Longtime Mount Vernon supporters Janice and Dick Crosby remember fondly the first time they laid eyes on Mount Vernon.
The year was 1971, and they had just moved to the Washington, D.C. area. Dick was a naval officer and Janice, a registered nurse. They were accustomed to moving often because of his military career — but it would be George Washington’s home and legacy that would make this move different.
“Whenever we prepared to relocate, we always focused our research on the area’s history. Discovering Mount Vernon made this place different from the many others we’ve explored over the years. We simply could never get over the wonderful feeling the place gave us,” said Janice.
The Crosbys eventually moved from D.C., but according to Dick, “The more we traveled around our great country, the more Mount Vernon tugged at our hearts. Wherever our journeys took us, a framed picture of the Mansion’s east front always hung in our kitchen.”
The magnetic pull was so strong, that following Dick’s retirement in 2000 as a Navy captain, they ultimately purchased a home in Alexandria, not far from Mount Vernon. In fact, their subdivision is situated on land that was once part of River Farm, one of George Washington’s five original farms, which made up the Mount Vernon estate.
People who live on land that was once part of Mount Vernon can become members of the Neighborhood Friends of Mount Vernon. The Crosbys not only joined, but ultimately became active volunteers. Since June 2007, they have been members of the Neighborhood Friends Steering Committee.
“We take great pleasure in working with other Neighborhood Friends to bring George Washington’s character, historic estate, and uniquely American spirit to life,” says Dick. “For us, it’s always a tremendous thrill and honor to walk the paths once traveled by the first president of the United States of America.”
According to Janice, the couple’s involvement with Mount Vernon galas, lectures, festivals and family outings encouraged them to consider providing for “a lasting educational experience which would teach others about the heroic, precedent-setting, and patriotic qualities of George Washington – the man who risked his every possession to help establish our amazing nation.”
Not long ago, after Janice attended a special estate planning seminar offered by Mount Vernon’s planned giving office, the couple decided to include a legacy gift to the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association in their will. After providing for their two children and four grandchildren through their estate plans, the Crosbys consider this particular bequest a heartfelt contribution, which they know will benefit untold numbers of Americans, particularly young people, today and for years to come.
“Our planned bequest is a giant ribbon that lovingly wraps our many gifts to Mount Vernon over the years, which all help continue the Association’s commitment to educating others about the character and lasting legacies of our country’s Founding Father,” wrote Janice and Dick recently when confirming their planned gift.
