a frame made from
hickory trees grown on the estate of Robert
Morris of revolutionary fame. This ROOM
in its expansiveness, is a striking contrast
Chippendale sideboard and china belong
ing to the mistress of the house are inter-
eSting souvenirs of the home life, another
glimpse of which is revealed in Mrs. Wash
ingtons sitting room.
That the Washingtons entertained is
shown I'm the many ways, from the ample
furnishings of the banquet hall TO the
numerous bedrooms to be found on the
second and third floors: Many of these
were spare chambers" and as each is
furnished, the visitor can see bedspreads
of the period. Wasbington's clothes and
many pieces of rare mahogany