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

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
Primary Collecting Areas:
George and Martha Washington, Mount Vernon, Founding Era and Early Republic, Historic preservation, Decorative arts, Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
Description:

The Fred W. Smith National Library includes general collections, special collections and archives as a resource for scholars, students, and those interested in George Washington, colonial America and the Revolutionary and founding eras.

The library's general collections include secondary source materials on the Washington and Custis families, and the colonial and founding eras.

The Special Collections materials highlight the lives of George and Martha Washington as well as their descendants through correspondence, financial materials, and original books from George and Martha Washington's library.

The archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association holds the historic institutional records of the organization dating back to its founding in 1853.

POC: Reference services
Phone: (703) 780-3600
Start Over Repository The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon Creator Cunningham, Ann Pamela, 1816-1875

S.W. Tiffey to Ann Pamela Cunningham, 1869 Box 68

A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Encloses letter from E.A. McIntire of the office of the Secretary of War regarding a pary of Masons who would like to visit Mount Vernon. Mrs. Tiffey refers them to Mr. Sykes. Wallpaper for one room arrived--elegant paper, deep buff with gilt and green figures, sent by Christie and Constance. Mrs. Halsted says paper for New Jersey room will be sent and Turkey Red for curtains. Ceiling paper received in white, border matches side walls. Also received Mrs. Halsted's message to General Michler. Mahogany cases from President's House to be sent here. Plasterers have "pointed" Banquet Hall. ER-16, p. 161

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Early Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, 1853/1951, bulk 1853/1875
  3. Series 6. Correspondence, 1852/1951
  4. Correspondence, 1869

S.W. Tiffey to Ann Pamela Cunningham, 1869 Box 68

A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Gardener Craig and wife "settled"now. Crops look well, grass to be cut, West Ford helps Nathan cleaning garret; plasterer did not return to finish work. Repeats a visitor's comment that Mount Vernon has not been kept in better repair. Frank leaves, Sarah doing well; Daddy Jim sick several days. Mentions General Sherman's visit. ER-16, p. 163

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Early Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, 1853/1951, bulk 1853/1875
  3. Series 6. Correspondence, 1852/1951
  4. Correspondence, 1869

S.W. Tiffey to Ann Pamela Cunningham, 1869 Box 68

A.L.S. Gardener Craig returns from sale, brings word from Mr. Sykes, bid on adjoining lots was $65 per acre. Mr. Taylor says no bid accepted under $200 per acre, 2 lots not sold. Gibbs farm sold for $45 including buildings. Land at south of Mount Vernon bought by Mr. Mowlin. Fishery gave highest bid. Private party offers $200 for 2 lots. Sold strawberries, peas ripe. Plasterers, bricklayers and carpenters at Mount Vernon next week. ER-16, p. 164

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Early Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, 1853/1951, bulk 1853/1875
  3. Series 6. Correspondence, 1852/1951
  4. Correspondence, 1869

S.W. Tiffey to Ann Pamela Cunningham, 1869 Box 68

A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Attends faithfully to Mrs. Halsted's letters. Wallpaper for hall and stairway, another pattern for lower hall and white ceiling received from Janeway, New York. Mrs. Halsted has high post bedstead for Washington's room, plaster in closet not finished. "The Buckey" mower is in operation and planting finished; Frank has left, vistas opened. Mules work the mower (destroying snakes, frogs and chicken). Mr. Sykes reports $55 per acre was the highest bid on land, fishing sold for $65. Strawberry, cherries, and dairy sales reported. Cost and methods of keeping ice at Mount Vernon given. Boat ticket sales, May $532. ER-16, p. 170

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Early Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, 1853/1951, bulk 1853/1875
  3. Series 6. Correspondence, 1852/1951
  4. Correspondence, 1869

S.W. Tiffey to Ann Pamela Cunningham, 1869 Box 68

A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Woodwork for greenhouse came from Washington. Mr. Follansbee is here with new set of carpenters and plasterers. Mrs. Halsted sent wallpaper, oilcloth for Banquet Hall as promised, wire window screens, mirrors for parlor, a Mayflower chair in which Washington sat, suit of clothes, Scotch crash for Dining Room. Craig sold calf for $10. Wants to sell the cow also. Hired Tom Mitchell at $1 per day. Lawn hay cured. Mrs. Tiffey's daughter helps with bouquets. Lucy is feeble. Suggestions for Lafayette Room paper and ceiling. Dark East Parlor paper soiled. Men with greenhouse pipe here. ER-16, p. 175

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Early Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, 1853/1951, bulk 1853/1875
  3. Series 6. Correspondence, 1852/1951
  4. Correspondence, 1869

S.W. Tiffey to Ann Pamela Cunningham, 1869 Box 68

A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Building greenhouse. Mr. Follansbee suggests sashes on each side window. Six mahogany cases from Patent Office, placed in Banquet Hall. Reports visitors interest in Mount Vernon. Mr. Curriden of Pennsylvania asked if $30,000 would put estate in order, said Association ought to have endowment, had keen interest in 33 acres adjoining the estate which the Regent wishes to add to Mount Vernon. Orphans visited. Sales of photographs good, flowers less, magnolias sold for 50 cents. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps of Baltimore called. ER-16, p. 177

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Early Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, 1853/1951, bulk 1853/1875
  3. Series 6. Correspondence, 1852/1951
  4. Correspondence, 1869

S.W. Tiffey to Ann Pamela Cunningham, 1869 Box 68

A.L. Incomplete letter, perhaps a continuation of another letter. Mentions the harpsichord being moved to the parlor. Discusses General Sherman's visit and comments overheard. Mr. Craig has "opened the front vista" to everyone's excitement. W-16

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Early Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, 1853/1951, bulk 1853/1875
  3. Series 6. Correspondence, 1852/1951
  4. Correspondence, 1869

S.W. Tiffey to Ann Pamela Cunningham, 1869 Box 68

A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Letter in two pieces. Wants Hall wallpapered, enough also for cupola entrance. Sends Bell $30 for photographs. Ice water necessary. Reports briefly on sales, visitors, servants. Two boats run 3 times per week. Needs to clean from cupola to cellar after plasterers. Nathan is patient, Craig does well. ER-16, p. 178

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Early Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, 1853/1951, bulk 1853/1875
  3. Series 6. Correspondence, 1852/1951
  4. Correspondence, 1869

S.W. Tiffey to Ann Pamela Cunningham, 1869 Box 68

A.L.S. Mount Vernon. Made currant jelly. Two hundred twenty-six boat tickets sold. Sales for mills and flowers fair. Reports inquiries of Mount Vernon visitors. Freemen have been to vote. Tim, Nathan, and Sarah ailing. ER-16, p. 179

  1. The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
  2. Early Records of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, 1853/1951, bulk 1853/1875
  3. Series 6. Correspondence, 1852/1951
  4. Correspondence, 1869

Content Warning

ARVAS is an aggregator of archival resources. ARVAS does not have control of the descriptive language used in our members’ finding aids.

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.

Many institutions and organizations are in the process of reviewing and revising their descriptive language, with the intent to describe materials in more humanizing, inclusive, and harm-reductive ways. As members revise their descriptive language, their changes will eventually be reflected in their ARVAS finding aids.