As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding next year—a milestone that would not be possible without George Washington’s courage and leadership—we thought you would be interested in learning more about the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association’s founding as our first national historic preservation organization and your critical role in keeping Mount Vernon open and thriving.
Throughout this month, we will share how the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association was formed and introduce a once-in-a-lifetime chance for you to be a part of Mount Vernon history!
It all began on a dreamy Virginia evening in 1853. A steamboat was sailing down the Potomac River. As was customary at the time, the boat’s captain rang its bell as George Washington’s Mount Vernon came into view. Louisa Dalton Bird Cunningham, a passenger on the ship, was eager to view the home of the beloved first president.
She was very saddened by what she saw! The Mansion’s weathered paint was chipping. The sagging piazza roof was propped up with masts of old ships. The lawn was overrun with weeds. Louisa Dalton Bird Cunningham wrote her daughter, Ann Pamela Cunningham, wondering:
“Why was it the women of Washington’s country did not try to keep [Mount Vernon] in repair, if the men could not do it?”
At that time, Washington’s great-great-nephew, John Augustine Washington III, owned the property and was flailing under the pressure of managing the great estate. He knew the estate deserved more than he could provide, so he asked the federal government and the state of Virginia to purchase and save it, but both declined.
Fortunately, Ann Pamela Cunningham remembered her mother’s query… and dug deep.
She convinced John Augustine Washington III to sell Washington’s home and property for $200,000—which would equal about $8.9 million today!
Ann Pamela Cunningham knew she had to save her hero’s home. Yet, she could not do it on her own. She needed a sisterhood to help her raise the funds … and fast.
And, just like that, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association was born!
The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association was (and still is today!) comprised entirely of women, with the Regent—the chairwoman of the board—selected from its membership. Vice Regents are elected as members, with never more than one Mount Vernon Lady representing a given state at the same time.
Because the government turned down George Washington’s own relative for funding, Mrs. Cunningham knew the Ladies would need to turn to the citizens for support.
We are honoring the original Mount Vernon Ladies’ efforts by reviving a portion of the Mount Vernon Record, which was a newsletter the Ladies published to engage and inspire those who were loyal to the cause of saving Mount Vernon.
Citizens who donated $1 or more (about $40 today) were listed in the Mount Vernon Record. And, today, you can be listed in our 2025 digital commemorative edition!
Just as the Mount Vernon Ladies saved the Mansion from disrepair, your gifts preserve Washington’s cherished home for generations. To this day, we still receive NO government funding—it is truly the people who preserve Mount Vernon.
Stay tuned for the next email in this series where we introduce some of the campaign’s earliest supporters… including a group of New York City newsboys!
