Butler's Pantry

The 1799 inventory of Mount Vernon describes this small space near the Dining Room as “the Closet under Frank’s direction.” For many years, Frank Lee served as the enslaved butler for the Washington family. In addition to supervising all the meal service at Mount Vernon, caring for the tablewares, and overseeing the storage and distribution of wine and liquors, Lee also managed the arrivals and departures of guests.

Some of the Washingtons’ china was kept in this pantry for easy access to both the dining room and kitchen. Washington owned several blue and white Chinese export porcelain services, which were considered everyday dishes. Other tableware stored here included teapots and silver-plated serving trays. Frank Lee would have taken out the dishes and utensils needed for setting the table and serving the dinner or tea each day, and after each meal, ensured that the objects were cleaned, polished, and safely stored. Finer china was stored in a locked closet on the third floor and brought down by enslaved workers for special occasions.

Evidence of the wiring for the house bell system can still be seen across the ceilings of the panty and back hall. The bells summoned servants or enslaved workers to the dining rooms, the piazza, and one of the bedrooms.