Evening star., 1949-04-10
WoodIawn 10 Be 0per
For First Time Today
As National Shrine

Woodlawn. the historic mansion
that George Washington gave as
a wedding present to his adopted
daughter. Nellie Custis, and his
nephew. Maj Lawrence Lewis,
opens its doors today as the Ma
tons newest shrine.
The house and its spacious roll
ing grounds overlooking the Po-
tomac will be open from 10 am, TO
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 propertys pur-
chase will be requested,
Opening the property as q
shrine has been the aim OF tho
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 TO use the estate a.
its American headquarters. Tn,
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 sos, 900 and giving notes
for the rest OF the $40. 900 pur-
chase price. The next day. Wash
ingtons birthday. Gov. Tuck oi
Virginia. acting for the trustees OF
Mrs. Underwoods estate. pre-
sented the key 70 the mansion to
George NJ. Morris, president oi
the trustees OF the foundation.
Volunteer hostesses will conduct
visitors through the mansion
They will be members OF ths
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 OF
Kenmore. Fredericksburg. Va,
were married at Mount Vernon
February %. 1899. 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. oil
which Paul Mellon Is founder and
president. That organization
gave So for each 81 raised by the
Woodlawn Public Foundation. and
announced il will continue the
matching gifts until 500 900 set
aside for the purpose has been
absorbed.
The title is held in escrow until
the completion Of the payment o'
the purchase price.
The foundation Is continuing ia
efforts throughout the Nation 70
raise money by Memorial Day 10
complete the purchase and to 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 q newly formed commit
tee on furnishings ana oecoTa-
tons. That committee Is headed
by Mrs. George w. Morris.
Charles c. Wall. resident super
OF Mount Vernon. has
been elected chairman OF the
committee on buildings
and grounds, with Alvin v. Baird
Of Deiaplane, Va. a. trustee ad-
wiser. Elwood II. Seal. for Dis
trict corporation counsel. is chair
man OF a committee 70 plan q
organization Of Friends
Of WoodIawn.
Robert r. Young. chairman Of
the board OF the Chesapeake *
Ohio Railway. has been elected
trustee of the foundation.