Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-22
WASHINGTON VAULT
IS TO Be MARKED.
Five Stone Monuments win
Rise Over Graves at
Birthplace.

Five stone monuments will soon be
placed over the reconstructed vault of
the Washington family at Wakefield in
Westmoreland County Va. where the
first President was born. Into this re-
built vault the Wakefield National Me-
mortal Association, of which Mrs. Harry
Lee Rust of this city is president, has
placed the remains of about so mem
bers of the Washington family. found
in scattered graves on the Wakefield
estate and in the ancient vault itself.
]. Edward Dom, jr., of this city, who
developed the plans for the rebuilding
Of the Wakefield mansion from excava-
tons and other data, has designed these
monuments. The rebuilding of Wash
ington's birthplace will soon begin. 1t
will be permanent memorial to George
Washington, to be dedicated on the oc-
caSlon OF the Nationwide celebration of
the 200th anniversary of his birth in
1882. The cost of the work is being
borne in part by private subscriptions
and in part by the Federal Government
The Wakefield Memorial Association is
cooperating with the George Washing
ton Bicentennial Commission, created
by act of Congress.
Mr.. Dom told a representative of
The Star today that the stone monu-
ments which are planned to be placed
on the mound surrounding the vault
Will each be to the memory of some one
OF George Washington's ancestors. the
central one being to the memory Of Col
John Washington his great-grand-
father, and Ann Pope Washington, his
first wife.
Byrd Presides at Meeting.
Former Gov. Harry F. Byrd of Vir-
ginia, chairman of the building commit
tee of the Wakefield National Memorial
AEc0rfa at have
Friday at the residence of Mrs. Rust, !
2lOl Connecticut avenue. when Mr..
Donn'S plans for the rebuilding of the
Wakefield birth house and the monu-
ment to be placed over the ancient
washington family vault were unani- |
mously approved 1t was announced
that the burning of handmade bricks |
at Wakefield for the reconstruction of |
the mansion In which George Washing
ton was born will begin in the near
future.
Those present at Fridays meeting,
besides former Gov. Byrd, were Lieut.. |
Col q. s.. Grant, Sd. vice chairman of |
Mr.. Dorm. Horace M. Albright. director |
Of the National Park Service of the In
terror Department and Mrs. Rust.
The monuments" said Mr.. Donn /
will be what are known as table |
stones, such as are frequently seen in
OL0 fuSAlla DuFylnB places, notably at /
Williamsburg, Va, in the churchyard /
Of the old Bruton Parish Church. For
sentimental reasons they will be of
Aqua sandstone. the stone of which
George Washington was so fond, and.
which was used on all our early build
tngs in the City OF Washington"
= Mr.. Dom said that the washington
PLY burytng ground Is located in a
at field on the banks of Bridges
3, in Westmoreland County, Va. 1t
pout q mile from the monument /
1e marks the birthplace of George
asbtngton. Here have been buried all
cestorS of George Washington, besides
her immediate relatives. AS far as
Down no burials have been made at
This spot since 1915.
Remained in Melancholy Condition,
The Washington family buryins
ground has remained through the wears 1
IN melancholy condition." said Mr..
Dom. "Abortive attempts have been
made from time to time by the state
OF Virginia and by the Colonial Danes
OF Virginia and others to make 1t look