Collections : [The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon]

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
Primary Collecting Areas:
George and Martha Washington, Mount Vernon, Founding Era and Early Republic, Historic preservation, Decorative arts, Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
Description:

The Fred W. Smith National Library includes general collections, special collections and archives as a resource for scholars, students, and those interested in George Washington, colonial America and the Revolutionary and founding eras.

The library's general collections include secondary source materials on the Washington and Custis families, and the colonial and founding eras.

The Special Collections materials highlight the lives of George and Martha Washington as well as their descendants through correspondence, financial materials, and original books from George and Martha Washington's library.

The archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association holds the historic institutional records of the organization dating back to its founding in 1853.

POC: Reference services
Phone: (703) 780-3600
Start Over Repository The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon Subjects Maps (documents)
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Richard H. Brown Revolutionary War Map Collection, 1740/1799

50 Linear Feet

This collection contains approximately 300 rare printed maps, unique manuscript maps, and published texts collected by Richard H. Brown, which pertain to the American Revolutionary War era.

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The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Paul Stevens map collection, 1541/1778

26 Sheets

The collection contains 26 maps of the New World, dating 1541-1778, which illustrate the progression of European geographic knowledge about Virginia and North America from the 16th through the 18th centuries

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Americæ pars, nunc Virginia dicta : primum ab Anglis inuenta, sumtibus Dn. Walteri Raleigh, Equestris ordinis Viri, Anno Dn̄i. MDLXXXV regni Vero Sereniss. nostræ Reginæ Elisabethæ XXVII, hujus vero Historia peculiari Libro descripta est, additis etiam Indigenarum Iconibus, 1590 1 Sheets Drawer 122 : L : 4, Section 3

"Theodore De Bry's engraving of John White's manuscript map was the first finely-detailed view of a North American landscape. It depicts English claims to "Virginia," which at the time encompassed both modern Virginia and North Carolina. Created in the wake of the failed English settlement at Roanoke Island, De Bry's color engraving visualizes English understanding of indigenous political communities such as the Secotan, Chawanook, and Weapemeoc peoples. At right, the ships heading into the Chesapeake Bay suggest future pathways for settlement and commerce." -- Mapping the "New World": Highlights from the Paul Schott Stevens Collection

The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Ted and Mary Wendell early American collection, 1721/1826

.5 Linear Feet 14 Sheets

This collection consist of 47 documents, 10 maps, and 1 map slipcase collected by Ted and Mary Wendell. The collection pertains to George Washington and includes 25 documents written, annotated, or signed by Washington. Much of the material concerns the Revolutionary War, western land claims following the French and Indian War, and British and American governmental records. The dates of the material range from 1721-1826.

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A general map of the middle British colonies, in America; viz. Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pensilvania, New-Jersey, New-York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island: Of Aquanishuonîgy, the country of the Confederate Indians; comprehending Aquanishuonîgy proper, their place of residence, Ohio and Tïiuxsoxrúntie, their deer-hunting countries, Couxsaxráge and Skaniadarâde, their beaver-hunting countries; of the Lakes Erie, Ontário, and Champlain, and part of New-France: Wherein is also shewn the antient and present seats of the Indian nations, 1758 1 Sheets Drawer 122 : L : 4, Section 5, Folder OUT

Copied from the 1755 original, includes historical notes and 3 distance tables. It also locates hundreds of European and Native American settlements and depicts networks of roads and trails. Includes notations for Dartmouth College, the location of 'elephant bones', salt and limestone deposits, petroleum in western Pennsylvania, and coal in Ohio.

  1. Series 3. Oversize

A map of Louisiana and of the river Mississipi: this map of the Mississipi is most humbly inscribed to William Law of Lanreston, Esq, 1721 1 Sheets Drawer 122 : L : 4, Section 5

This map of French Louisiana and the Mississippi Valley is from,'A new general atlas, containing a geographical and historical account of all the empires, kingdoms, and other dominions of the world', 1721. Includes information about Native American settlements.

  1. Series 3. Oversize
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Historic map collection, 1675/1971

22 Sheets

This collection of historic maps date from 1675-1971, and primarily relate to the Washington and Custis families, the Revolutionary War, and society life in antebellum Washington D.C. and Virginia. Includes matching editions of maps personally owned by George Washington.

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The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon Black and White Film Collection, 1933/2005

30 Linear Feet Variety of container sizes based on film negative sizes and types. 5 Linear Feet

The Historical Photograph Collection is largely comprised of materials created by or for the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Photographers primarily include staff members and contract photographers. The collection spans the 1930s to the 2000s and includes analog material made up of a variety of sizes of film negatives providing a visual history of the Mansion, outbuildings, tombs, grounds, events, visitors, collection objects, personnel, restoration, and changes throughout the estate.

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The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

George Washington collection, 1654/1799

approx. 25 Linear Feet

This collection contains letters to and from George Washington that have been aquired by the MVLA since 1858. For more information, see content note for individal items. The collection grows organically as new items are acquired.

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Map, A map of the most inhabited part of New England: containing the provinces of Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire, with the colonies of Conecticut and Rhode Island, divided into counties and townships: the whole composed from actual surveys and its situation adjusted by astronomical observations, 1755 1 Sheets Box 40

Detailed hand-colored map of New England, compiled by Braddock Mead (alias John Green) and published by Thomas Jefferys in 1755. Green was an Irish translator, geographer, and editor, as well as one of the most talented British map-makers at mid-century. This map is a George Washington original edition and was part of Washington's personal library.

  1. Series 4. Oversized
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933

approx. 60 Linear Feet

This collection of historic manuscripts dates from 1607-1933, with the bulk of materials dating from 1738-1868. The correspondence, journals and diaries, legal and financial records, estate documents, and printed ephemera in the collection primarily relate to the Washington and Custis families, the Revolutionary War, and society life in antebellum Washington D.C. and Virginia.

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Map, John Augustine Washington II' s part of Mount Vernon, 1831 2 pages Box 89 OVERSIZE, Folder 1831.05.10

D. 2 pages. Labeled "A Map of Mount Vernon,"--gives boundary lines of J.A.W.'s part of estate--also shows parts held by Bush. C. Washington and heirs of Bushrod Jr.-- Survey made by James M. Brown, Deputy Sur. of Jefferson Cty., May 10th 1831. Silked. Some corrections made in 1845. A map and survey labeled "A Map of Mount Vernon" and docketed "Platt +c. of Mr. John A. Washington's part of Mount Vernon, 1225 acres."

  1. Series 3. Oversized Documents and Manuscripts

Map, Plan of operations of General Washington against the King's troops in New Jersey, 1777 Box 88 OVERSIZE, Folder 1777.04.15

Map, "Plan of the Operations of General Washington against The Kings Troops in New Jersey, from the 26th of December 1776 to the 3rd January 1777 by William Faden." London, Published according to Act of Parliament 15th April 1777 by Wm Faden, Corner of St Martins Lane, Charing Cross.

  1. Series 3. Oversized Documents and Manuscripts
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Historical Photograph Collection, 1850/2010

89 Linear Feet Variety of container sizes based on photograph sizes and material types. Over-sized items are housed in drawers.

The Historical Photograph Collection is largely comprised of materials created by or for the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Some of the earliest photographs of the estate were created and sold to visitors by the Association as a means of income. Those efforts helped to establish an important collection of 19th century views. The collection spans the 1850s to 2000s and includes over 140 linear feet of analog material providing a visual history of the Mansion, outbuildings, tombs, grounds, events, visitors, collection objects, personnel, and changes throughout the estate.

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