Evening star., 1939-05-07
Ceremony al Grave
Of Mary Washington
SET for May IS
New Enclosure and
Londseoping to Be
Dedicated
Rrecial Dispatch to The Star.

erecial Dispatch to The Star.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va, May 6.
dedication of new landscaping, a
new brick wall, adjoining post and
rail fence will be one of the prin-
cipal features of services commemo-
rating the 150th anniversary of the
death of Mrs. Mary Bell Washington
at the grave of the First Presidents
mother here on May Is at pm.
Under the auspices of the National
Mary Washington Memorial Associ-
alton the service was advanced from
the exact anniversary date, August
25. so that the inclosure and land
scaping, gifts of the Garden Club of
Virginia. might be dedicated as close
as possible to Mothers Day.
The gifts will be presented by Mrs.
Thomas w. Wheelwright, president
of the organization giving them.
They will be accepted by Mrs. Fair
fax Harrison, president of the me-
mortal association.
The principal speaker will be DR..
st. George Sioussat. head of the
manuscript division, Library of Con-
greSs, and former head of the de-
partment of history, University of
Pennsylvania.
The Rev. Dudley Boogher, rector
of ST. Georges Church, of which
Mrs. Washington was q communi-
cant, and in which her funeral was
held, will give the opening prayer.
More Imposing Appearance.
The new inclosure and landscap-
ing, the third important change or
development at the grave in the
century and half since Mrs. Wash
ington was buried, give a more i'm
posing appearance to the shrine.
Dying a few months after her son
became the First President of the
young Republic, Mrs. Washington
was buried at a place of her own
selection-a quiet spot on the farm
of her daughter Betty. wife of Col.
Fielding Lewis, to which, during the
dark days of the Revolution, she
frequently repaired to read her BIZ
BILE, mediate and pEay for victory
for her son.
The location she chose was near
two big boulders jutting out over
valley below, short. distance from
her own simple cottage. The place
has since become known as Oratory
Rock. -
On his first visit to Fredericks-
burg after his mothers death Wash
ington caused headstone to be
placed at the grave. But in time
this was lost or destroyed by relic
hunters.
In 1880 the people of Fredericks-
burg, believing the grave should be
suitably marked, started a move
ment to erect a memorial. Hearing
of it, Silas Burroughs, wealthy
New Yorker, volunteered to furnish
the funds. The cornerstone was
laid at impressive services attended
by President jackson.
However, Mr.. Burroughs died
while the work on the monument
was in progress, and the monument,
as it was intended at that time, was
never completed. For years the
plnIn SUOOQ III LQe open HelQ, LQe
unerected shaft nearby. Both were
battered by shellflre during the
Civil War.
Dedicated In 1894.
In 1890 the National Washington
Memorial Association was formed
for the purpose of erecting suit
able memorial. This was not the
only movement seeking that end.
A similar work was undertaken in
New York and in Fredericksburg a
group of women was organized and
obtained deeds to the monument
lot and several additional acres.
The advantages of national Or
ganization were at once recognized
and the title to the. property con-