Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-02-17
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HNEHhENI4TS
tourists. Mt. Vernon, of course, is the Washing
ton shrine and it will continue to be that so long
as the republic enduTeS. 1t was the Virginia
home on the Potomac to which Washington took
his bride; there he made plans for his life work,
plans that were rudely shattered by the events
of later years. 1t was from that refuge that he
went forth to command the armies of the Reyo-
luton, and it was from the seclusion Of that
attractive place that he answered the call to be
President. He returned to the Old home on re-
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 are 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. 1t IS believed the
time is not far distant when a million and a half
of tourists will annually visit Mt. Vernon.
If you should happen to be in Mt. Vernon on
the 22d Of February you would, in Imagination,
see Washington as he vert about his country place
on his birthday. The very atmosphere speaks
to you of him. said Il distinguished F%renchmon.
Visitors marvel at the faithfulness with which
the buildings and their contents and the grounds
have been preserved. There have been, of ne
cessity, some requirements, but speaking in a
broad way, things are as they were when Wash
ington last looked upon them. One can almost
see the house cat coming out of the hole under
the door that led to the room occupied by Mrs.
Washington. And what Il sense of comfort one
gets as he sits in an easy chair on 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 even 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 a debt of gratitude to this society
for preserving the property. Years ago when it
was about to fall into the hands Of private spec
ulatOrs this society was formed and it has done
its work well. Many persons believe, however,
that congress should buy the estate in the name
of the government and throw it open to the public.
Always under the management of the Aid society
a nominal charge for admittance 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 now living, but
there are plenty Of descendants Of the old families
in the neighbOrhOOd who delight to talk of the
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 QEpiscopa) church in
which Washington frequently worshiped is still
occupied by the Episcopal congregation. Within
the last five years the interior of the old build
ing has been restored and today visitors may look
on the decorations precisely as 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 that Washington did Il
lot for U.S." "Ie established our public school
system says the local guide, "and he gave us our
first fire department. lie was always doing some
thing for us Foremost of the Washington show
places in Alexandria is old Christ church, OF
which Washington was Il member for some 40
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. lie will, first of all,
tell you how Washington always came up from
Mt. Vernon on horseback, followed by his faith.
full black bodyguard in a bright red uniform
how after services Washington was likely to linger
in the church-yard to talk with his country neigh
bors, and how 1t was frequently necessary for