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The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Historical Photograph Collection, 1850/2010

89 Linear Feet Variety of container sizes based on photograph sizes and material types. Over-sized items are housed in drawers.

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.

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The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Robert Waldsmith Collection of stereographs and cabinet cards, 1856/1981

236 stereographs and 61 cabinet cards Photographic Prints

Views of Mount Vernon spanning more than 100 years. The Robert Waldsmith Collection consists of approximately 300 stereographs and cabinet cards by Alexander Gardner, N. G. Johnson, Luke D. Dillon, and others. Highlights of the collection include: several west front views of the Mansion, including the earlist known one by Frederick Langenheim, circa 1856; an early view of the tomb, circa 1857, and a collection of Washington statues and buildings honoring the first President.

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The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon Black and White Film Collection, 1933/2005

30 Linear Feet Variety of container sizes based on film negative sizes and types. 5 Linear Feet

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.

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The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

George Washington collection, 1654/1799

approx. 25 Linear Feet

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.

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Drawing, West elevation of Mansion with basement floor plan on reverse, 1774 Box 37, Folder 1774.00.00

George Washington carefully drafted this elegant west elevation of his Mount Vernon mansion. It provides insight into Washington's plans for the second major expansion of his home. The elevation has wide doors and nearly symmetrical windows, while the final construction favored transom lights and the powerful exterior asymmetry of windows, preserving the symmetry of the interior rooms. The undated manuscript was probably drafted prior to construction, which began in 1774. This is the only extant exterior drawing of the mansion made by George Washington. On the verso, also in Washington's hand, is a floor plan for the mansion's cellar.

  1. Series 1. From George Washington, 1654/1799

Notes, dimensions of rooms at Mount Vernon, 1796 Box 11, Folder 1796.00.00

The Mount Vernon farm manager, William Pearce, sends President Washington a memorandum listing some of the room dimensions in the Mansion. Specifically, he includes "The hight of the Rooms up staires & garrett; the blue room; room over the small dining room; the room the Marques Delafiat [Marquis de Lafayette] Lodged In; the Yellow room; garret rooms; garden gate; gate front of lawn; kitching [kitchen] garden gate; cellar windows." Docketed "Dimentions [Dimensions] of the Rooms upstairs and the Gates and the cellar windows". A second memorandum, possibly in the hand of Tobias Lear. Notes include - of the two sides; That side which fronts the grotto 31' long, distance between corners and window; length of window; hgt of window; the chimney side, height of door, width of wall between door and chimney, sides of chimneys, height of mantle piece; ends 23 ft. wide, doors & windows; list of dimensions. Third document included shows height of Mr. W.'s room, size of windows, upper windows west side of M[ansion] house, size of New Room chimney, the windows on west side of cellar. Autograph document, 2 page, in hand of William Pearce (?) docketed "The Sizes of the windows & C."

  1. Series 1. From George Washington, 1654/1799

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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.

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