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

Search Constraints

Start Over You searched for: Repository The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon Remove constraint Repository: The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon Creator Washington, George, 1732-1799 Remove constraint Creator: Washington, George, 1732-1799

Search Results

Ted and Mary Wendell early American collection, 1721/1826

.5 Linear Feet 14 Sheets
Abstract Or Scope

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.

Top 3 results view all 23

Account and receipt, between George Washington and Augustus Woodward, 1798 2 pages Box 2, Folder 1798.01.15

Account with George Mercer, by George Washington, 1773 1 pages Box 1, Folder 1774.01.25

Account with George William Fairfax, by George Washington, 1775 1 pages Box 1, Folder 1775.04.06

George Washington collection, 1654/1799

approx. 25 Linear Feet
Abstract Or Scope

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.

Top 3 results view all 313

Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933

approx. 60 Linear Feet
Abstract Or Scope

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.

Top 3 results view all 9

Copy letters, George Washington to Martha Washington, 1775 1 Sheets Box 88 OVERSIZE, Folder 1775.06.18

Chapin collection of Washington & Custis family documents, 1758/1829

.5 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Abstract Or Scope

This collection consists of papers inherited and collected by Washington family descendants. Many were purchased in 1927 at auction to reunite Washington family correspondence. The collection includes correspondence, financial documents and legal documents that relate primarily to the Custis and Lewis families, but include other items related to Virginia history. Charles and Peter Chapin, the previous owners of this collection, descended from Eleanor Parke Custis and Lawrence Lewis through Esther Maria Lewis and Charles Chapin. This collection was originally assembled by Esther Maria Lewis Chapin who inherited some of the Washington/Custis papers, but was also an avid collector and brought back together family items that were being dispersed nationwide. This collection is an example of that effort; much of which was at auction in 1927 (Anderson Galleries, sale 2201, 28-29 November 1927).

Top 3 results view all 6

Chapin collection of Washington & Custis family documents, 1758/1829 .5 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Letter, George Washington to General John Scott, 1776 Box 1

Esther Maria Lewis Chapin collection of Washington family documents, 1743/1852

1.5 Linear Feet (5 Boxes)
Abstract Or Scope

Scope and Content: This collection was originally assembled by Esther Maria Lewis Chapin, who inherited some of the Washington and Custis papers but was also an avid collector. She reassembled family materials that were being dispersed nationwide, much of which was purchased at Anderson Galleries, sale 22001, 28-29 November 1927. The collection contains correspondence, legal documents, and financial records related primarily to the Custis and Lewis families. Much of the financial and legal materials focus on the construction of the New Tomb at Mount Vernon, as well as settling George Washington's estate.The dates of the material in this collection ranges from 1743-1852, with the bulk of the material dating between 1818-1829.

2 results

Esther Maria Lewis Chapin collection of Washington family documents, 1743/1852 1.5 Linear Feet (5 Boxes)

Peter family papers, 1722/1932

12 Linear Feet 46 boxes
Abstract Or Scope

This collection consists of papers collected by various members of the Peter families. It includes letters from George Washington, letters of condolence to Martha Washington after George Washington's death, estate documents, Major George Peter's military papers, land plats and surveys, photo albums, letterbooks, and notebooks that tell of the life of this prominent family in Virginia and the City of Washington.

Top 3 results view all 7

Bushrod Washington family papers, 1662/1835

1.5 Linear Feet (4 boxes)
Abstract Or Scope

The Bushrod Washington Family Papers consist of documents gathered by the descendants of the first President of the United States, George Washington. The collection comprises an assortment of correspondence and legal documents documenting the lives and property ownership of several branches of the Washington family. The collection is organized into five series: Correspondence, Legal Documents, Social, Miscellaneous, and Indenture Notices (Land Deeds).

1 result

Wayne Rickert collection of founders' autographs, 1770/1831

41 Sheets (2 boxes)
Abstract Or Scope

The collection contains 41 manuscripts dating 1770-1831. Many of the manuscripts date from the era of the American Revolution, and several are directly relevant to the course of the war. Among the documents are single letters by John Adams, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, Lafayette, James Madison, John Marshall, James Monroe, Paul Revere, and George Washington, as well as letters and other documents that include the signatures of signers of the Declaration of Independence.

1 result

Letter, George Washington to Burgess Ball, 1795 1 pages Box 2, Folder 38

Potomac Navigation Company records, 1785/1786

.5 Linear Feet
Abstract Or Scope

This collection is comprised of three different types of documents: various accounts from individuals who have worked for the Potomac Navigation Company; lists of all the men employed by the company which details the amount of work that was done; and receipts and invoices.

Historic newspapers collection, 1757/1957

3.75 Linear Feet 15 boxes
Abstract Or Scope

The collection includes 185 titles spanning 200 years; all related to George Washington, his family, and Mount Vernon.

1 result

Content Warning

ARVAS is an aggregator of archival resources. ARVAS does not have control of the descriptive language used in our members’ finding aids.

Finding aids may contain historical terms and phrases, reflecting the shared attitudes and values of the community from which they were collected, but are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical or mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity.

Many institutions and organizations are in the process of reviewing and revising their descriptive language, with the intent to describe materials in more humanizing, inclusive, and harm-reductive ways. As members revise their descriptive language, their changes will eventually be reflected in their ARVAS finding aids.