Photograph, French President d'Estaing presents the Sound and Light program to President Ford and Mrs Cooke

Scope and content:

Formal presentation of the Bicentennial gift of the French Republic to the United States at Mount Vernon - a sound and light production recounting some of the memorable events of the Revolution, from Patrick Henry's speech to the Battle of Yorktown as recollected by General Washington reflecting on the past after his retirement to Mount Vernon. French President d'Estaing presents the gift to President Ford who in turn gifted the production to Mount Vernon accepted by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association Regent Mrs. Cooke. The program debuted that evening to hundreds of special guests in attendance for the outdoor event.

Access and use

Location of collection:
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
3600 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Reference services
Phone: (703) 780-3600
Parent restrictions:
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.