Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-03-05

v come Franklin D. Roosevelt, the
thirty-second President of the
United States. may be found an impressive
array of homes of earlier Presidents, some OF
which are now maintained as national shrines.
Virginia. the Mother Of Presidents" gave
birth to George Washington, Thomas Jeffer-
son. James Madison, James Monroe, William
Henry Harrison. John Tyler, Zachary Taylor
and Woodrow Wilson. Standing today within
the borders of the "Old Dominion" are homes
Of all these statesmen, with the exception OF
Zachary Taylor. whose father, Col. Richard
Taylor moved from Virginia to Kentucky when
the future President was but months old
The house in which Zachary Taylor was born
has long since disappeared and the spot is
marked by only stone tablet.
Mount Vernon. the home of the Father OF
the Country" and Americas most revered
shrine looks out from bluff over the Poto-
mac at point just IS miles south OF the
National Capital. The estate, originally named
Hunting Creek, was inherited by Washington
in 1852 from his half brother Lawrence, who
changed the name in compliment to the Brit
ish admiral under whom he served in the
West Indies 1t IS generally believed that
the central portion of the present Mount YER
non mansion was erected by Lawrence and
that the wings were added by George Wash
ington.
The first extensive improvements appear to
have been made by Washington at Mount
Vernon during the Summer of 1883, in antici-
patton Of his approaching marriage to the
Widow Gusts. which took place on January
g. 1859. At this time the simple cottage was
reroofed and resheathed, its foundation walls
OF brick were reconstructed, the rooms were
papered or painted, and two small detached
wings added, connecting the cottage at either
end by an open arcade.
After his marriage to the Widow Gusts,
Washington found the size OF the mansion
incommenSurate with the hospitality offered.
In order properly to entertain the many nota-
bles and the constant stream of other guests
who came to Mount Vernon, Washington en-
larged the building to three times its size.
This was effected by an extension at each
end in conformity to the architecture of the
original structure. At the same time balus-
trade was erected over the portico and the
skyline was raised by an addition to the OBJ
servatory SO that the proper proportions be-
tween the length and the height OF the man
sion were retained.
The frame timbers of the building are o;
hewn oak mottised and pinned. The sheath
ing is of long-leafed pine, beveled In such
fashion as to give the exterior the appearance
of stone blocks wood filler, or preservative,
was first applied, followed by paint with sand
finish to give the effect OF stone.
The modest size Of the mansion, its prac-
teal architectural design and its simplicity
without the evidence of any attempt at Smart
ness" are indicative Of the character OF its
builder The stately approach to Mount Yer
non is marked by two irregular corners, laid
out with trees. shrubs and winding paths.
forecourt with . sundial, surrounded by posts
and chain, faces the mansion. An arcade
through each arch of which is vista, winds
forward crescent-fashion from either end OF
the house. connecting the kitchen on the right
and the Office on the left.
The main entrance to the mansion Is By
way of a short flight Of sandstone steps. In
the paneled hall hangs the lantern presented
by Admiral Vernon, for whom the estate was
nar1ed On one wall hangs the famous key
to the French Bastille, while across from 1t
is Suspended the French hunting knife, the
gift o. Lafayette
IT,, banquet hall Is the mansions most
inn -si;c room. 1t is finely proportioned and
its :, Il, ceilings give the effect of spaciousness
Coz. NJ the floor is beautiful Gcbclin rug
woven by order of Louis XVI for Washington
durn: his presidency. A constitutional PROVISION
prevented Washington from accepting the rug
during his term Of Office. While in storage at
the Custom House at Philadelphia it became
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