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

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 collection documents the care and management of Mount Vernon through the work of the MVLA. Types of material include correspondence, reports, memos, notes, personal and biographical information, news clippings, meeting agendas, photographs, scrapbooks, and ephemera. Several highlights of the collection include the original minutes of Council meetings, scrapbooks and ledgers created by Vice Regents, and early correspondence with Regents and Vice Regents. While the library's collection "Early Records of the MVLA" documents the founding and early years of the organization, the Papers of the MVLA continues where that collection ended and preserves the ongoing story of these women and the fulfillment of their mission. Creators of the collection are largely the board members themselves, along with staff and employees who worked directly with them. Scope notes have been added before the content list of each series to better describe its specific provenance and content. The bulk of the collection dates from the 1950s to the 1990s, however there is a very wide range represented overall, 1858-2016.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The bulk of this collection is correspondence to Mrs. Laughton concerning Mount Vernon and the work of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Other material includes correspondence from Mrs. Laughton, formal reports and papers of the MVLA, personal correspondence and memoirs, photographs, printed material, and ephemera. The overall dates range from 1850 to 1891 with the bulk of the collection dating from the 1860s-1880s.

The Papers of Mary V. Thompson cover a wide range of topics, mostly concerning her research on George Washington and Mount Vernon, and her work with Mount Vernon's historic collections. Her files give insight into her extensive work on exhibits, special projects, publications, reference assistance, and collections cataloging. Types of material include correspondence, printed email, memos, reports, research notes, articles, news clippings, presentations or speeches, special events brochures and programs, manuscript drafts, and ephemera. The bulk of the collection dates from the 1980s to the 2000s, but there are also several documents dating from the 1940s to the 1970s.

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.