Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-22
A VISIT TO WASHINGTON'S HOME
By a Social Corner Writer

although I remember the fireplace, hearth and mantel in this roem par ticularly, were very beautiful. There was a fine oil painting of Washington hanging over the mantel. We were al- lewed to walk about and lock at every thing in this room. The fireplace, hearth and mantel had brass railing around them as a protection. The deorways of the music room and west parior were barred, but the doors were open and we could look in as long as we wished. In the music room the harpsicoTd, a wedding present to Nell lie Custis from George Washington, WAS perhaps the most interesting thing in the room. The furniture in the west parlor and private dining room would make an antique collector green with envy -- beautlful mahogany pieces, clocks, vases, andirons, etc.
 In order to gain the front hall and staircase and not pass through the prohibited rooms, we had to go out rear door, go along the piazza and en- ter the house by the front door. l stood in the front hall in front of the case in which was Washington's sword in tently reading to whom he had left his sword, and for what purpose, only it was to be unsheathed, when my friend said there was something in the room at the left which she thought would interest me.
 We stood at the doorway of this room (we were not allowed to enter), and on the shelf was a clock just ex- actly like one l have in my own home in Norwich, which, in the course of time, had fallen to me. How proud I felt The attendant told me that room was Mrs. Washington's private sitting room.
 The first bedroom we saw after mounting the stairs was that of Nellie Custis The bureau or dressing case in this room was so beautiful that went back second time toe1ook at it. Of course, the room on this floor which we most wanted to see was Washington's bedroom. It was large room and between two, large windows through which the sun was streaming, stood the "four-p poster" with it's can opy of white. edged with white fringe. His chair and trunk were among the other interesting things in the room. We were not allowed to enter and had to wait our turn at the doorway. Climbing the steep attic stirs we 1 sought Mrs. Washingtons bedroom. It
 was a small room with a slanting front ! wall, occupied by Mrs Washing ton after her husbands death, because from its one window she could see the tomb of her husband.
 Having spent so much time in the mansion house we now sought the kitchen building. Here the huge fire place with It's oven for baking, the | pewter plates and platters on the wall and the long table in the middle of the room, for the servants, were of inter 1 est. Two women had charge of this lxr oih all with a pump; here were sanitary l drinking cups, the only modern thing l noticed upon the place.
 l The carriage house. a building by it. 1 self. we next visited. Here was the l family coach, a cumbersome affair with 1 three steps to climb in order to enter l We next found the old tomb; there l was no attendant there and we did 1 not finger, as we were anxious to see | the new tomb. The driveway and 1 paths, and, in fact, the whole estate 1 as far as we could see. was beautifully | kept, and as we walked down the path 1 which led to Washington's tomb, I told
 my friend they were right in not al- 1 lowing anyone to bring lunch into the l grounds. for while we would not throw
 papers, etc, around, some people might
 and my friend agreed with me. The l | bars and so were able to see inside, Al
 the right Gas you faced the gate) en-
 closed in white marble q judged il
 was nlarble), lay all that remains oi Gen. George Washington. At the left
 his wife, Martha Washington. Between
 them, but nearer the right, was a largt
 form of beautiful roses-fresh that
 day. The attendance here was an olt 1 colofed man.
 At the left of the tomb was a. grow
 Of trees, some of them planted by eel.
 ebrated men of this and other coun.
 tries, We left the old darky waIkine
 back and forth In front of the tomb. l
 was time for us to go; we had spent { l delightful day, and as we walked bacl l through the box-boPdered garden.
 told my friend that If I saw nothins
 else while in Washington, should gt
 back to Norwich perfectly satisfied I having gea95 Ma11Ft