Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-19
MEETING TO VOICE
Wakefield PLANS
Taft, Fess, Swanson, Page
to Speak at Memorial Ses-
sion on Friday.

The Wakefield National Memorial
Association will hold special cele-
bration of George Washington birth
DAY at Memorial Continental Hall Oh
Friday evening at O'clock
John Barton Payne. chairman OF
the American National Red Cross, Will
preside and the speakers will in
clude Chief Justice Of the United
States William Howard Taft Senator
Simeon ID. Fess Of ohio, Senator
William Tyler Page. clerk of the
House. Invocation will be pro-
nounced by Bishop James l.. Freeman
and benediction by Rev. J. j. Burke,
Z: S. =. The Marine Band will fur
nish the music, and Representative
Clifton A. Woodrum of Virginia will
sing "Recessiona,," Garry Me Back
to Ole Firginny" and America" He
VIII be accompanied at the piano by
Mrs Christine Nelson Chindblom.
The. Wakefield National Memorial
association was founded on June II
last year to preserve the birthplace
IN Westmoreland county, Va, of
George Washington and the home OF
his ancestors in America The asso-
citation feels that Wakefield should
and Mount Vernon are.
The association is purchasing sew
enty acres of the original estate of
the Washingtons at Wakefield and
mas made part payment on the land.
II Is the intention to rebuild the
birthplace Of Washington. which was
burned during the revolutionary war
In confagration which started in a
pile of leaves swept by the servants
to clear the path to the house.
Near the house is cemetery which
contains many of Washington's rela-
tives. Owing to a colonial law still
in force. this graveyard cannot be
bought, but the association has
bought fifty feet tf ground surround
Ing II and thir-S feet of right OF
way to the stat, TOAD and intends to
restore complete.f this cemetery and
the vaults of ashington's family.
The Colonial Danes made a restora-
tton of the wall and vaults a number
OF years ago.
Sixty-Fivo Miles From Capital.
Wakefield is sixty-five miles from
Washington. The estate is composed
of woods and pastures and its two
plateaus overlook the Potomac for
seven miles. Washington left Wake
field at the age of four, but later
returned and was educated there.
The estate was inaccessible until
Representative Rland of Virginia
some time ago succeeded in having
road from TIE state highway to the
estate.
Mrs. Hrrry Lee Rust, ST., who is
chairmaI of the memorial associa-
ton AID descendant of George
NashUgton's griat- great grand
father, is presenting to the associa-
tior. the only piece ot furniture res
cued fr nm the fire at Wakefield. 1t
IS ,on a tip table upon which Washing
Robert Fulton at one time used the
table as drawing board. Under
meath the table Is its history on
yellow parchment written by Sara h
Tayloe Washington, the great-niece
Oh AnericaS 1rSt president.
Graves in Cemetery.
The association hopes to extend its
ownership and preserve the entire es-
tate of 1000 acres and the cemetery,
IN which the following tomb inscrfp-
tions may be found
Col. John Washington of Wharton
Lawrence Washington, eldest son
Died-1697."
Here lies the body of John Wash
mgton. eldest son to Capt. Lawrence
years"
Also Mildred Washington, who died
me 9TH of August. 1895. The eldest
rs htei VI sara W aShlngton."
In memory of Augustine Washing
ton, iatnsr OF George Washington.
Born in the year 1894. Died May IL,
Here lies the body Of Jane, wife Of
augustine Washington. Born at Popes
SreeR. Virginia. Westmoreland, We cath
Of 10th month, 1896, and died We 24th
OF 9th, 1873. Who left behind her two
sons and one daughter"
An inn will be built near the estate
10 accommodate visitors
because it felt that the birthplace of
the father of the nation was left in
entire neglect. and went to work
promptly because of a large invasion
vi shooting and fishing clubs into
Westmoreland county '"
Tickets for the meeting in Memorial
continental Hall may be had free ty
making application to Mrs. II. L. Rust
ST., 2400 10th street. i'o'''