Breaking Barriers: Martha Washington as the first First Lady of the United States

A Different Role

Mrs. Washington who had spent much of the War with General Washington at the different encampments, found herself thrown once again into public life when her husband was elected President of the United States. The role of First Lady was a completely new concept for Martha and for citizens of the new republic. Questions on how the First Lady was supposed to act and what her duties were supposed to be were likely in the minds of many.

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Primary Source: Letter from MW to Fanny Bassett Washington, 1789.
At first, Martha Washington was overwhelmed by her new role as First Lady. Her life was a lot more restricted, and she had to spend much of her time away from the rest of her family and away from Mount Vernon. In her new role, she represented President Washington and the nation as a whole.

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Levées

Although no one really knew what the role the First Lady would be during the establishment of the new nation, George Washington and his political advisers organized three different kinds of official entertaining each week in the presidential mansion, so that the people had access to the President. The receptions ranged from formal to more informal events. Mrs. Washington hosted a Friday night levée where both ordinary men and women who were well-dressed could attend

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Dinner Guests

Primary Source: Blank dinner invitation from President and Mrs. Washington
The President and the First Lady sent out invitations like this one. As leaders of the newly formed republic, they favored a simple yet refined style.

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Important Symbolism

Martha Washington achieved a delicate balance in her personal appearance, and she was careful not to appear overly pretentious or monarchical. The republican ideals of the time favored simple American made goods as a symbol of American democracy. Extravagant luxuries, however, were considered symbolic of European governments. Mrs. Washington embraced a more modest style, but she did own expensive jewelry, clothing, and shoes.

Primary Source: Letter from George Washington to Catharine Sawbridge Macaulay Graham, 1790

At the end of this letter, President Washington discussed his and Mrs. Washington’s desire for simplicity and respectability. However, Washington did not mean that they were ever going to appear less than dignified before the world. Citizens of the new republic were too familiar with the misconceptions foreigners had about them. People who were not familiar with the former North American colonies, believed that its inhabitants were uneducated savage-like creatures who were unaccustomed to finer things. Personal style meant different things to different people during the early republic.

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A Refined Style

Material Culture: Dress, 1790-1800

This dress may have been worn by First Lady Martha Washington. Although made of satin-weave silk, the dress was an example of the “understated elegance” the First Lady strove for.

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June 09,1802

Primary Source: Mrs. Washington's Obituary, 1802

For many Americans, Martha Washington embodied the virtue and superiority of American women. People around the nation mourned the First Lady and newspapers like this one dedicated obituaries to her.

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