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The Cupola is one of Mount Vernon's most striking and identifiable features. Washington added the cupola to the Mansion in 1778, however it was not completed until extensive renovations were undertaken after the Revolutionary War. In 1787, Washington added the beautiful "dove of peace" weathervane which he ordered from Joseph Rakestraw of Philadelphia.
In addition to highlighting the distinct skyline associated with Mount Vernon, the hexagonal - shaped cupola, with windows on all sides, also served to help create an airflow that could cool the house during the hot Virginia summers. The cupola is the most exposed area of the Mansion and over the years has been subject not only to weathering but to forces of nature, such as the severe damage suffered during a winter storm in 1795-96, and recorded by George Washington in his diary.
The area, which is accessed by a steep, narrow ladder, provides stunning views of the Mount Vernon estate and Potomac River.
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