Mount Vernon and MVLA Ephemera

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 open for research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. The library reserves the right to restrict access to certain items for preservation purposes.

Preferred citation:

[Name and date of item], Mount Vernon and MVLA Ephemera, [Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, The George Washington Presidential Library [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia

Summary

Extent:
0.5 Linear Feet 1 Hollinger box
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Name and date of item], Mount Vernon and MVLA Ephemera, [Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, The George Washington Presidential Library [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia

Background

Scope and content:

This artificial collection combines individual accessions or acquistions of ephemera pieces related to Mount Vernon or the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association (MVLA). Items often concern the visitor's experience or tourism, such as railway timetables, menus, and souvenirs. Several documents were created by the MVLA for guests, and were made to represent or commemorate their visit. Other items include Christmas cards, souvenir maps, and information leaflets or brochures. The inclusive date range covers the entire period of the MVLA's ownership of Mount Vernon, ca. 1860 to present.

Two copies of a decorative lithograph featuring an image of the Washington monument in Richmond, Virginia with a poem or eulogy to Washington. Given for contributions to the Mount Vernon Fund, 1858. Printed by Devereux and Co. Philadelphia.

Small print reproduction adhered to decorative card. Note on reverse reads "From an engraving by J.B. Longacre, of an original miniature by Robertson, in the possession of G.W.P. Custis, Esq. This photograph sold only by the Mount Vernon Aid Association of the State of New York, for a Centennial Fund for the repair and maintenance of Mount Vernon. 1876"

Advertisement card with times of departure, points of interest, and other information on the steamer Charles Macalester's trips to Mount Vernon.

Small printed time table for steamer service to Mount Vernon and Marshall Hall.

Timetable and information about the Washington-Virgina Railway route to Mount Vernon and other sites.

"Sight-seeing map of the historic Potomac River: Points of interest visible from the deck or saloon of the Potomac River steamers." Copyright 1914, by G.W. Atkinson, E.E., Washington, D.C.

Menu, "Mount Vernon Inn, Mount Vernon, Virginia, Edw. C. Gibbs proprietor, Souvenirs, Post Cards, In Waiting Room." Mr. Gibbs restaurant, the Mount Vernon Inn, was located in the terminal railway station just outside MVLA property.

"George Washington's Map of his Mount Vernon Estate - Modern roads and neighborhoods are noted in red ink." Facsimile reproduction of the original in the Huntington Library, reproduced by permission. Additions Copyright 1931 by the Huntington Library, published by the MVLA, 1945.

Napkin from an unknown event for the Bicentennial of Washington's birth, 1932. Design shows image of Washington and Mount Vernon with dates 1732 and 1932.

Invitation to the Washington Ball held by the Illinois Daughters of the American Revolution at the 1934 World's Fair. "The Colonial Village at A Century of Progress cordially invites you to The Martha Washington Ball at Mount Vernon and the preview of the Colonial Village."

Playbill for Broadway show, includes an advertisement for Mount Vernon whiskey, 1939.

Handbook with notes and pressed leaves taken during a visit to Mount Vernon, ca. 1940. Miss Tordis Orin of Washington, D.C.

Memorial brochure, "Uncle Sam Remembers" for Lieutenant David N. Murdock "who gave his life in battle for his country on the hostile shores of Sicily August 11, 1943. With historical and descriptive information on Mount Vernon written by Myrtle M. Murdock.

Christmas card with message dated December 29, 1946. From Emma V. White to Mrs. Laidlaw (probably addressed to a Mrs. Laidlaw who worked for the MVLA as a housekeeper). Decoratone card.

Ticket for admission or entrance into Mount Vernon. The price for admission was increased to $1.50 in 1974, the amount charged on this ticket.

Christmas card, blank. Inside message reads "Sincere Greetings and all Good Wishes for the holiday season." undated, Spirit of '76 , 305, Made in U.S.A.

Invitation brochure with trip information and rsvp form. Trip itinerary with locations in Washington, D.C., Alexandria, and Philadelphia.

"Confidential Tour Evaluation" for visitors to fill out. These probably date from the beginning of the interpretation program at Mount Vernon in the 1980s.

Menu for the Mount Vernon Inn, ca. 1995

Print menu for a dinner of the Mount Vernon 100, a past donor group.

Promotional leaflet and button pins, "Vote for George" campaign to have funds from the National Trust for Historic Preservation given to Mount Vernon.

Program for the meeting of the Washington family descendants meeting and 60th anniversary celebration. Included is an ink drawing of the Washington family coat of arms.

Button pins used for marketing and promotional purposes in the campaign to save Mount Vernon's viewshed.

Program for the event with description of Washington's Gristmill and Distillery.

Program for the Ona Judge Marker Unveiling Ceremony, Hosted by Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck and George Washington's Mount Vernon.

Sample certificate, blank. With signatures of Gail Cassidy, Mount Vernon History Interpreter, and the Regent, Meg Nichols. April 2, 2022.

Print broadside, "Mount Vernon, the Tomb of Washington, Fort Washington, The Steamer Thos Collyer, Runs regularly every Tuesday and Friday Morning," etc. undated.

With cover image, Winter at Mount Vernon watercolor by Paul Hoffmaster, 1984 courtesy of the Kiplinger Collection. Message inside the card reads "Warm Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season, The Regent and Vice Regents of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association."

Small flower seed packet, sold as a souvenir by the MVLA at Mount Vernon, "Flower Seeds from the Mount Vernon Gardens." Image of the East Front of the Mansion, woodcutting by Worth Bailey.

Information sheet, Man or Myth? The Real Truth About George Washington

Birthday card for Washington with image of an 1899 lithograph from a painting by H.A. Ogden, showing the wedding of Nelly Custis. Inside reads "With Best Wishes on the Anniversary of the Birth of George Washington, The Regent and Vice Regents of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association."

Promotional card with image of Mount Vernon. Reads "The three main requisites of a lawyer are learning, diligence, and integrity; but the greatest of these is integrity." And "You can depend on councsel chosen thru The American Bar, presented by B.F. Forster, Minneapolis, Minnesota."

Arrangement:

Chronological. Undated items have been given a designated number starting with 001. Accruals will be given the next consecutive undated number or interfiled according to date.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard