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 Date range 1852

Letter, George Washington Parke Custis to Benson Lossing, 1852 Box 73, Folder 1852.12.30

A.L.S. 4 pages. Arlington House to New York. Congratulations on the completion of his work, and predicts a 2nd edition for it soon -- approves his prospectus of a field book of the Second War of Independence -- has just completed his four Revolutionary Battles and is working on his Magnus opus, Surrender of Yorktown painting -- describes it -- has a new studio fitted up in So. wing, where Mr. Stearns made copy of originals of Col. and Mrs. Washington -- Barnum's new pictorial magazine to rival Harper's--wants pictures in collection [at Arlington] preserved by engravings in his lifetime--would like Harper's to commission Lossing to do this--mentions "Washington in 1772 Mrs. W. in 1759, Mr. Custis by ... Pine in 1785 ... the magnificent picture of Col. Parke by Sir Godfrey Kneller etc etc."--will send him paper on "Levies and Drawing Rooms of the First President." Autograph letter signed, integral cover, postmarked "Alexandria Va., Dec. 30," early 3 cent stamp with George Washington's portrait, laminated. Name on original manuscript appears as "George W. P. Custis."

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  4. Manuscripts Box 73, 1852/1854

Letter, George Washington Parke Custis to Lewis William Washington, 1852 Box 72, Folder 1852.08.04

A.L.S. 3 pages. Arlington House to Bellair. Information on portraits of G.W.'s family--"It is certain there is no portrait extinct of Augustine, the Father of the Chief, nor does there exist one of his illustrious mother, such is the result of my researches and enquiries of more than half a century - John was the favorite Brother, a magnificent man and most resembling the Chief of all the brothers. Mrs. Lewis the only Sister, whom I very well remember, was the most majestic and imposing looking female I ever beheld, and was dearly beloved by the Great Man. - There is a good portrait of her. Samuel was tall, but not so stout, while Charles was a very large man without anything remarkable about him,"--cannot help him further in obtaining information on portraits of the family, but suggests asking in Stafford, Westmoreland and Northumberland--the absurdity of the belief that G.W. was born in England. Name on original manuscript appears as "George W. P. Custis." Autograph letter signed, integral cover, docketed, torn, postmarked "Alexandria Va. Aug. 7," with a 3 cent stamp, bearing George Washington's picture, laminated.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  4. Manuscripts Box 72, 1851/1852

Letter, John Augustine Washington III to Governor Joseph Johnson (copy), 1852 Box 1

(Typed transcription included) George Page and a surveyor from Maryland wanted to survey land in the Potomac River adjacent to Mount Vernon with the object of bringing steamboats there. Was notified he would be charged with some offense by Maryland. Makes him aware that the compact between the states means they have no claim on him.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. John Augustine Washington III and Mount Vernon Ladies' Association (MVLA) collection, 1834/1957

Letter, possibly George Corbin Washington, declining nomination as Vice President, 1852 Box 73, Folder 1852.00.00

A.L. 4 pages. Draft, Recipient of nomination declines as he intends to support Gen. Winfield Scott and the Whigs ... nomination made by the American National Convention (Know-Nothing Party)... Date on original catalog card appears [1852]. It has been suggested that the nominee was George Corbin Washington, a member of Congress from MD.

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Historic manuscript collection, 1601/1933
  3. Series 1. Documents and Manuscripts
  4. Manuscripts Box 73, 1852/1854

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