Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1921-02-18

tourists. Mt. Vernon, OF course, is the Washing
ton shrine and 1t will continue TO be that long
the republic endures 1t the Virginia
home the Potomac TO which Washington took
his bride; there he made plans for his life work,
plans that were rudey shattered by the events
of later years. 1t was from that refuge that he
went forth to command the armies of the Revo-
luton, and II was from the secusion of that
attractive place that he answered the call to be
President He returned to the old home
firing from office, and there he died, and there
his bones lie.
When the national capital city was laid out,
and for many decades afterward Mt. Vernon
was looked upon as a long ways off, from the
capital. 1t Is only seventeen miles away. Today
there three ways of reaching Mt Vernon
by boat, by electricity, by automobile. 1t is an
easy hours travel from the business center of
Washington. With these facilities the number of
visitors has greatly increased. It Is believed the
time is not far distant when million and u half
of tourists will annually visit Mt. Vernon.
If YOU should happen to he in Mt Vernon on
the 22d of February you would, in ina gnatiOn,
see Washington as he weot about his country place
his birthday. THE very atmosphere speaks
TO you of him. said distinguished Frenchman.
Visitors marvel at the faithltlness with which
the buildings and their contents and the grounds
have been preserved. There have been, of me-
cessity some requirements but speaking In
broad way, things are they when Wash
see the house cat coming out of the hole under
the door that led TO the room occupied by Mrs
Washington And what ii sense of comfort one
gets as he sits in an easy chair the veranda
and looks out over the Potomac and across the
river to the hills of Maryland, just as Washington
did mo wonder Washington did not wish to
leave the place to be President of his coun-
try" one says to himself
The Mount Vernon Ladies' Aid society continues
TO care for the Mt Vernon home and lands The
country owes debt of gratitude TO this society
for preserving the property. Years ago when 1t
about to fall into the hands of private spec
ulators this society formed and it has done
its work we'll Many persons believe however
that congress should buy the estate in the name
of the government and throw 1t open TO the public.
Always under the management of the Aid society
a nominal charge for admlttance has been made.
Many of the visitors linger in the country about
the old Washington home. OF course no one who
knew the Washington family is living bur
there plenty of descendants of the old families
in the neighborhood who delight to talk of he
old days. The countryside has not changed much
in 100 years. Many houses built while Washing.
ton was alive still stand. Three miles south OF
Mt. Vernon the old Pohick (Episcopa) church In
which Washington frequently worshiped is stlll
occupied by the Episcopal congregation Within
the last five years the interior of the old build.
ing has heen restored and today visitors may look
on the decorations precisely they were when
Washington attended
Passing time has not served TO take away any
of the Washington atmosphere about the old city
of Alexandria. seven miles south of the national
capital and on the road TO Mt. Vernon. The first
thing the writer is told is thar Washington did
lot for U.S." "He established our public school
system" says the local guide and he gave us our
first fire department. He was always doing some
thing for us" Foremost of the Washington show
places In Alexandria is old Christ church. Of
which Washington was a member for some 10
years The church building of brick has been
preserved unchanged. The pew that Washington
occupied is reserved every Sunday for strangers
who may happen along at the service hour. The
old sexton will be certain TO relate numerous
stories of the first President He will. 1rSt OF all.
tell you how Washington always came up from
Mt. Vernon horseback followed by his faith.
ful black hodyguard In a bright red uniform /;
how after services Washington likely 70 finger
in the church-yarG talk with his country neigh
bOrs, and how X was frequently necessary for