{"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Harbour%2C+John+E.\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=The+George+Washington+Presidential+Library+at+Mount+Vernon\u0026page=2","prev":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Harbour%2C+John+E.\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=The+George+Washington+Presidential+Library+at+Mount+Vernon\u0026page=1","last":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bcreators%5D%5B%5D=Harbour%2C+John+E.\u0026f%5Brepository%5D%5B%5D=The+George+Washington+Presidential+Library+at+Mount+Vernon\u0026page=2"},"meta":{"pages":{"current_page":2,"next_page":null,"prev_page":1,"total_pages":2,"limit_value":10,"offset_value":10,"total_count":18,"first_page?":false,"last_page?":true}},"data":[{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c24","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Chronological file","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c24#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c24","ref_ssm":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c24"],"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c24","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07","parent_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07","parent_ssim":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour"],"text":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour","Chronological file","Harbour, John E.","English .","box 46","folder 4"],"title_filing_ssi":"Chronological file","title_ssm":["Chronological file"],"title_tesim":["Chronological file"],"unitdate_other_ssim":[" January-March 1987 "],"normalized_date_ssm":["1987"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chronological file"],"component_level_isim":[2],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"creator_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"sort_isi":2134,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"date_range_isim":[1987],"names_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"persname_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"language_ssim":["English ."],"containers_ssim":["box 46","folder 4"],"_nest_path_":"/components#6/components#23","timestamp":"2026-05-21T05:50:40.181Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/MV/repositories_2_resources_45.xml","title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"unitdate_ssm":["1850-1996"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1850-1996"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"text":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45","Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.","This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.","Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200","This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.","- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection","This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"","Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge","English \n.    "],"unitid_tesim":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"repository_ssm":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"creator_ssm":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creators_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"extent_tesim":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"date_range_isim":[1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eList of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis item is available digitally - DA_000263\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMonthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of this file are available - DA_000200\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["General","General","General","General","General","General","General"],"odd_tesim":["Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eTwo slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eGroup of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOne black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\""],"names_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"corpname_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission"],"persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"language_ssim":["English \n.    "],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":2506,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T05:50:40.181Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c24"}},{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c25","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Chronological file","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c25#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c25","ref_ssm":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c25"],"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c25","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07","parent_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07","parent_ssim":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour"],"text":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour","Chronological file","Harbour, John E.","English .","box 46","folder 5"],"title_filing_ssi":"Chronological file","title_ssm":["Chronological file"],"title_tesim":["Chronological file"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["April-June 1987 "],"normalized_date_ssm":["1987"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Chronological file"],"component_level_isim":[2],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"creator_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"sort_isi":2135,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"date_range_isim":[1987],"names_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"persname_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"language_ssim":["English ."],"containers_ssim":["box 46","folder 5"],"_nest_path_":"/components#6/components#24","timestamp":"2026-05-21T05:50:40.181Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/MV/repositories_2_resources_45.xml","title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"unitdate_ssm":["1850-1996"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1850-1996"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"text":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45","Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.","This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.","Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200","This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.","- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection","This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"","Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge","English \n.    "],"unitid_tesim":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"repository_ssm":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"creator_ssm":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creators_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"extent_tesim":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"date_range_isim":[1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eList of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis item is available digitally - DA_000263\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMonthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of this file are available - DA_000200\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["General","General","General","General","General","General","General"],"odd_tesim":["Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eTwo slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eGroup of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOne black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\""],"names_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"corpname_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission"],"persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"language_ssim":["English \n.    "],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":2506,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T05:50:40.181Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c25"}},{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c27","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Correspondence","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c27#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c27","ref_ssm":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c27"],"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c27","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07","parent_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07","parent_ssim":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour"],"text":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour","Correspondence","Harbour, John E.","English .","box 46","folder 7"],"title_filing_ssi":"Correspondence","title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"title_tesim":["Correspondence"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["1984-1985 "],"normalized_date_ssm":["1984"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"component_level_isim":[2],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"creator_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"sort_isi":2137,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"date_range_isim":[1984],"names_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"persname_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"language_ssim":["English ."],"containers_ssim":["box 46","folder 7"],"_nest_path_":"/components#6/components#26","timestamp":"2026-05-21T05:50:40.181Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/MV/repositories_2_resources_45.xml","title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"unitdate_ssm":["1850-1996"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1850-1996"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"text":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45","Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.","This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.","Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200","This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.","- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection","This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"","Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge","English \n.    "],"unitid_tesim":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"repository_ssm":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"creator_ssm":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creators_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"extent_tesim":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"date_range_isim":[1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eList of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis item is available digitally - DA_000263\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMonthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of this file are available - DA_000200\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["General","General","General","General","General","General","General"],"odd_tesim":["Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eTwo slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eGroup of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOne black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\""],"names_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"corpname_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission"],"persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"language_ssim":["English \n.    "],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":2506,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T05:50:40.181Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c27"}},{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c28","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Correspondence","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c28#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c28","ref_ssm":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c28"],"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c28","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07","parent_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07","parent_ssim":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour"],"text":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour","Correspondence","Harbour, John E.","English .","box 46","folder 8"],"title_filing_ssi":"Correspondence","title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"title_tesim":["Correspondence"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1986-1987 "],"normalized_date_ssm":["1986"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"component_level_isim":[2],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"creator_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"sort_isi":2138,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"date_range_isim":[1986],"names_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"persname_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"language_ssim":["English ."],"containers_ssim":["box 46","folder 8"],"_nest_path_":"/components#6/components#27","timestamp":"2026-05-21T05:50:40.181Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/MV/repositories_2_resources_45.xml","title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"unitdate_ssm":["1850-1996"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1850-1996"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"text":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45","Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.","This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.","Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200","This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.","- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection","This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"","Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge","English \n.    "],"unitid_tesim":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"repository_ssm":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"creator_ssm":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creators_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"extent_tesim":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"date_range_isim":[1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eList of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis item is available digitally - DA_000263\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMonthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of this file are available - DA_000200\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["General","General","General","General","General","General","General"],"odd_tesim":["Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eTwo slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eGroup of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOne black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\""],"names_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"corpname_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission"],"persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"language_ssim":["English \n.    "],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":2506,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T05:50:40.181Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c28"}},{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c29","type":"File","attributes":{"title":"Correspondence – Miscellaneous","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c29#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c29","ref_ssm":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c29"],"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c29","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07","parent_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07","parent_ssim":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour"],"text":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour","Correspondence – Miscellaneous","Harbour, John E.","English .","box 46","folder 9"],"title_filing_ssi":"Correspondence – Miscellaneous","title_ssm":["Correspondence – Miscellaneous"],"title_tesim":["Correspondence – Miscellaneous"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1982-1986 "],"normalized_date_ssm":["1982/1986"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Correspondence – Miscellaneous"],"component_level_isim":[2],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"creator_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"level_ssm":["File"],"level_ssim":["File"],"sort_isi":2139,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"date_range_isim":[1982,1983,1984,1985,1986],"names_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"persname_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"language_ssim":["English ."],"containers_ssim":["box 46","folder 9"],"_nest_path_":"/components#6/components#28","timestamp":"2026-05-21T05:50:40.181Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/MV/repositories_2_resources_45.xml","title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"unitdate_ssm":["1850-1996"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1850-1996"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"text":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45","Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.","This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.","Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200","This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.","- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection","This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"","Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge","English \n.    "],"unitid_tesim":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"repository_ssm":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"creator_ssm":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creators_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"extent_tesim":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"date_range_isim":[1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eList of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis item is available digitally - DA_000263\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMonthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of this file are available - DA_000200\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["General","General","General","General","General","General","General"],"odd_tesim":["Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eTwo slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eGroup of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOne black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\""],"names_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"corpname_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission"],"persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"language_ssim":["English \n.    "],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":2506,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T05:50:40.181Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07_c29"}},{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c11_c02","type":"Item","attributes":{"title":"John E. Harbour – Drawing, Conference Room, Mt. Vernon Library and Research Center","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c11_c02#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c11_c02","ref_ssm":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c11_c02"],"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c11_c02","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c11","parent_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c11","parent_ssim":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c11"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c11"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Oversize and Bound Volumes"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Oversize and Bound Volumes"],"text":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Oversize and Bound Volumes","John E. Harbour – Drawing, Conference Room, Mt. Vernon Library and Research Center","Harbour, John E.","English .","box 61"],"title_filing_ssi":"John E. Harbour – Drawing, Conference Room, Mt. Vernon Library and Research Center","title_ssm":["John E. Harbour – Drawing, Conference Room, Mt. Vernon Library and Research Center"],"title_tesim":["John E. Harbour – Drawing, Conference Room, Mt. Vernon Library and Research Center"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["April 21, 1982"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1982"],"normalized_title_ssm":["John E. Harbour – Drawing, Conference Room, Mt. Vernon Library and Research Center"],"component_level_isim":[2],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"creator_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"level_ssm":["Item"],"level_ssim":["Item"],"sort_isi":2501,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"date_range_isim":[1982],"names_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"persname_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"language_ssim":["English ."],"containers_ssim":["box 61"],"_nest_path_":"/components#10/components#1","timestamp":"2026-05-21T05:50:40.181Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/MV/repositories_2_resources_45.xml","title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"unitdate_ssm":["1850-1996"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1850-1996"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"text":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45","Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.","This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.","Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200","This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.","- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection","This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"","Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge","English \n.    "],"unitid_tesim":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"repository_ssm":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"creator_ssm":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creators_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"extent_tesim":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"date_range_isim":[1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eList of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis item is available digitally - DA_000263\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMonthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of this file are available - DA_000200\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["General","General","General","General","General","General","General"],"odd_tesim":["Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eTwo slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eGroup of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOne black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\""],"names_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"corpname_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission"],"persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"language_ssim":["English \n.    "],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":2506,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T05:50:40.181Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c11_c02"}},{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","creator":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eThis collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. Most of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/MV/repositories_2_resources_45.xml","title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"unitdate_ssm":["1850-1996"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1850-1996"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"text":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45","Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.","This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.","Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200","This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.","- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection","This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"","Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge","English \n.    "],"unitid_tesim":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"repository_ssm":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"creator_ssm":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creators_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"extent_tesim":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"date_range_isim":[1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eList of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis item is available digitally - DA_000263\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMonthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of this file are available - DA_000200\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["General","General","General","General","General","General","General"],"odd_tesim":["Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eTwo slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eGroup of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOne black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\""],"names_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"corpname_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission"],"persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"language_ssim":["English \n.    "],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":2506,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T05:50:40.181Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/MV/repositories_2_resources_45.xml","title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"unitdate_ssm":["1850-1996"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1850-1996"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"text":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45","Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.","This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.","Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200","This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.","- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection","This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"","Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge","English \n.    "],"unitid_tesim":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"repository_ssm":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"creator_ssm":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creators_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"extent_tesim":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"date_range_isim":[1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eList of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis item is available digitally - DA_000263\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMonthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of this file are available - DA_000200\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["General","General","General","General","General","General","General"],"odd_tesim":["Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eTwo slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eGroup of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOne black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\""],"names_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"corpname_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission"],"persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"language_ssim":["English \n.    "],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":2506,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T05:50:40.181Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45"}},{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07","type":"Series","attributes":{"title":"Series 7. John E. Harbour","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07","ref_ssm":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07"],"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45_c07","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","parent_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","parent_ssim":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"text":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","Series 7. John E. Harbour","Harbour, John E.","English .","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically."],"title_filing_ssi":"Series 7. John E. Harbour","title_ssm":["Series 7. John E. Harbour"],"title_tesim":["Series 7. John E. Harbour"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1960-1987"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1960/1987"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Series 7. John E. Harbour"],"component_level_isim":[1],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"creator_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":147,"level_ssm":["Series"],"level_ssim":["Series"],"sort_isi":2110,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"date_range_isim":[1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987],"names_ssim":["Harbour, John E."],"persname_ssim":["Harbour, John E.","Harbour, John E.","Harbour, John E.","Harbour, John E.","Harbour, John E.","Harbour, John E.","Harbour, John E.","Harbour, John E.","Harbour, John E.","Harbour, John E.","Harbour, John E.","Harbour, John E.","Harbour, John E.","Harbour, John E.","Harbour, John E.","Harbour, John E."],"language_ssim":["English ."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically."],"_nest_path_":"/components#6","timestamp":"2026-05-21T05:50:40.181Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_ssi":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_root_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","_nest_parent_":"vimtvl_repositories_2_resources_45","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/MV/repositories_2_resources_45.xml","title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"unitdate_ssm":["1850-1996"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1850-1996"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"text":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45","Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director","This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.","This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.","Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200","This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.","- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection","This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"","Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge","English \n.    "],"unitid_tesim":["A.SRD","/repositories/2/resources/45"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_title_tesim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"collection_ssim":["Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director"],"repository_ssm":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"repository_ssim":["The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon"],"creator_ssm":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"creators_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"extent_tesim":["60 Linear Feet 52 cubic feet boxes, 5 full Hollinger boxes, 3 half Hollinger boxes, and 4 oversize manuscript boxes"],"date_range_isim":[1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["This collection is open to research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. According to the policies of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, certain records in the archives may only be available for research 30 years after creation or file date. The library reserves the right to restrict access to items for preservation purposes."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eList of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAlphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement","Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection has been divided into 8 series. The first two series contain administrative and subject files that overlap through the terms of multiple Superintendents or Resident Directors. The next six series are in chronological order by service and are named for the corresponding man. Photographs and oversize material are filed at the end of the collection.","List of Series:\nSeries 1. Administrative Files\nSeries 2. Subject Files\nSeries 3. Harrison H. Dodge \nSeries 4. Charles C. Wall\nSeries 5. Harrison Symmes\nSeries 6. John A. Castellani\nSeries 7. John E. Harbour\nSeries 8. Neil W. Horstman","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically.","Alphabetically by folder title, then chronologically."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["The position of Superintendent of Mount Vernon, also called \"Secretary\" in the earlier years of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, was created in 1860 when Colonel Upton Herbert was hired. A veteran of the Mexican War, Herbert was recommended by John Augustine Washington III as being especially suited to assisting the MVLA. Mr. Herbert and Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, were largely responsible for the care and maintenance of Mount Vernon during the Civil War when the Regent and most Vice Regents were unable to travel to the estate. When hiring a new Superintendent, J. McHenry Hollingsworth in 1872, the Council explained the responsibilities of the Superintendent more thoroughly saying he \"should act as general manager of the estate; that one of the most important features in the general instructions to be given him shall be, that he shall at all times consider the dignity and comfort of the Regent; that he shall always bear in mind the deep obligations of the Association to her; and that he has been appointed for the purpose of relieving her of the very arduous duties that are so oppressive to her; that he shall keep the accounts of expenditures and receipts, which are to be at all times open to the inspection of the Regent, Vice Regents, and Advisory Committee, with whom, in all matters of perplexity, he shall consult, and be guided by their decisions.\" His salary was to be $1500 per year. ","After discovering decay in the foundations of the Mansion in 1885, the Vice Regents suspected negligence on the part of Hollingsworth. The Vice Regent from Georgia, Mrs. Eve questioned, \"Would it be too much to say that the first and greatest duty of the Superintendent is the preservation of the Mansion?\" The Council went on to pass a resolution stating that the duty of the Superintendent is to examine all parts of the Mansion and report defects to the Regent, and concluded that he should \"not at any time be ignorant of the state of the mansion.\" Harrison H. Dodge was hired later that year and remains the longest serving Superintendent (or equivalent) of Mount Vernon at 52 years. Mr. Dodge's priority was cleaning, restoring, and preserving the house and grounds. He was also particularly interested in fire safety, advocating for the installation of electricity in the Mansion to prevent any accidents from candlelight or kerosene lamps.","After Dodge's death in 1937, his assistant Charles C. Wall became the new Superintendent and later changed the position's title to Resident Director. Wall described the Superintendent's job in a book he coauthored with Gerald W. Johnson entitled Mount Vernon: The Story of a Shrine, saying the position required someone \"not exactly a farmer, yet a man acquainted with soils, seasons, and the proper handling of growing plants.\" He went on to say the director should have traits of a theatrical producer, an accountant, an antiquarian, a historian, and an ambassador, with some knowledge of engineering, carpentry, masonry, and domestic service. Wall also spent almost his entire career at Mount Vernon, retiring in 1976 after 43 years of employment at Mount Vernon. He is credited with impeccable hospitality of numerous VIP guests, overseeing major building and restoration projects, such as the reconstruction of the Greenhouse, and guiding the Estate through the years of World War II and other periods when visitation was down. He wrote extensively on George Washington and Mount Vernon, including several publications as well as internal reports and essays.","The next two decades saw four different but distinguished Directors who all brought their own gifts and talents to the position. Harrison Symmes replaced Charles Wall as Resident Director in January 1977. A World War II veteran, Symmes had also served as an Ambassador to Jordan and as President of Windham College in Vermont. Although he resigned in 1979 after only 2 ½ years in the position, he was credited by his Assistant Director, John A. Castellani, as someone who \"opened the doors to a new era of reevaluation, exploration, and change.\" Mr. Castellani succeeded Symmes as Resident Director and stayed in that role until 1984. His focus was largely on fundraising as he successfully guided Mount Vernon through a Capital Campaign effort to build a new administration and research facility on the grounds, the Ann Pamela Cunningham Building. John E. Harbour served in the position from 1984 to 1987 after several previous directorships at historic sites and museums. Harbour worked to improve research access to historic collections and update interpretation of museum exhibits. He helped implement a reorganization plan at Mount Vernon, creating a Research Department and expanding the roles of other departments including Education, Curatorial, Library, and Development. Harbour also wrote the \"Report on the Recommended Improvements to the Museum, Museum Annex and Outbuildings\" in 1986. Several major accomplishments marked the tenure of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director from 1987 to 1994, including the Historic Structures Report, the first stages of the Pioneer Farm project, and the Piscataway Park Expansion.","The Superintendents and Resident Directors have continuously lived on the grounds at Mount Vernon. Harrison Dodge stayed on the second floor of the Office Dependency (now called the Servant's Hall), with his office on the ground floor. His family lived at their home in Georgetown and he often went home on the weekends. When the Administration Building (now the Frances P. Bolton Building) was constructed, he moved into quarters on the ground floor along with his assistant, James Young. A new residence was built in 1936 for Charles Cecil Wall after he had assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent, to accommodate him and his family. This house has remained the residence for each succeeding Resident Director or President, CEO, and has undergone multiple upgrades and renovations."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis item is available digitally - DA_000263\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eItems available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMonthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDigital copies of this file are available - DA_000200\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["General","General","General","General","General","General","General"],"odd_tesim":["Digital copies of some items from this folder are available - DA_000207\n(17 pages from the folder: Equipment - Electrical, 1922-1935 concerning the updates done to the Mansion's electricity and a central versus isolated plant)","Items from this folder are available digitally - DA_000224\n(3 black and white photographs showing the installation of lights and equipment for the Sound and Light Show, 1975-1977)","This item is available digitally - DA_000263","Items available digitally - DA_000213\n(Letter from Buzz Aldrin thanking the MVLA for hosting a nice VIP visit for the Soviet cosmonauts, 1970; news clipping concerning the cosmonauts tour of the US)","Digital copies of 3 letters from this folder are available - DA_000204\n(3 letters concerning the replacement of the lights in the Mansion with electric lighting, 1916; Also, the visit of Thomas Edison to Mount Vernon to inspect the wiring and installation)","Monthly reports for June, July, and September 1916 are available digitally - DA_000206","Digital copies of this file are available - DA_000200"],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["[Name and date of item], The Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director, [Series, Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia. \nSee the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["This collection was arranged following the organization in which the material was found. Previous re-foldering and alphabetical arrangement in filing cabinets had been done by former library staff to a large portion of the collection. All original folder titles were kept, although the meaning of some descriptors may be lost to the current audience – for example the sequence of \"P.R.\" folder titles in Series 4, Charles Wall's papers."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["- Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports 1885-1976\n- Papers of James Rees\n- Financial Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Publications of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association\n- Audio Visual Collection"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eTwo slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eGroup of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSmall black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOne black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBlack and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColor photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\"\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection combines the papers and files of each Superintendent or Resident Director listed under \"Creators,\" as well as their office staff, assistants, and other Mount Vernon personnel. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence to and from each Superintendent or Resident Director. Other types of material include reports, essays, memos, publications, clippings, official forms, logs or diaries of events, calendars, schedules, photographs, and ephemera. Subject matter includes a wide variety of topics and concerns for operating and maintaining an historic house. The Resident Directors oversaw almost all major projects and events around Mount Vernon such as building and grounds maintenance, restoration, fundraising, collection of historic artifacts, visitor engagement, and administrative functions. Dodge and Wall were both well known for their involvement in even the smallest details of the operation of Mount Vernon and this is reflected in the volume and scope of their files. Later Resident Directors began keeping chronological files which are also a great resource for understanding projects from specific years and periods of Mount Vernon's history. Both Charles Wall and John Castellani were employees of Mount Vernon before they were appointed Resident Director, and their files include material from previous job assignments. The majority of material reflects Charles Wall's tenure as Resident Director, the 1930s to 1970s, however, there is a substantial amount from the other directors as well. Several folders may extend into the term of James (Jim) Rees who served as Resident Director (later President) of Mount Vernon from 1994 to 2012. \nMost of the letters written by Superintendent Harrison Dodge were laminated or adhered to a tissue or paper backing, and bound together into a multiple volume set. These bound volumes, along with the original work diaries kept by Dodge, have been combined into a separate collection, the Bound Volumes of Superintendent's Letters, Diaries, and Monthly Reports. A finding aid for this collection is also available.","Includes items from his research on furnishing the greenhouse slave quarters.","Pen and ink drawing to show proposed drainage tunnels that were dug after a landslide in 1903. The tunnels were to prevent future erosion and landslides.","Letter from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the Regent, Alice Richards, May 1, 1936. Mrs. Roosevelt confirms she will visit Mount Vernon for tea and handwrites a message about the President's attendance at the bottom.","1933 document titled \"How to See Mount Vernon in one day.\"","Letter from President Dwight Eisenhower to Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director, thanking him for his recent visit to Mount Vernon. June 23, 1958.","These photographs were removed from folders within the collection for preservation purposes. Removal slips have been placed in their exact location within the folder to mark their withdrawal. Folder titles in this section correspond to the files with withdrawn photographs.","6 color Polaroid photos of the emptying of the CO2 tanks in front of the Mansion.","5 small color photographs of gardens adhered to a page and labeled \"Views of the Mount Vernon Garden Replica, American Museum in Britain by Mrs. Labouisse, May 1968.\"","2 color snapshot photographs – 1 shows the author (?) feeding a bird","Black and white photograph of the Mount Vernon Board of Visitors, 1939. Image is labeled on the reverse.","Color photographs showing different views of the estate and Mansion rooms, ca. 1984","Black and white photographs of Rosemont, Ann Pamela Cunningham's home, a portrait of Cunningham, and her grave.","Two slides and two transparencies of images from the Garden Book","Black and white photograph of a with wrought iron bench. The letter \"C\" has been written at the center bottom of the image.","Black and white photograph of the well house with a woman inside by the well, circa 1895. Reverse side says that it was taken by photographer Francis B. Johnston.","3 black and white photographs taken in September 1925 of the historic home of Menokin, Virginia","Black and white photographs of the view from Mount Vernon and the Maryland shore, ca. 1960s.","Small black and white or sepia photograph showing the memorial tablet placed at Pohick Church, undated","Group of black and white photographs all stamped \"International News Photo\" on the reverse, showing people touring the Mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon. Many of the tourists are military personnel in uniform, 1940-1944.","Small black and white photograph of people in costume for the Fourth of July at Mount Vernon","Color photographs showing trees cut for lumber and the making of shingles, 1973","Black and white photograph of MVLA Regent, Mrs. Guy with other ceremony participants, laying the wreath on the slave memorial, 1983","3 black and white photographs of the Sound and Light construction, taken by Robert Fisher, October 1975","Black and white and color prints, as well as negatives and transparencies, of the Texas Gate, the Texas Gate plaques, and its \"historic bricks\" given in honor of donor support.","3 color 8 x 10 photos showing a memorial tree planting by Ambassador Brewster at Washington Old Hall in Newcastle, UK. Also, 1 color slide showing a man at Mount Vernon beside the tree seedling, 1977-1978","3 black and white 8 x 10 photographs taken during President Kennedy's party for the President of Pakistan at Mount Vernon, 1961","Small black and white photograph of two men, one guest and one guard, in front of Washington's tomb. Writing beneath the image reads \"Col. William G. Edens and Guard at Washington's tomb, Mount Vernon, VA., May 1936.\"","3 small black and white photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, 1956 – subject referred to in letter","Black and white print with two photographs – one image shows painters working on the exterior of the Mansion, the other image shows a newly painted Mansion exterior.","One black and white photo and three black and white postcards showing the exterior of Mount Vernon. The postcards have a caption commemorating GW's Bicentennial, 1932.","15 different sized black and white photograph prints from various dates and events. Subjects include visitors and employees around Mount Vernon estate, and a ceremony at Ann Pamela Cunningham's tomb. These photographs were all included in a folder of Walter Densmore's papers.","Black and white photographic print showing a group of people standing in front of the Little Hatchet Tavern (now the Mount Vernon Inn) with sign and bus in the background. The assitant to the resident director, Walter Densmore, is seen second from left. Stamp on reverse reads \"Photographed by the official photographer Memphis City Beautiful Commission.\" 1955.","Black and white photographic print of the President of Ireland's visit to Mount Vernon, March 18, 1959. Standing on the east lawn with Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director.","Black and white photographic print of the dedication ceremony for a marker or memorial for Ann Pamela Cunningham at the site of Rosemont plantation in Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter Densmore, assistant to the resident director appears second to the left. August 15, 1959","Black and white portrait photographs (3) of Neil W. Horstman, Resident Director","2 black and white photographs showing Vice Regents and attendees at the Vaughan Party, May 1989","These photographs were loose in a box and were not part of, or removed from, another folder in the collection.","Pen and ink drawing of the proposed tunnels for prevention of landslides","Color photograph print reproduction with some hand coloring. Matted with the seal of the State of Virginia, signed by the governor and photographer Frank Dementi, \"To Mr. Charles C. Wall, From the People of Virginia\""],"names_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission","Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"corpname_ssim":["Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association","Memphis (Tenn.). City Beautiful Commission"],"persname_ssim":["Wall, Charles Cecil, 1903-1995","Symmes, Harrison M., 1921-2010","Castellani, John A., 1944-1993","Harbour, John E.","Horstman, Neil W., 1946-2020","Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937","Philibert, Estelle","Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977","Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980","Thane, Elswyth, 1900-1984","Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977","Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875","Everett, Edward, 1794-1865","Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962","Richards, Alice Haliburton King, 1860-1936","Hanks, Mary Esther Vilas, 1873-1959","Heiberg, Harrison Howell Dodge, Jr., 1925-1990","Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969","Harkness, Hope Hodgman Powel, 1889-1974","Young , James","Rouse, Harrison Dodge"],"language_ssim":["English \n.    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