Fred W. Smith National Library

About the Library

Located on the picturesque and historic setting of the Mount Vernon estate, the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington will serve as a worldwide repository for expertise about Washington, his achievements, and his legacies. Equally important, the multi-faceted facility will aggressively disseminate knowledge about Washington to the widest range of audiences, using state-of-the-art technology and cutting edge approaches to sustain our growing national network of George Washington experts and enthusiasts.

No president in American history deserves the honor of a presidential library more than our first chief executive – nor is there a better story to tell. Destined to be the international headquarters for knowledge about America’s most famous founding father, this is a long overdue initiative that will maintain Washington’s importance and relevance in a fast-changing world, when his standards of leadership are needed more than ever.

The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington will achieve three important objectives. It will store and safeguard the irreplaceable books and letters of George Washington, and enable scholars, students, and other special audiences to conduct important research in a state-of-the-art library placed in an inspiring environment. This library will also be the international headquarters for a series of assertive and creative outreach programs that will give special attention to students and teachers, and use the latest technologies to keep pace in a rapidly changing world. And finally, the National Library will host a variety of seminars and training programs with a special focus on Washington’s leadership. In the process, it will become a worldwide resource which ensures that the relevance of our greatest American is not lost somewhere between ivy-covered walls and the digital age.

The Need for a Library

Knowledge and appreciation of George Washington have declined significantly over the past generation. Mount Vernon opened new facilities in 2006 that have attacked this problem head-on, and since then, more than four million people entered through the Ford Orientation Center to discover Washington in a far more significant and memorable fashion. Yet, the teaching of history and its lessons learned – especially that of our nation’s founding era – continues to descend on the list of educational priorities, whether in the local kindergarten or the ivy-covered university.

What is virtually ignored in schools will ultimately be reflected in society at large; so this decline in Washington’s visibility and relevance in our lives should not be surprising. What is surprising is the lack of concern among most Americans, even those who have followed in Washington’s footsteps in military or government service.

Why does it really matter? Because Washington’s life still reflects the epitome of American leadership and character. He should be relevant to each new generation because the most prominent character traits demonstrated by Washington – strong moral values, undaunted courage, solid and consistent judgment, unabashed patriotism, and his complete commitment to what is best for his country – never go out of style. His actions defined civility during an uncivil period, as he showed how one person’s example and deeds can make an enormous difference. Washington was our first national hero, and his leadership was once our nation’s greatest resource. His personal traits should be studied, celebrated, and emulated as timeless hallmarks of conduct.

Media Information

To view press releases and background materials about the National Library, visit our online pressroom.

For high-resolution images or video files, contact Melissa Wood, Director of Media Relations, at 703-799-5203 or mwood@mountvernon.org.