As mistress of a large plantation, Martha Washington managed all domestic affairs on the estate. She supervised everything from house cleaning, to washing and ironing clothing for family and guests, to meal preparation and service, food preservation, and planning the vegetable and herb garden, to overseeing the care of poultry and the dairy, to making clothing for the slaves. She was largely responsible for the work that took place in the dependencies lining the lanes at Mount Vernon and when home, she probably visited those buildings every day or two.

Many of the slaves lived in this communal quarter. They worked under Mrs. Washington's direct supervision as spinners, seamstresses, house servants, cooks, scullery maids, and washerwomen.

One of Martha's responsibilities was textile production at Mount Vernon. George Washington kept sheep for their wool and grew flax for producing linen. Most of the textiles produced here were used to make clothing for the slave community. By 1799, Mrs. Washington was overseeing production of clothing for a community of over 316 slaves. An expert needlewoman, she taught that skill to her granddaughters and nieces, as well as to some of the young slave girls. In this building, she inspected the quality and quantity of cloth produced and oversaw the sewing of clothing.