Licensing Department Files

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
Restrictions:

This collection is currently closed to researchers outside of MVLA staff.

Preferred citation:

[Name and date of item], Licensing Department Files, Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Summary

Extent:
56 Linear Feet 30 containers with 3 oversize wallpaper swatch books
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Name and date of item], Licensing Department Files, Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection is made up of paper records and a large portion of special formats including sample products, photographs, blueprint drawings, and large research binders. The paper files consist of contracts, product development and research files, marketing material, and correspondence with companies or manufacturers. Inclusive date range is 1982-2014.

Official contracts and agreements made between Mount Vernon and product manufacturers or makers whose items would be sold in the estate gift shops or licensed under the Mount Vernon name, 1989-2009.

Department correspondence, 1996-2009. For related material and more interfiled correspondence see Series 3. General.

General subject files, research, and product development or marketing information for companies and manufacturers of Mount Vernon items, 1994-2014.

Papers regarding copyright, trademarks, and other legal matters, 1982-2013.

Records regarding payment for licensed products sold under the name or image of Mount Vernon, 2000-2008.

Research information and print photographs or slides of Mount Vernon collection items used as inspiration for new licensed products. Also includes presentation notes and an office procedure notebook.

Blueprint drawings, mostly for furniture design and production, 1993-2006.

MVDR Round Dining Table.

Hickory Chair – MVOC-9-98-12 Oval Cocktail Table

Kindel Furniture Co. – 86-709 Demi-Lune, October 2005

Kindel Furniture Co. – 86-860 Glass Top Cocktail Table, October 2005

Kindel Furniture Co. – 86-811 Round Lamp Table, November 2005

Kindel Furniture Co. – 86-812 Pembroke Table, December 2005

Kindel Furniture Co. – 86-863 Plateau Cocktail Table, January 2006

MVOT 10-93-2 Pembroke Table, undated

MVOT 10-93-31 Kneehole Dressing Table

MVOT Side Table with Marble Top

MVOI 4-96-7 Low Boy Table

MVOT 10-96-5 Window Cocktail Table

MVBR 9-98-03 Night Table

8205-60 Estate Tea Table

8376-01 and 02 Tudor Ball and Claw Arm and Side Chair

8209-60 Estate Pembroke Table

8299-30 Table, 8299-91 Pedestal, 8299-30 Optional Leaves

MVCG 10-11-15 – 8278-18 Tudor Display Stand

MVCG – 10-00-14 Veneer Top Pattern for Mount Vernon Console

Unknown maker – MVOT 10-93-6 Card Table

Hickory Chair – MVDR 10-93-21 Double Pedestal Table, June 1993

Hickory Chair – MVU 10-96-106 Camel Back Sofa, July 1996

Hickory Chair – MVU 10-96-104 Mt. Vernon Bench, August 1996

Hickory Chair – 10-00-14 Console Table, June 2000

Hickory Chair – MVU 10-93-68 Bergere Tight Seat

Hickory Chair – MVDC 4-95-1A Mt. Vernon Chippendale Arm Chair

Hickory Chair – 8277-18 Tudor Place Nest of Tables

Hickory Chair – MVU 10-93-69 Bergere Loose Cushion, June 1993

Hickory Chair – MVDC 10-93-52 Samuel Chase Side Chair, June 1993

Hickory Chair – MVU 10-93-71 Bench, July 1993

Hickory Chair – MVU 10-93-65 Lolling Chair, July 1993

Hickory Chair – MVDC 4-95-1S Mt. Vernon Chippendale Side Chair, December 1994

Hickory Chair – Louis XVI Desk Chair

Hickory Chair – MV 9-98 Powell Coach Sofa, August 1998

Hickory Chair – MVUPH 10-00-131 Tudor Place Gainsboro, June 2000

Hickory Chair – MVU 10-93-66 Small Back Stool, July 1993

Hickory Chair – MVU 10-96-108 Foot Stool, June 1996

Hickory Chair – MVOC-10-98-11 Round Lamp Table, June 1998

Hickory Chair – MVI 10-98-26 George Washington Presidential Chair, August 1998

Hickory Chair – 8376-01 and 02 Tudor Ball, Claw Arm, Side Chair, June 2000

Kindel Furniture – 86-71 Aitken Arm Chair, December 2005

Kindel Furniture – 86-70 Aitken Side Chair, December 2005

Hickory Chair – MVCG 10-00-9A and 9S Shield Back Arm Chair and Side Chair, February 2000

Hickory Chair – MVU 10-00-130 Fautiel Chair, April 2000

Kindel Furniture – 8684 West Parlor Sofa, September 2005

Kindel Furniture – 86-254 Mount Vernon Lolling Chair, Oct. 2005

Hickory Chair – MVDR 9-98-20 Windsor Chair – Arm

Hickory Chair – MVDC 10-93-52 Chase Chair, May 1993

Hickory Chair – MVUI 10-96-100 Chaise Settee, June 1996

Hickory Chair – MVOC 10-98-23 Entertainment Center, Deck and Base, June 1998

Hickory Chair – MVDR 9-98-24/24 Post Drawings for Overseers Cab./China Base, June 1998

Hickory Chair – MVDR-9-98-17 Server, June 1998

Hickory Chair – MVDR 9-98-21 Windsor Chair – Side, June 1998

Hickory Chair – MVDR 9-98-221s Lazy Susan, July 1998

Hickory Chair – MVDR 9-98-16 Settee – Windsor Style, July 1998

Hickory Chair – Mount Vernon Arm Chair and Side Chair

Hickory Chair – MVOT 10-93-4 Candlestand, June 1993

Hickory Chair – MVOT 10-93-3 Tea Table, June 1993

Hickory Chair – MVOT 10-96-3 Lamp Table, 1996

Hickory Chair – MVOT 10-96-1 Cocktail Table, June 1996

Hickory Chair – MVOC 9-98 Drawer End Table, June 1998

Hickory Chair – MVOR 9-98-06 Round Accessory End Table "States Plate, " June 1998

Hickory Chair – MVOC 10-98 Round Cocktail Table, June 1998

Hickory Chair – MVDR 9-98-22 Round Dining Table, July 1998

Hickory Chair – MVOC 9-97-07 Round Lamp Table – Bee Skep, July 1998

Hickory Chair – MVOT 10-93-5 Pie Crust Table, May 1993

Hickory Chair – CM 10-96-9 Bamboo Base Tray Table, June 1996

Hickory Chair – MVOT 10-96-2 End Table, June 1996

Hickory Chair – MV 10-96-21 6/0 Bed, July 1996

Hickory Chair – MVBR 10-98-1 4-Poster Bed/Queen, June 1998

Hickory Chair – MVBR 9-98-04 Writing Desk, July 1998

Hickory Chair – MVUPH 10-00-131 Estate Cocktail Table 8205-60, June 2000

Hickory Chair – Transparencies of drawings, furniture designs for 1999

album only 1/4 full

Martha Washington cotton print in claret, blue, green, and tan; Contarini Woven Damask, 100% Trevira in blue, red, and gold; Chinoiserie A L'Americaine in charcoal, plum, blue, and green; Mount Vernon Toile in wheat, blue, moss, red, and charcoal

Rolls of Mount Vernon toile – Red, wheat, and charcoal; Chinoiserie A L'Americaine – Charcoal, plum, blue, green, red; Mount Vernon Floral Estate – shell, herb, biscuit, oyster, and aqua.

Biographical / historical:

During the MVLA Council in 1991, the Ad Hoc Product Marketing Committee recommended hiring a new professional to oversee estate's licensing program, saying the goals of this program were "to generate a revenue base outside the estate." They continued, saying "licensing presents a financially effective way to expand on revenues; to heighten public awareness of Mount Vernon; to create additional exposure for Mount Vernon and its programs; and to expose the public to and educate them in the fine examples of 18th-century decorative arts." The committee presented a written "philosophy" for a licensing program with a budget and work program. The report recommended the creation of a licensing department to help "generate additional income and reduce the reliance on admission and related revenues." Beverly Addington was hired as the Director of Licensing and Product Development in early 1992. Her previous experience included working at the Smithsonian Institution. Her role was to coordinate with the librarian, the curator, and gift shop managers to research Mount Vernon's collections for potential museum reproduction pieces to sell in the shops. Ms. Addington also formed relationships with companies and manufacturers to use the name "Mount Vernon" on collections of paint, wallpapers, rugs, etc. with the estate receiving royalties from the sale of these products. The responsibilities for her position were described in the 1992 Minutes as: "assessing the collection and finding potential objects; interviewing manufacturers and researching their strengths and weaknesses; creating sketches and designs; reviewing current markets and areas of special consumer interest; negotiating contracts and obtaining advance permissions; setting terms of license agreements; assessing prototypes, a most important decision-point; and marketing of finished items, which is the responsibility of the licensee." Ms. Addington continued in this role until 2016 when she retired. Throughout her 24 years as Director of Licensing, she negotiated contracts and agreements with multiple companies to produce furniture, textiles, china, jewelry, and many other items inspired by Mount Vernon's collections, or the Mansion and grounds. After her retirement, the licensing program was absorbed into the estate's retail operations.

Arrangement:

The paper records are broken down into five series, with addenda of special formats described at the end. Following the structure and organization of the creator, the content of each series is listed alphabetically and then chronologically when appropriate. Description of the addenda is based on physical housing, size, location, etc.

Series 1. Contracts Series 2. Correspondence Series 3. General Series 4. Legal Series 5. Royalties Addenda: Binders, Drawings, Photographs, Product Samples

Alphabetical by folder title, then chronological.

Alphabetical by folder title, then chronological.

Alphabetical by folder title.

Alphabetical by folder title.

Alphabetical by folder title.

Alphabetical

Listed chronologically within each box. Overall item-level list.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard