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Welcome
to Mount Vernon
"I
can truly say I had rather be at home at Mount Vernon with a friend
or two about me, than to be attended at the seat of government by
Officers of State and the Representatives of every Power in Europe."
George Washington to David Stuart, June 15, 1790.
The Truman Presidential
Museum and Library is pleased and honored to welcome you and your
class to Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. This packet
is designed to help you prepare students for a visit to the miniature
Mount Vernon Mansion. The packet includes introductory material
and activities on Mount Vernon and George and Martha Washington.
Please feel free to copy, change, or modify packet materials to
best suit the needs of your students. If you book a guided tour
of the exhibit, a tote bag containing 18th century artifact reproductions
will be available for you to share with your students while on site.
A list of the tote bag contents can be found at the end of the packet.
The
Home of George and Martha Washington in Miniature
 Imagine
that the place you call home is really like a small town or village.
That is what our first President's home was like. George Washington's
Mount Vernon was an 8,000 acre plantation that included the Mansion
and many buildings. Taking care of the farm land, buildings, the
Washington family, and their many visitors required hundreds of
workers. Most of the work was done by slaves who lived on the plantation.
The Truman
Presidential Museum and Library is proud to present a miniature
exhibit of President Washington's Mount Vernon. The word "miniature"
may be misleading as the model of the home weighs almost 1100 pounds,
is 10 feet long, more than 6 feet wide, and 8 feet tall. The roof
and two sides can be mechanically raised to allow viewing inside
each room. You will be able to view the third floor of the Mansion
which is seldom open to the public.
The miniature
Mansion was built by miniaturists, most of whom are from Washington
State. They labored five years to recreate President Washington's
beloved Mount Vernon. The exhibit is valued at more than $500,000
but beyond money, the actual value is immeasurable. The miniature
Mansion will allow thousands of people who cannot travel to Mount
Vernon to "visit" the home of our first President.
One of the unique
and fascinating features of the miniature is that things actually
do work. Windows open and close, doorknobs turn, drawers open, and
candles light up. The roof is made of 16,000 cedar shingles just
like the actual Mansion. There are 13 working fireplaces.
The replica
of Nelly Custis's harpsichord was made in England at a cost of $4,000
and actually works as does the telescope in Washington's study.
The silver used in the dining rooms matches the original used at
Mount Vernon but weighs less than 1/10th of an ounce. The blue and
white Canton china was hand-painted using a mouse whisker. The Presidential
revolving chair swivels just like the real one and the study's fan
chair works like the original.
Mount Vernon
is located south of Washington, D.C. and sits on the bluffs of the
Potomac River. The land, once occupied by Native Americans, belonged
to the kings of England as part of the Virginia colony. In 1674,
King Charles II granted land in the colony to John Washington, George
Washington's great-grandfather. After the young George's father
died, when George was 11, he went to live with his half-brother,
Lawrence, at Mount Vernon. George inherited the plantation in 1761.
The Mount Vernon
Washington inherited included the Mansion, Gardens, Slave Quarters,
Greenhouse, Salt House, Spinning House, Kitchen, Servants Hall,
Storehouse, Smokehouse, Washhouse, Stable and Coach House, and Pioneer
Farm Sites. During the 45 years that Mount Vernon was his home,
Washington expanded and remodeled the Mansion so that it grew to
a 9,000 square foot living space. He selected the paint colors,
the wood grains, the furniture, paintings, and engravings. He also
designed the grounds and gardens. His interests and personality
are reflected in all of the rooms.
George Washington
died in 1799 at age 67. Death was caused by a throat infection called
quinsy. He and Martha, who died in 1802, are buried on the grounds
of Mount Vernon as was his wish according to his will dated 1799.
Near the Washington Tomb is the burial ground used by slaves and
free blacks in the 18th and 19th centuries. William (Billy) Lee,
Washington's personal servant during the American Revolution, is
buried here.
The land of
Mount Vernon remained in the Washington family until 1858 when the
plantation was sold by John A. Washington, a descendant of President
Washington. A group of ladies from South Carolina led by Ann Pamela
Cunningham purchased Mount Vernon. They formed the Mount Vernon
Ladies Association for the purpose of saving Mount Vernon from falling
into ruin from neglect. Since its beginning in 1858, the Mount Vernon
Ladies Association of the Union has worked tirelessly to restore
the Mansion and the surrounding buildings. Every effort has been
made to regain furniture and personal items that once belonged to
the Washington family.
More than one
million tourists and researchers visit Mount Vernon each year. We
hope that you and your class enjoy the authentic Mount Vernon miniature
and that your knowledge of George Washington and the colonial period
of American History is enriched as a result of your experience at
the Truman Presidential Museum and Library.
"I
think with you that the life of a Husbandman (farmer) of all others
is the most delectable. It is honorable. It is amusing, and, with
judicious management, it is profitable."
George
Washington to Alexander Spotswood, February 13, 1788.
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