Milford chronicle., 1931-05-08
The Coat From
WashingtOn's Own Back

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power of six certain glass cases in
the Smithsonian Institution. If this
is a harbinger of the interest in rel
les of George Washington, sure to
be more and more evidenced at he
approach of the year of the Two
Hundredth Anniversary of Wash
ingtOn's birth, the six cases at the
Smithsonian will have to be moved
to a space where larger crowds can
be accommodated.
Recently a representative of the
Division of Information and Publi-
cation of the George Washington
Bicentennial Commission watched
the thrOng one morning gathered
about these glass walls through
which all eyes were staring at the
china that once graced Washing
toms dinner-table, at his Sheraton
and Heppelwhite dining chairs, at
the eXtra-faced watch that he pre-
sehted to his wife Martha, at all that
the Smithsonian Institution possess
es that once was intimately assOci-
ated with the First President. These
crowds on the outside of the cases
were almost as much of a study as
the objects within. They were a sign
that the power of George Washing
ton to capture the interest and the
respect of these Americans of to-
day, far from waning, is rapidly on
the increase.
In one case off by itself in anoth-
er corner of the museum, it might
be said for the benefit of future Wis
itOrs to the city of Washington,
hangs the famed buff-and-blue uni
farm habitually worn by Washing
ton and portrayed in so many of his
portraits. In this particular uniform
he must have taken especial pride,
for it was the one he donned for the
occasion of his historic resignation
as General of the Army
In the same case will be seen the
flag of Washington's time as repre-
scented in this one of his ownership,
consisting of the usual bars of red
and white, but with the thirteen
stars in a circle in the blue of the
Union Jack" Also here are a gold
headed blackthorn cane, Washing
toms service sword, the sleeping
tent he used during the Revolution /
ary War presented to the inStitu-
tion by George Washington Parke
Custis), larger field tent, and the |
poles, pegs and ropes that held them
in position.
But of an Importance and an in
terest greater even that that of these .
strictly personal mementOes of
is a document that con-
fronts the visitor to the Smithson
ian Institution as he enters the very
door. This is WasRingtOn's commits
sion as General i'll Chief of the Rev
forces, awarded him by
the Continental Congress and sign
ed with the fluorish of John Han
cock, its president, and other Off
cials. That not Over-large slip of
paper is almost as price
less as the Declaration of Independ-
ence itself, for it was this commits
sion which placed in power the one
nan of the time who was capable of
putting the Declaration into practi-
,al effect.
If the awed visitor has attention
or anything else in the same case
hat contains this article, he or she
will see something as important to
history. This is the white brOcade
abe in which the infant George
was christened, not
ong after his birth in 1872. Along
With these two outstanding articles I
ire the compass used by Washing
on as surveyor in laying out his
ands about Mount Vernon, his shaw
ng mirror and raZOr-case, his medi-
line scales, his leather writing case
used during the Revolutionary
Var and looking very much like a {
modern lawyers briefcase), trays of
Sheffield silver from Washington's
lining table, and various portraits, I
miniatures and medals.
Here also are the spy-glass and
he larger field-glass used by Gen
raj Washington in his battles and
is recOnnOitring, the brass of both
f them now battered and tarnished. =
With them, in the same case, is an
bject sure to attract, especially, the -
eminine eye-a piece of embrOid-'
red velvet that once was the orna-
rented sleeve of one of Martha -
gowns.
In companion case adjoining is :
n array of the china service used :
y Washington and Martha, and by
le unending line of guests enter I
lined at their table. And with the /
ining chairs from the shops of -
heraton and Heppelwhite in an .
Lher case are tables and a large h
ing-chair which, the attendants at Il
le Smithsonian will tell you, the -
cunt Vernon Ladies' Association u
ould give much money to possess n
nd restore to their former places r
| WashingtOn's historic home be- :
de the Potomac.