Archive for the ‘Martha Washington’ Category

Finally, the world is starting to acknowledge what we at Mount Vernon have realized all along- Martha rocked! She was intelligent (she ran her first husband’s very large estate after his death), generous (she graciously hosted hundreds of visitors to Mount Vernon every year), compassionate (she raised money for wounded Revolutionary War veterans’ hospitals), and brave (she risked her life during the war to spend winters in her husband’s camp). And yes, she was beautiful! For the official record, Martha Washington was not born fat, wrinkled, and white-haired. Shocking!

If you are wondering why we have stepped on the Martha soapbox today, it is to let you know that the Washington Post has written a wonderful article announcing Martha Washington’s greatness to the world. Spurred by her “sassy” purple wedding shoes (featured in a previous GWW post), the article is titled, “Fresh Look at Martha Washington: Less First Frump, More Foxy Lady,” which sums it up pretty well. The television show, “Inside Edition” has also latched onto this breaking news and will be broadcasting a feature tonight on the First Lady’s image.

To bring Martha Washington to your classroom, get a free DVD copy of Mount Vernon’s production, “The Real Martha Washington,” featuring historians Cokie Roberts and Rosemary Zagarri. Request it now to receive in time for Women’s History Month in March!

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.