George
Washington's Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, Virginia
#NC-06221-HM - Notecards
Also available in Assortment Pack #AST-760
#PR-06221-HM
- Open Edition Print
Originally
known as the Little Hunting Creek Plantation, the estate was first
owned by George Washington's great-grandfather in 1674. In 1740,
the plantation was deeded to George Washington's elder half brother,
Lawrence, by his father, Augustine Washington. Lawrence renamed
the plantation Mount Vernon in honor of Admiral Edward Vernon,
under whom Lawrence had served in the siege of Cartagena. Two
years after Lawrence's death in 1752, George Washington acquired
the estate by means of a lease from his brother's widow. He inherited
the estate in 1761.
The
most striking architectural feature of the Mansion is the two-story,
square-columned piazza extending the entire length of the house
on the river front, offering a spectacular panoramic view of the
Potomac River. Another unusual exterior feature is the beveled
wood siding. To make the wood siding look like stone, sand was
applied to fresh paint. Letters between General Washington and
his manager, Lund Washington, provided details about materials
and construction.
The
Mount Vernon Ladies Association, founded in 1853, purchased the
Mansion and 200 acres of surrounding land in 1858. Since that
time, the Association has devoted itself to restoring and furnishing
Mount Vernon according to a 1799 50-page inventory prepared after
George Washington's
death. The bed on which he died is included among the many original
objects and furnishings.
Text
© 2001 Dianne Harrah, Drawing © 2001 Bill Harrah
.
. . HISTORIC HOMES . . . (Click on an image to
see the actual notecard size)