Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-22

the house is stronger today than wher
first built.
Wherever any symptom Of weakness oc-
ours. due to natural deterioration OF
and used IN the restoration. as. for ex-
ample. the shingles recently placed on
the roof were of selected heart cypress
especially rived and OF the same dinen-
sion and shape those required by
Washington. Additional provision for
their lasting quality has been given by
proper seasoning and immersion in pre-
servatives.
Again. because the sandstone paving OF
the east portico. laid in Ess, is much
worn by the march of ages" and must
in time be renewed. the owners have gore
so far as to seek in England for the
same quarry from which Washington pro
cured them. In this too. they have been
successful. the original quarry being
found on Lord Lonsdale's estate near
whitehaven. Cumberland. Thus they are
enabled to obtain a supply of identical
paving blocks when the necessity arises
for 30 doing.
When the old screen walls" and 'Tfe
Ha fence were restored a few years ago
bricks OF the same age and size of Wash
ingtons had to be procured 90 exc out
the diminished supply of originals. Years
were consumed In this search until finally
what was wanted was discovered in the
ruins of an old house in King George
county. Va. OF cotemporaneous date.
The upkeep Of the interior finish OF the
mansion Is interesting. Where the
floors have worn out and had to be relaid
"grain-edge" pine six inches wide and of
matched joints" not tongue and
groove" was essential for proper restora-
ton. Even the flooring nails. long head
and hand wrought" had TO correspond
with the sort then in vogue. To arrive
at the actual painted tints of the wood
work. which had been changed many
times by Washington's successors. IT was
only necessary to Scrape away the sew
eral applications of paint in order TO de-
termine what the first color was. The
present gray effect is faithful copy.
An unexpected find" of inheritance in
the course Of repairs was p'ece OF the
first wall paper that had covered the
space above the main stairway. From
these fragments 1t was possible to repro
duce the old pattern. special blocks being
made for the purpose.
AS to the furnishing Of the rooms. theirs
is quite different story. Practically all
the articles Of furniture owned by Cen
and Mrs. Washington were by their wills.
disposed Of to members of the family ana
carried away.
When the Mount Vernon Ladies' Assoc
citation came into possession of the home
stead the mansion was emnty. tnceas-
ing effort has been and is being made To
recover the original things. but they are
widely scattered and held by people who
are reluctant to give them up. From time
to time, however, some of the old pieces
are offered for sale. but. general
rule, the prices asked are almost pro-
hibitive. The government purchased
number Of Washington relics many years
ago. Among the present collection at
Mount Vernon are many pieces Of furni-
ture of cotemporaneous interest which
have been accepted temporarily to I'll
vacancies In the various rooms. but
rapidly as original Washington articles
are secured the non-originals are elimi-
mated.
Until recently the owners have had
nothing definite to guide them respecting
what the rooms formally contained. but
there has now been found the inventory
made here by the appraisers of WASH
ington's effects shortly after he died
This important document will be of in
estimable assistance in accurately re-
furnishing the mansion. A special COM
mittee is studying this particular SUBJ
ject.
Studying Mount Vernon from the
viewpoint Of a casual visitor. it is diff
cult to conceive of a more charming
spot. The perpetuation is attributable
to the mana cement and devotion Of the
Ladies' Association. The founder of this
remarkable body was Miss Ann Pamela
Cunningham.