Washington’s weathervane atop the Mansion was decorative and practical. Follow these step-by-step instructions to make your own weathervane.
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Supplies Needed
Template (includes Bird, Olive Branch, 2 Arrow Pieces, and Compass)
1 paperclip
1 straw
2 beads
Decorating supplies- crayons, markers, colored pencils, stickers, etc.
Scissors Pin or Needle (to poke a small hole in the straw and in the compass)
Glue Stick
New (unsharpened) pencil
Tape
Step 3: Bend Paperclip
With an adult’s help, bend the paperclip so it is straight and looks like a wire.
Step 4: Make the Arrow
Cut slits into the end of the straw and slide an arrow piece at each end.
Step 5: Insert the Paperclip onto the Eraser.
Insert the paperclip into the eraser of the pencil and slide one bead so that it is on top of the eraser.
Step 7: Tape Bird onto the Paperclip.
Tape cut-out bird onto the end of the paperclip.
Step 8: Add the Compass.
Make a hole on the compass template and slide it through pencil.
![](https://mtv-drupal-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/files/styles/card_block_full/s3/callout/card-full/image/mansion-cupola-bullseye.jpg?VersionId=so1RGLUnmWhI7rs6w8X5HaqQQ.bmP9ol&itok=stMA73Sb)
When did George Washington get a weathervane?
During the summer of 1787, George Washington was attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, working alongside the other Founding Fathers to create a government for the new nation. While there, Washington commissioned Joseph Rakestraw to construct a weathervane, which was to be installed atop the cupola of the Mansion at Mount Vernon. Washington’s instructions for the weathervane’s design were clear. The weathervane would feature a bird holding an olive branch.
![](https://mtv-drupal-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/files/styles/card_block_full/s3/callout/card-full/image/cupola-1.jpg?VersionId=bQ1TMxGYOZ9LJZWwqUTWqfnmp1Xiw_AQ&itok=_1a5ooWD)
Restoring the Weathervane
Learn More![](https://mtv-drupal-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/files/styles/card_block_full/s3/callout/card-full/image/dsc03552.jpg?VersionId=G9UDhUaau_wl88A5.3kF_gpCYor53Vy_&itok=2CekuDyy)