Archive for October, 2010

The cold winter months are coming, and this naturally would have provided the Washingtons with ample opportunity to break out their rummers — the elegant, large-bowled glassware that they used to serve any number of beverages.

During the late-eighteenth century, rummers were used by members of all social classes to consume anything from wine, cider and beer to hot and cold toddies, brandy and water, and other diluted or mixed concoctions.

Thanks to the records of dinner guest Joshua Brooks, who dined at Mount Vernon in February 1799, we know that the Washingtons were serving wine, porter (a dark heavy ale) and beer with the meal. After the second or dessert course, the tablecloth was removed, and bottles of port and Madeira wine (one of George Washington’s favorites) were set out with nuts, apples and raisins.

The term “rummer” derives not from rum, but from the German word “roemer,” which referred to a drinking glass with a large bowl. The heavy, stepped feet of the Washingtons’ rummers and their wheel-engraved decorations suggest they were purchased by George Washington in the 1790s, although it is unknown whether during his presidency or retirement.

Visitors can see the above rummer, along with other drinking glasses owned by the Washingtons, in the Washington’s World Gallery at Mount Vernon’s Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center.

Object Spotlight is a weekly feature on George Washington Wired that highlights some of the household objects that Washington came into contact with in his daily life.

Continue reading Object Spotlight: Washington’s Rummer »

First there was our blog, then there was our Facebook page. Now, in an unprecedented attempt to thrust George Washington out of the 18th century and into the 21st, Mount Vernon for Teachers will be TWEETING.

Follow us at MVforTeachers, where you’ll find information about how you can participate in everything happening at the estate throughout the year, what’s going on in our education department, and how you can better incorporate Washington and his leadership into your classroom curriculum.

We’re look forward to meeting you in the Twittersphere …

George Washington, portrayed at the beginning of his presidency in Mount Vernon’s Donald W. Reynolds Education Center.

On October 25, 1791, George Washington delivered his third annual message to Congress, which can also be considered the nation’s third State of the Union address.

Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution states that the president “shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” As occurred so frequently during his presidency, Washington set a precedent, establishing the tradition of the State of the Union by holding his “time to time” information sessions on an annual basis.

Washington’s first term as president focused largely on domestic issues and the establishment of the role of president, which his address reflects.

Washington emphasizes, in particular, his attempt to maintain peace with Native American tribes, which was an issue of utmost importance for him that would never be fully realized. He also delves into the success of new banks, states that there’s no need for any additional taxes and lauds the nation’s healthy economic situation.

For Washington’s full address, see below.

Continue reading On This Day in 1791: Annual Message Delivered »

Some people put a lot of work into keeping up with the Joneses, but at Mount Vernon we really pull our weight when it comes to keeping up the Georges.

Once a year we fly in two experts to touch up and wash our three wax figures of George Washington, which were made using tons of forensic evidence that points to what Washington really looked like (this touch up, of course, is in addition to an at least bi-weekly clothes cleaning, hair fluffing, and face and hand brushing that removes dust).

Studying everything from actual hair samples from Washington’s head to his bone structure, experts constructed representations of Washington at age 19, as general of the army and as president. These are the most accurate representations of Washington that exist today.

The figures are available for viewing by the public in our Reynolds Education Center and there is also a set that is on tour with our “Discover the Real George Washington” traveling exhibit.