West Front of the Mansion

The Collections Department acquires, preserves, researches, and interprets the holdings of Mount Vernon – the largest collection of Washington material in the nation. After George and Martha Washington’s deaths, their possessions were dispersed through bequests and private and public auctions. Thus, when the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association took possession of the estate in 1860, there were only a handful of original Washington pieces still here. Since that time, Mount Vernon has brought back thousands of original artifacts that range from paintings and sculpture to ceramics, glass, metals, textiles, cooking utensils and tools, the famous Washington dentures, rare books, manuscripts, and prints. The philosophy of the Ladies’ Association always has been to restore Mount Vernon as Washington knew it, and we can now say that 30% of the furnishings in the Mansion are original Washington pieces. We hold more than 500 documents in Washington’s hand and the largest extant group of letters by Martha Washington.

While our earlier collecting efforts were focused on those objects owned, created, or used by George Washington and his family while at Mount Vernon, we have expanded our interpretation and collections in recent years to include those objects that relate to Washington’s military and presidential career.  In addition, we acquire period objects that approximate or duplicate original items known to have existed at Mount Vernon, in order to enhance the interpretation of Washington’s life and home.

The Association also collects objects that document the ancestral Washington family in the 17^th century and commemorative objects from the 18^th century to the present day that assist in interpreting the life and context of the Washington family and legacy, Mount Vernon, and the history of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.