Historical Photograph Collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
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
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Reference services
Phone: (703) 780-3600
Restrictions:

This collection is open for research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. The library reserves the right to restrict access to certain items for preservation purposes.

Preferred citation:

[Name and date of item], Historical Photograph Collection, [Folder], Photo Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, The George Washington Presidential Library [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
89 Linear Feet Variety of container sizes based on photograph sizes and material types. Over-sized items are housed in drawers.
Creator:
Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Name and date of item], Historical Photograph Collection, [Folder], Photo Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, The George Washington Presidential Library [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Custodial history:

Items in this collection were either created by or under contract by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association or acquired by gift and purchase from various sources. Materials are added to the collection as they are acquired. For additional information please contact the Manager of Visual Resources.

Arrangement:

The Historical Photograph Collection is an artifical collection organized in functional order. Items are first arranged by subject and then subsequently by media format and size.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard