Evening star., 1932-03-13

cha ming and historic mansions in
America, has Just been presented
to the State of Virginia by its
owner Mr.. Louis Hertle. About 20
years ago Mr.. Hertle bought the
lovely decaying mansion that had been built
about 1850 by George Mason, the great Virginia
patriot and statesman and author of the
famous Bill of Rights, the forerunner of the
Declaration of independence.
With the sympathetic assistance of his wife,
Mr. Hertle set slowly and prayerfully about the
task of restoring the house Today it is much
as it was. when it newly built. Now,
pleasantly mellowed by age and hallowed by
tradition its present and future place in the
restless world is assured by its dedication to
Virginia The State will accept the estate as
it is presented by Mr.. Hertle lin memory of
my wife, Eleanor Doughaday Hertle."
Gunston Hall, during the wise and generous
ownership of Mr.. and Mrs. Hertle, has been
visited by hundreds of eager people. The old
place has always had particular appeal not
only to historians and antiquarians but to
plain folks like you and me who ask as the
first requirement that any house be home.
GunSton Hall is undoubtedly a home. 1t is
not only home of historic association and of
architectural beauty it is also friendly
and comfortable. Just the sort of a place to
which the next-door neighbor, George WASH
ington, felt free to come for bit of cheerful
gossip for a word of honest advice on the
conduct of the new and agonizng Republic
Or merely for a slip of boxwood or q grating
OF a choice pear tree a share in a bowl of
rum punch.
Its doors are SO welcoming it is not surpris-
ing the excitable Patrick Henry often hurried
within for soothing talks with the master,
George Mason, on the frightening subject Of
American independence. Nor Is it unexpected
to discover that Immediately after the battle of
yorktown the house received Gen. Lafayette,
trillrnDhaDt al victories
Continental forces.
\A /HAT sort of a man this George Mason
w who lived at Gunston Hall-this phil
oSopher who for more than 40 years refused
public Office this wise man to whom the
leaders of the country.during the perilous rev.
olutionary days came SO confidently for counsel
and encouragement?
Perhaps the question is best answered by
quoting paragraph in faded old letter in
the possession of one of his descendants.
The letter written by Christmas guest
at Mout Vernon, where George Mason had
. called to wish the Washington family happy
holiday. George Mason the chronicler re-
ported lis said to be one of the wisest men and
the greatest statesman in Virginia. We were
delighted to look into his face and hear him
speak and to take his hand, which he offered
in a courtly though modest manner. He is
slight in figure but not tall and has a grand
head and clear gray eyes"
This naive description of George Mason sug
gests the personality of his home. Gunston
Hall not built by a man who wished to
astonish his friends with his magnihcence. Nor
is it the dwelling place of man big physically
Nor of a man who advertised his good qualities
and his wealth.
1t is dignified home, rather small construct
ed of fine material exquisitely manipulated, and
showing a careful restraint and simplicity of
treatment Not chillingly impressive, but warm
and hoSpitabe. The home of a man of SYM
pathy and judgment
Each room is vivid with memories of Colonial
and Revolutionary days and particularly alive
with recollections of George Washington. In
the kitchen the small housewife, little Mary
Mason, baked cakes for her fathers
friend. George Washington, to be enjoyed in the
celebration that followed Washingtons election
to the Virginia House of Delegates.
Col. Washington who was always a pune
tilious man, and carefully turned in to his
government every small expense made while in
its service, mentions in his diary that he
charged the State of Virginia is shillings and
7k pence for cakes baked by Miss Mary Ma
SON on this occasion.
In the drawing room of Gunston Hall the
children of the neighboring planters used to
assemble for dancing school. George Wash
ington mentions that in April, ITO, he took
"Patscy Gusts and Milly PoSey to Col. Ma5on's
to dancing school" (Col. Washington, though
painstakng diarist, was often an imaginative
speller) This same "Patscy' Gusts was the
daughter of John Parke Custis. Her mother
was Eleanor Calvert and her grandfather was
Benedict Calvert, of the third Lord Bal
S.more.
In the gardens of Gunston Hall were many
fine fruit trees and the finest lockwood in the