The Washington times., 1923-02-22
MT.VERNONL|ES
IN CALM BEAUTY.
ON BIRTHDAY
Home Of Washington Lures
Thousands Annually in
Reverent Memory.
By KATHERINE HUGHES,
CoamOpolitan News Service.

COSMOPOLITAN News Service.
Mt. Vernon-the shrine of our
nations honor-the home OF WASH
ington-lies on his natal day in
calm beauty just as he left 1t unoer
Virginia. genial skies.
With Charlie, an old Virginia
darby on guard, looking as though
he had served Marse George in his
day-the Father of his Country lies,
as he asked to lie, in the open, by
the Potomac, facing the sunset.
The shrine of his tomb is set In
broad welcoming parklands. where
his people may come-and do come
daily and wander as they will.
For the new world was nodded by
him in love and confidence.
1t is far away from the valley
of kings where Neutrality-suspicious.
of great and almost-forgotten
dynasty-lies hidden away in des-
ert valley, with protecting walls
and seals and caverns.
Because the old world that bred
him grew in fear of enemies and
force.
Reverent Care Abounds.
Reverent care tends every stone
and wall and ivy-leaf of Mt. Yer
non. AS a measure Of safety an
electrical system which includes
even cooking has recently been In
stalled upon plans laid down by
Thomas Edison himself.
The condition of the house Is
good, it's foundations have been re-
inforced, the walls strengthened and
every sign & decay promptly re-
paired. But the house Is of wood,
and fireproof lining has been
made to transform the old carpen-
ter shop into a museum for the
more perishable relics.
This will shortly be opened to
the public. Among its treasures
Is Houdon's bust of Washington,
the finest likeness existing. Of him.
Near this is =. suit of brown broad
cloth, a well-worn vest. of velvet
and a gala vest Of white satin en-
broidered. They were worn by him
who was-and is-first in the
hearts of his countrymen.
The resident superintendent, Har-
rison Dodge, states in his last re-
port that 236,272 visitors came to
Mt. Vernon last year.
Expect Many Visitors.
This was decrease from the
previous year, when we adndtte ed
245. $40 visitors" said the Assistant
Superintendent. James Young. THAT
was the largest number coming in
any year in Mt. Vernon's history.
The largest number in one day
was over Is, 000-on the day Presi-
dent Wilson made the Birthday ad.
dress. But the largest number ever
passing the turnstile and officially
counted came once during a Grand
Army Review. There were atoHt
10000 that day."
AS 1t is estimated there are to be
thirty conventions in Washington
in the next few months the staff
at, Mt. Vernon expect many visitors
I remarked the air Of freedom and
hospitality there.
Yes" said Mr.. Young: I'VE have
few restrictions. When people pass
the turnstile they are free to move
over the lawns, through the gar
dens and in the buildings without
a guide. OF course. guards are
placed in all the buildings, but their
chief task is answering questions
The superintendent and his as
plantation office Of Washington,
years respectively guarding Mt.
Vernon. But Franklin Whelan, in
charge of the gardens and the 49,
year-old box hedges, has been there
for forty-six years, and recalls the
visit Of every President since
Grants day.
Tn the 1raanho,,sa In O toll sooo
palm. over 125 years old. It was
there in Washington's lifetime. 1t
was bought by the Sargent family
after Martha Washington death,
and but recently returned to it's
old home.
No formal register is kept for
visitors, but the report each year
notes outstanding visitors. The last
list includes Marshal Foch, General
Dtaz, Admiral Beatty, Baron Kato,
and such picturesque figures as
the president of Liberia, the Prin-
cess Fatima Sultan and the Prince
of Monaco.
Protected by Women.
Mt. Vernon's historic beauty was
saved from decay and desolation by
Pamela Cunningham, of South Caro-
lima, who reused the women of the
country seventy years ago and
founded the Mt. Vernon Ladies
Association.
In her farewell address she said:
Let no irreverent hand change
itr' Her wish has been carried out
faithfully. All remains today as
when Washington was there-the
old home-trees and gardens. A
great eagle floats above as ] leave.
A velvet-throated cardinal-bird sings
high on an elm, and the incense of
burning brushwood again heralds