Archive for January, 2009

That is the title of February’s issue of Scholastic News, featuring Mount Vernon’s bronze statue of George Washington on the cover. The “news” about George Washington includes the discovery of his childhood home by archaeologists recently, as well as the analysis of a set of George Washington’s fake teeth that showed the materials included elephant tusk and gold! There is also an article about the forensic figures of George Washington in the new Reynolds Education Center here at Mount Vernon. The issue is a wonderful resource for elementary teachers- look for it in February!

As Barack Obama was sworn in on Tuesday as 44th president here in our nation’s capitol, history was being made. President Obama, however, used the opportunity to reflect back on our nation’s past and quote the “Father of His Country.” Two million people shivered in the Washington, D.C. wind as President Obama remembered another freezing day over two hundred years ago:

“So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

“Let it be told to the future world… that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive… that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].””

Today marks the 250th wedding anniversary of George and Martha Washington! The Washingtons had a whirlwind courtship- George had only met Martha twice and known her for three weeks before he proposed! The 27 year old widowed Martha had a three year old daughter, Patsy, and a five year old son, Jacky, when she married George Washington on January 6, 1759 at her home in New Kent, Virginia. Martha was married in a yellow brocade dress that was trimmed with lace at the neck and sleeves, a white silk petticoat with silver threads, and pearls in her hair. Her shoes were purple satin and trimmed in metallic lace and sequins.

On display January 12 – February 23 are Mrs. Washington’s wedding slippers, which have not been exhibited at Mount Vernon in over 30 years and due to their fragile condition will not be on display for many years to come. A pair of reproduction slippers (they took two years to produce!) will now be displayed in the Education Center next to the reproduction of the wedding dress. “Mrs. Washington” will recount her happiest days of marriage during a special free performance in the Robert H. and Clarice Smith Auditorium every Saturday and Sunday in January at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

In these weeks before the upcoming Inauguration, police predict Inauguration crowds in nearby Washington D.C. to top three million, visitors scramble for last minute hotel rooms, and journalists are working themselves into a frenzy. At the very first inauguration, 221 years ago, this excitement would have seemed familiar. George Washington left Mount Vernon on April 16, 1789 for a seven day journey to New York City for his inauguration. Though he wrote in his journal of his anxiety at leaving his home and personal life behind, the week long journey may have eased his doubts as people flooded the roads to catch a glimpse of the famous general, and large celebrations erupted along his route at Alexandria, Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, and Trenton. Washington boarded a ceremonial barge in Elizabeth Town, NJ for the final leg of the journey into New York City, where he was saluted by hundreds of boats and even a Spanish vessel. Upon arrival, Washington had to wait another week in the city as Congress fought over how they wanted the inauguration to be conducted. On April 30, 1789, George Washington was finally inaugurated into office on the balcony of Federal Hall while a large crowd cheered from below.

In the Education Center’s Inaugural Gallery, we have recreated this scene using life-size models created from a forensic science investigation and primary sources. The gallery also includes the nation’s very first inaugural buttons worn by supporters of Washington that feature such patriotic phrases as “Long Live the President!” Continue reading The Very First Inauguration »