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.

This collection includes correspondence between John Augustine Washington III and his mother and wife, as well as other family members, mostly dealing with family matters and running Mount Vernon.

The Bushrod Washington Family Papers consist of documents gathered by the descendants of the first President of the United States, George Washington. The collection comprises an assortment of correspondence and legal documents documenting the lives and property ownership of several branches of the Washington family. The collection is organized into five series: Correspondence, Legal Documents, Social, Miscellaneous, and Indenture Notices (Land Deeds).

This collection consists of papers inherited and collected by Washington family descendants. Many were purchased in 1927 at auction to reunite Washington family correspondence. The collection includes correspondence, financial documents and legal documents that relate primarily to the Custis and Lewis families, but include other items related to Virginia history. Charles and Peter Chapin, the previous owners of this collection, descended from Eleanor Parke Custis and Lawrence Lewis through Esther Maria Lewis and Charles Chapin. This collection was originally assembled by Esther Maria Lewis Chapin who inherited some of the Washington/Custis papers, but was also an avid collector and brought back together family items that were being dispersed nationwide. This collection is an example of that effort; much of which was at auction in 1927 (Anderson Galleries, sale 2201, 28-29 November 1927).

The nucleus of this collection was created from papers given to the Association by Ann Pamela Cunningham around the time of her retirement as Regent. Several other Vice Regents followed her example and later donated their papers as well. These records were referred to as the "Early Records" since the time they were first established as an archival collection. A large portion of this collection is correspondence concerning the founding of the MVLA and the operation of Mount Vernon as a historic site. Other important resources are the appeals written by Ann Pamela Cunningham and the Vice Regents, governing documents, subscription or donation lists, printed material or publications, and bound volumes such as ledgers or scrapbooks. Individual items were added to the collection as they were acquired. The Early Records includes items dated 1852-1951, however the bulk of the material dates from 1858 to around 1880.

This small collection of subject files collected by Edith Sprouse contain mostly news clippings and ephemera related to George Washington and Mount Vernon. The material was collected from the 1960s to the 1980s, with a few items dating back to the 1930s.

This collection contains correspondence to or from Elizabeth Bordley Gibson, the lifelong friend of Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis. The majority of the collection contains letters to Elizabeth Bordley Gibson from Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis. The correspondence focuses on the Gibson and Lewis families, political events, and the people of Philadelphia. The dates of the material in this collection ranges from 1794-1851, with the bulk of the material dating between 1820-1840. This collection was purchased by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association in 1952, from the estate of Roland S. Morris, of Philadelphia. The Morris family inherited these letters through their familial connection to the Shippen Family, who served as executors to the estate of Elizabeth Bordley Gibson.

At the time of her death, Mrs. Ball was preparing to publish a book on the life and ancestry of Mary Ball Washington. She struggled during her later years, however, and never completed the project. A portion of the research files she used for this project are represented in this collection. Mount Vernon received this material from Alison Burdick, Vice Regent for Delaware, sometime around March 1965 after she sorted through the collection and weeded some of its content. A report written by Mrs. Burdick (now copied and filed with this collection) explains how the papers were organized when she received them, what type of information was contained in them, and why she disposed of "80-85% of the material." The majority of the collection consists of notes, transcriptions, and genealogical tables or charts drafted by Mrs. Ball while researching. Several letters and clippings are also interspersed throughout. Most of the notes and compilation of the collection probably occurred circa 1911-1912 when she visited England, however, the letters and clippings have varied dates.

Scope and Content: This collection was originally assembled by Esther Maria Lewis Chapin, who inherited some of the Washington and Custis papers but was also an avid collector. She reassembled family materials that were being dispersed nationwide, much of which was purchased at Anderson Galleries, sale 22001, 28-29 November 1927. The collection contains correspondence, legal documents, and financial records related primarily to the Custis and Lewis families. Much of the financial and legal materials focus on the construction of the New Tomb at Mount Vernon, as well as settling George Washington's estate.The dates of the material in this collection ranges from 1743-1852, with the bulk of the material dating between 1818-1829.