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

As an organization devoted to historic preservation and the legacy of George Washington, the MVLA participates in many major national anniversaries and commemorations, especially those celebrating the founding of the United States, the American Revolution, or Washington himself. This artificial collection combines the papers and files documenting the Association's involvement in several of these anniversaries. The first commemoration represented is the 250th anniversary of Washington's birth in 1982 and it goes through the Bicentennial of his death in 1999, although additions can be made at a later date that cover subsequent events. Types of records include correspondence, research files, print or promotional material, reports, and event ephemera. An addendum of photographs, an object, oversize and media formats is described at the end of the contents list. The MVLA's contributions to anniversaries and commemorations outside this collection's date range, such as the bicentennial of Washington's birth in 1932, can be found in other archival collections.

This collection includes audio and video resources related to Mount Vernon, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, and George Washington. Many audio and video recordings in the collection were either produced by, or made in cooperation with, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. However, there are also AV productions made by other institutions, corporations, and media companies. Content includes footage and recordings of events, interviews, lectures, VIP visitors, and views of the estate. Several documentaries, news broadcasts, and syndicated radio or television programs are also included as they pertain to the history of Mount Vernon. Highlights of the collection include: Pictorial Reports of the estate during the years 1955-1970 which feature footage of several famous visitors such as President Eisenhower, Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon, and Fidel Castro; a feature film with B-Roll footage by travelogue filmmaker Andre de la Varre; video and audio recordings of Vice Regents and Mount Vernon staff. Most film reels have been digitized and are available by links within individual catalog records or via written/email request.

This collection holds the historic financial records of the MVLA including accounting ledgers, tax documents, insurance papers, receipts, invoices, payroll lists, annual and quarterly budgets, financial statements and reports, policies, contracts, correspondence, and other miscellaneous items. Records in this collection contain information on the Association's financial accounting, revenue, expenditures, employees and employee benefits, investments, taxes, and other financial concerns. There is a very limited amount pertaining to fundraising efforts and/or private donations, which can be found in the files of Mount Vernon's development department (currently unprocessed). Bulk date 1870s-2000s.

Ephemera collected by Geo. Gregory Smart related to the memory and popular image of George Washington. The collection includes postcards, calendars, cigar boxes covers, stamps and first day covers, programs for anniversary events, books and pamphlets, hat stands, billheads, stationary, cartes-de-visite, playing cards, and puzzles. Some items are catchy such as a hat stand touting the motto "friends you can hang your hat on," while others are designed to be more educational such as grade-school primers or the story of the presidents from the makers of Planters peanuts.

A small collection of material from research done by Edward Benington for his article "The Many Roads to Mount Vernon" from the Virginia Cavalcade magazine in 1960-1961. The article concerns the history of the construction of the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the retirement of the railway or trolley to Mount Vernon. The collection includes correspondence, print material, news clippings, and photographs.

This is a collection of large ledgers or books with the signatures and autographs of Mount Vernon visitors and special guests. The books date from 1850 to the present day and some registers overlap in date.

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.

This small collection contains records concerning land gifts, purchases, and easements obtained by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Types of records include deeds, memorandums, signed agreements, land plats, maps, drawings, and correspondence. The material dates from 1858 to 2006, however there is some information on Washington family property that dates from the 1830s (the originals of these items were removed and replaced with photocopies in 2001).

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.