Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-15

anniversary Of Washington's birth. Faded
letters in quaint phraseology and other
manuscripts yellowed with age are
being scrutinized In an effort to pre-
sent Mount Vernon to Bicentennial Wis
itors In form exectly duplicating its
appearance of long ago.
That will be our contribution to the
Bicentennial Celebration" Mrs. Rich
ards said. when OUR association took
over washington home, in 1858, the
mansion and surrounding buildings
were in disrepatr and there were only
half a dozen articles Of furniture or
equipment in the house. Through the
efforts Of the vice regents, who con-
tributed their own money and raised
funds for the purpose. furniture was
bought with which to furnish the man
sion.
Bed Room Furniture Authentic.
"Unfortunateiy, not all of the furni-
ture acquired at that time was Of the
proper period. The association has
since then been eliminating the pieces
that are not authentic, so that today
every bit Of the furnishings In Washin-
toms bed room is original except the
rug.
the originals, we have substituted rep
licas No detail is being overlooked.
We hope to have the mansion looking
exactly as it did when washington lived
here, even to the curtains at the win
dows and the rugs on the noors:
Mrs. Richards said that Washington
letters and other contemporary papers
were being examined for references 10
furnishings that might aid IN restoring
the rooms TO their original appearance.
From these researches It has been
learned that brocaded curtains peeped
through the windows at visitors to the
home Of Gen. and Mrs. Washington, that
AubuSson and Wilton rugs lay on the
floors and that varied color schemes
were employed on the cloth seats Of
the chairs.
THE chairs in the dining room" Mrs.
Richards stated, were covered with
red cloth. Those in the banquet room
were Of green cloth. The parlor chairs
were covered In blue"
Brocade Gifts Received.
Several gifts Of fine old brocade suit
able for the window draperies have been
received from friends Of the asSocia-
ton, and otnCr brocades are being
sought. Mrs. Richards and O number
Of the vice regents draped pieces Of the
brocadeS at various windows yesterday,
TO study the effect. While sightseers
peered curiously from the corridors. the
women exchanged ideas as to hanging
OF the draperies and discussed their
plans with an earnestness that ignored
spectators.
The story Of the birth Of the Mount
Vernon Ladies Association Is the story
of the long struggle Of q South Caro-
lima woman TO save WaShington's home
from oblivion. Miss Cunningham, dis
tressed by the dilapidated appearance
ut h.
temptS OF John Augustine Washington
70 sell the property to Congress or the
Virginia Legislature, called on the
women Of America TO raise funds for its
purchase. Organizing the Mount Vernon
Ladies Association, she enlisted the sup
port Of prominent men and women In
all parts Of the country and, overcoming
many discouraging obstacles, finally
succeeded in raising the 5000 900 needed
10 complete the transaction, in 1859.
Believing that the thousands Of Wis
ttors to Mount Vernon would like TO
share in the privilege of maintaining
the shrine for posterity, the association
charges an admission fee of IS cents
children under 10 and special school
groups excepted)), the funds being
used TO defray' the expenses Of restor-
ing and maintaining the property.
Under the charter granted the asso-
citation by Virginia, the property VIII
revert to the State IF for any cause the
association should cease to exist"
But the worthy women OF Mount
Vernon have no intention to give up
the good work. Representing most Of
the States of the Union, they never fail
TO assemble each May at the historic
estate for the annual week-long session.
During the convention they live in the
quarters" to the rear of the mansion
and hold their meetings in the old
banquet hall OF the main building.
II feature Of the annual session Is the
inspection Of the property by the Board
OF Visitors headed by the Governor of
Virginia. Gov. Pollard and his board
are expected TO make their visit next
"Wednesday. The annual report of the
resident superintendent, Col. Harrison
H. Dodge. who has lived at Mount
Vernon for IS years, also viii be
received.