Evening star., 1949-04-10
WoodIawn 10 Be Open
For First Time Today
As National Shrine

Woodlawn. the historic mansion
that George Washington save as
wedding present TO his adopted
daughter, Nellie Gusts. and his
nephew, Mai, Lawrence Lewis
opens its doors today as the Ma
tion's newest shrine,
The house and its spacious roll
ing grounds overlooking the Po-
tomac will be open from 10 am. 10
5 pm. daily, including Sundays
The estate is on Route near Fort
Belvoir.
No admission fee will be charged
for the present. but contributions
to complete the property's pur-
chase will be requested,
Opening the property as q
shrine has been the aim OF ths
Woodlawn Public Foundation
Inc. which was formed TO pur.
chase the property from the widow
Of the late Mrs. Oscar w. Under.
wood, widow OF the senator.
Volunteer Hostesses on Duty.
Woodlawn was to have been SOLE
last fall TO the Immaculate Hear
of Mary Mission Society which
had planned 10 use the estate O.
It's American headquarters. Th'
society co-operated with the foun
dation's plans by agreeing TO de
lay its purchase while the newly
formed foundation sought fund
| for the same purpose.
Last February 81 the foundation
acquired control OF the property
paying $4,000 and giving note
for the rest OF the $4,000 pur.
chase price. The next day. Wash
ington's birthday. Gov. Tuck oi
Virginia. acting for the trustees oi
Mrs. Underwood estate. pre-
sented the key to the mansion tc
George NJ Morris. president oi
the trustees OF the foundation.
Volunteer hostesses will conduci
visitors through the mansion
They will be members OF tht
Daughters of the American Revo-
luton, Colonial Danes OF Amer
lea. Order OF the Eastern Star
United Daughters OF the Con.
federacy. Garden Club OF Alexan-
dria, the Alexandria Association
and other groups
Married at Mount Vernon.
Nellie Gusts and Maj. Lewis oil
Kenmore. Fredericksburg. Va.
were married at Mount Vernon
February %, 1893. the last BIRTH
day anniversary Washington was
alive TO celebrate. Washington
gave the bride In marriage.
The foundation was aided in
raising the purchase money by
the Old Dominion Foundation. of
which Paul Mellon is founder and
president. That organization
gave 81 for each 81 raised by the
Woodlawn Public Foundation. anc
announced 1t will continue the
matching gifts until 100000 se'
aside for the purpose has beer
absorbed.
The title lis held In escrow until
the completion OF the payment oi
the purchase price.
The foundation Is continuing iti
efforts throughout the Nation u
raise money by Memorial Day u
complete the purchase and 70 de-.
fray preliminary costs OF fur
nishing and decorating the house
and improving the grounds.
Adviser Named.
Miss Genevieve Hendricks
Washington interior decorator
and writer and lecturer on his
toric houses. has been named ad-
wiser 70 a newly-formed commit
tee on furnishings and decora-
tons. That committee La headed
by Mrs. George w. Morris.
Charles c. Wall. resident super
lntendent Of Mount Vernon. has
been elected chairman OF the
woodlawn committee on buildings
and grounds. sFith Alvin v. Baird
OF Delaplane. Va. as trustee sd-
wiser. Elwood III. Seal. for Dis
trict corporation counsel. ID chair
man OF = committee 10 plan .
organization Of Friends
Of Wooclawn.
Robert r.. Young. chairman Of
the board o! the Chesapeake a.
Ohio Railway. has been elected o
trustee of the foundation.