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The Central Passage was far more than just an entryway into the Washingtons' home. It served as a main setting for entertaining guests, particularly during the hot Virginia summers when the family gathered here to take advantage of cool breezes from the open doorways. The passage is a classic example of Virginia architecture in the 18th century. The elegant space runs the width of the house and provides magnificent views of the Potomac River and the Maryland shoreline to the east and the pastoral Bowling Green to the west. When George Washington began his first enlargement of the house between 1757-1759, he added the graceful walnut staircase. Never one to waste, he "recycled" the original staircase, moving it to provide access to the newly constructed third floor. The pine paneling was also installed at this time, but it was not until 1797 that he had the paneling grained, or painted, to imitate the more expensive mahogany.
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