Message from the Vice Regent for Texas
I have been honored to serve as the Vice Regent for Texas since 2002, but the legacy of Texas philanthropy at Mount Vernon goes back over 125 years! I believe that Texans feel a special connection to what it means to be an American, and we thrive on the independent and patriotic spirit that George Washington embodied and represents today.
To honor this longstanding tradition and bring Texans together in support of George Washington’s enduring legacy, I am proud to announce the launch the Texas Gate Society. Uniquely tailored for Texans, the Society offers opportunities to engage with Mount Vernon, bring a piece of Mount Vernon to your hometown, and engage with other like-minded Texans.
Please join me and your fellow Texans in becoming a member of the Texas Gate Society, and I look forward to seeing you at special Society events and opportunities both in Texas and at Mount Vernon in the months ahead!
-Ann Haunschild Bookout
Join The Texas Gate Society
Join your fellow patriotic Texans in supporting George Washington’s beloved home and estate, Mount Vernon. Texans have risen to support Mount Vernon for generations ever since the “Texas Gate” was fully funded by donors from our great state in 1899.
Mount Vernon operates independently of any government support and relies solely on the generosity of patriotic Americans to fulfill our mission of education and preservation of the legacy of George Washington. Let patriotic Texans lead the way to ensure that legacy remains a cornerstone of the founding of this nation for generations to come!
About the Texas Gate
The very first structure guests encounter when visiting George Washington’s Mount Vernon is the Texas Gate. The gate, with its impressive archway, was built in 1899 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of George Washington’s death with funds raised by a number of patriotic and generous citizens from the great state of Texas.
When thousands of visitors began to arrive at Mount Vernon via electric trolley during the last decade of the 19th century, it quickly became apparent that the estate needed an official entrance gate to handle the increasing crowds. The citizens of Texas adopted the project under the leadership of Frances C. Maxey, the Vice Regent for Texas from Austin. School children donated nickels and dimes, while members of the Masonic lodges organized a grassroots effort that swept across the state. The Texas Gate was dedicated on December 14, 1899.
From 1986 to 1988, Helen Sharp Anderson of Houston, the Vice Regent for Texas and former Regent, spearheaded a second statewide fundraising effort for a much-needed restoration to refurbish the gate and modernize the interior with air-conditioning, enhanced security, and state-of-the-art computers for ticketing. Now an important symbol, the Texas Gate has welcomed almost 100 million guests to Washington’s beloved home on the Potomac.
