A few weeks ago, the Glenn Fellows were treated to a trip of
Mount Vernon, the home of our first president and his wife for more than 40
years. During my trips to DC, I have always wanted to visit Mount Vernon, but
have not had the chance. I knew that the estate was the home of George
Washington but I had no idea how prized a possession his estate was and what it
means to many people. Similar to the
White House, it really is a house for the American people…. Just not as hard to
get into.
From his 1,000 volume library to the historical artifacts
and restored grounds, George Washington was truly a man who left behind an
important contribution in the context of American history in the form of his
home. I was most surprised to learn that in the period after his death, Mount
Vernon fell into a state of disrepair, and its fate was uncertain until the
Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, a group of women who banded together to
restore and locate his possessions, determined to rescue it. The estate
reopened to the public in 1860, nearly a century after his death, and these
women dedicated their lives to restoring Mount Vernon to its former appearance.
This Association has worked diligently to uphold the Washingtons' memory and in
the past 150 years, pursued belongings and artifacts that can help piece
together the puzzle of the Washingtons and their daily lives. It was remarkable to see over 200 people
visiting the grounds on a random Friday afternoon and nearly all ages groups
represented. I am thankful that I got to
see the house, the gardens, the grounds, the goats, and everything in-between
during our trip there. Mt. Vernon is yet
another remarkable experience that I can happily look back on from my time living
in Washington as a Glenn Fellow.
---- Alex Polivka
No comments:
Post a Comment