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This room, part of the south wing expansion begun in 1774 and completed in 1776, was Washington's private sanctuary. Upon his return to Mount Vernon in 1783 at the end of the Revolutionary War, the study became the place where Washington could retire from ever-present family and guests to tend to business without distraction. No one was allowed in without specific invitation. It was from this room that he directed the management of his estate. He received the reports of his overseers, made daily entries in his diary, and posted his accounts. It was also here that he wrote important letters that gave momentum to the establishment of the federal government. Throughout the room personal objects reflect the varying interests of Washington, including an impressive library of 884 books. This room served not only as an office, but also as a chamber where he bathed, dressed, and kept his clothes. Each day, he would rise between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. and go down to the study using the private staircase leading from the Master Bedroom. If the weather was cold, he lit his own fire and prepared for the day with little assistance from his body servant. He used the quiet time to write letters or review reports until breakfast at 7:00 a.m. He then generally rode out to his farms. In the evening, unless he had a social obligation, or lingered talking to guests at dinner, he would often return to his study to read or confer with his secretary until he retired at about 9:00 pm.
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