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.