Holiday Object Spotlight: Hunting Horn
Horns sounding in the forest were like Christmas music to the 18th-century ear at Mount Vernon, where the General was known to hunt with his male counterparts, particularly during the holiday season, when horns such as this cut through the silence of the Virginia forest, in a tuneful attempt to keep a hunting party managed and hounds on course.
Compared to other horns of the hunting variety, George Washington’s was of a higher musical quality than most, with characteristics that make historians believe it was originally intended for use in an orchestra.
In the wee, cold hours Washington and his party would head out on their hunting foray. On January 4, 1772, Washington, his neighbor Bryan Fairfax and three male companions set out from Mount Vernon. No doubt accompanied by a pack of hounds, it’s possible that one or several of Washington’s slaves who served as huntsmen — such as Washington’s valet Billy Lee and his brother Frank Lee — played the horn, an arduous task for even the most skilled of horsemen. In his diary Washington recorded that they “Found both a Bear & Fox but got neither …”
During the fall and winter Washington participated in hunts up to three times a week and particularly enjoyed hunting for fox during the Christmas season. From his ledgers we know that Washington purchased at least four horns over the course of his life. Keeping in mind that18th-century Americans didn’t celebrate Christmas in the same manner we do today, but instead spent the day visiting or participating in religious activities, it’s not a bad way to pass the Christmas season.
Assistant Curator Alison Bliss contributed to this report.
Object Spotlight is a regular feature that highlights household belongings used by the Washingtons. Check out Mount Vernon’s eMuseum to explore more Washington belongings.
Gift of Judge James Alfred Pearce, 1921 [W-81]
December 22nd, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Great stuff, but check the spelling of “hunting” on the primary source image for the hunting horn.