A History of Preservation

George Washington wrote in 1793, "No estate in United America is more pleasantly situated than this…on one of the finest Rivers in the world."

Over the years, there have been many threats to this view. However, thanks to the efforts of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association (MVLA) and our many public and private partners Washington’s beloved view remains largely unchanged. Generations of leaders, families, and school groups, have enjoyed this view and we want to continue to preserve it for future visitors to Mount Vernon.

The First Battle 

In the early 1950s, this view became threatened. A major oil refining company considered purchasing 750 acres for development of an oil tank farm directly across the Potomac River from Mount Vernon. Vice Regent Frances Payne Bolton of Ohio, who was also a member of the United States House of Representatives, led the campaign to prevent this project.

In 1955, she purchased 485 acres of land and established the Accokeek Foundation. This organization was formed to organize efforts working towards the preservation of the Maryland shoreline. To help jumpstart preservation efforts, Mrs. Bolton donated her recently purchased acres to the Accokeek Foundation in 1957. Working alongside the Foundation were many neighboring property owners, the National Park Service, Smithsonian Institute, and the MVLA. Their efforts stopped construction.

Another Fight

A new threat surfaced in 1960 when the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) announced plans to build a 3-story sewage treatment plant across from Mount Vernon. In an attempt to minimize criticism, WSSC planned to construct the plant to look like a replica of Mount Vernon. Quick action was needed and alternate sites were proposed, yet WSSC was insistent on its initial location.