First president’s legacy remains in historic home

Regardless of your political persuasion you must admire anyone who wants to take on the job as President of the United States.  Can you imagine the massive expanse of that job?  Twenty-four/seven, everyday… for years. No wonder presidents tend to come out gray headed, having to contend with issues all over the world, not to even begin to comprehend the constant scrutiny and nonstop bombardment from the media, the malcontent, the sore losers, and the betrayers.  I don’t know how presidents survive their time.  No wonder home means so much to the men who accept the office and why their time “away” is important.
Just 15 miles from Washington, D.C. is Mt. Vernon, home of our first president, George Washington (GW). And oh, who doesn’t love a big white house with a red roof! GW’s father built the original one and a half story house when he was three years old on this 500-acre property overlooking the Potomac River. His half-brother Lawrence owned it from 1741 – 1752.  GW became the owner in 1762 and began several expansions of the plantation house keeping the original house intact and well preserved while increasing its size to over 11,000 square feet.
GW and wife Martha loved strong colors, which were considered a sign of wealth, and fine but reserved furniture style. The first floor grew to include the 23’ by 31’ foot “New Room,” used for entertaining and was larger than most homes in colonial Virginia.  It was grand and very green (GW’s fav) with examples of very fine craftsmanship. It seems that GW loved music, though he admitted he couldn’t carry a tune, he loved to dance.  The first floor also included his music room, where he made sure all the children in his household had music lessons. A Prussian blue parlor, large center hallway that allowed breezes in from the river, a downstairs guest bedchamber, another green, though smaller dining room, his study, and a pantry were all on the main floor.
GW’s study was his private domain with entrance by invitation only.  Here he retreated from the constant flow of guests and his extended family.  He dressed himself in this room every morning and spent time studying and meditating.  The president conducted his personal plantation business in this rather sparse room and frequently conferred here with cabinet members. His home was close to his Washington, D.C. office but yet far enough away.

The kitchen and housekeeper’s quarters were in the full cellar, as were other rooms for the plantation’s slaves.  Wine and potatoes were stored down there. I remember noting very low ceilings and a dirt floor in the kitchen.  But it was always the blue and white china that caught my eye. Records indicate that Mt. Vernon hosted 677 guests in 1798.

On the back side of the first floor and nothing short of spectacular is the piazza, a two-story porch with 180 degree views of the Potomac River. Elegant simplicity, I believe, was the description. It just took my breath.  GW, his family, and guests sat in Windsor chairs lined up in a row for afternoon tea and a view of his 18-acre deer park stocked with tame deer, solely for everyone’s enjoyment.

On the second floor were 6 more bedrooms including the Washingtons’ personal bedroom.  Martha had a bed custom made in Philadelphia to fit GW’s 6’2” frame.

The third floor was mostly for storage.  But, after GW’s death in 1799 due to a throat infection, Martha moved her bedroom to the third floor and away from the hustle of all the people who continued to come well past GW’s death.

But also on the third floor was access to the cupola.  The icing on the cake…the picture that comes to mind when you think of this stately home.  Centered on the roof, GW placed a cupola with views of surrounding Fairfax County Virginia.  History records that he commissioned a copper weathervane of a dove carrying an olive branch in its mouth to top the cupola while he was in Philadelphia presiding over the Constitutional Congress of 1787, two years before becoming president.  The original weathervane, damaged by pollution, is now in a museum and a replica flies instead.

We took the Amtrak from Meridian to Washington, DC in the early ‘90s and went on a bus to see Mt. Vernon.  I bought heirloom seeds from GW’s gardens and to this day I have cockscomb blooming every summer.  My presidential flowers.  History lives.

Happy 285th Birthday GW, on February 22.  Our thanks for all you endured to form a more perfect union and for leaving Mt. Vernon for us to see.  Here’s to you, Sir!

Recipe of the Week

Seafood Casserole
Seafood was plentiful in the tidewater area of Virginia.

1 cup shrimp, cooked and tails removed
1 cup crabmeat, picked and cleaned
3 tablespoons chopped onion
1 cup finely diced celery
½ cup good mayonnaise (Duke’s or homemade recommended)
½ teaspoon dry mustard
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon flaked sea salt or to taste
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Buttered bread crumbs

Roughly chop shrimp and mix with crabmeat.  Add all ingredients except bread crumbs.  Mix lightly, spoon into greased 1 ½ to 2-quart casserole dish. Top with buttered bread crumbs.  Cook in 350 degree oven for about 25 minutes or until thoroughly heated and crumbs are lightly browned. Serves 4 – 6.