Declaration of rights, was a delegate to the federal convention in philadelphia, but refused to sign the constitution because it did not include a bill of rights. Gunston hall. I am the education manager here. I am very excited to give you a tour today. We are standing in front of the house right now. And 1759ilt in 1755 and was the home of george mason and his first wife. If you look at the house, the carving and decoration outside, tells us that george mason belonged to the strata of society he thought he did. Man. S a wealthy the house tells us that in the details. The driveway you come up was lined, in his lifetime, with cherry trees. Ever addon to the house. The house you see now is what mason built in 1769. Its kind of interesting because most other Founding Fathers did add third floors or wings, like mount vernon and monticello. Saw people like jefferson and others of the founding generation going into deep debt doing things like this. Today we would think of it as keeping up wi
House right now. It was built in 1755 and 1759 and was the home of george mason and his first wife. If you look at the house, the carving and decoration outside, the house tells us that george mason belonged to the strata of society he thought he did. He was a wealthy man. The house tells us that in the details. The driveway you come up was lined, in his lifetime, with cherry trees. He didnt ever addon to the house. The house you see now is what mason built in 1769. Its kind of interesting because most other Founding Fathers did add third floors or wings, like mount vernon and monticello. George mason saw people like jefferson and others of the founding generation going into deep debt doing things like this. Today we would think of it as keeping up with the joneses or keeping up with the kardashians. Mason did not want to be in that position himself. So, we are going to have a chance to explore all of the spaces in the house. We will learn who george mason was and why we remember georg
In the book, we acknowledge mary thompson, who is one of the historians here on staff for her invaluable insight and great scholarship. Set here, whether it is the knowledgeable docents or the master craftsman, or the historians in the abundant johnves have turned kennedys description of washington, d. C. On its head. Mount vernon is a place that has northern efficiency and southern charm. [laughter] that in itself exemplifies the character of George Washington which was orderly discipline and benevolent. I think you would be most pleased with what goes on here. Now we did actually do a little work in preparation for our caper here. This evening, we would like you the stress with us that can befall the stress of relationships. Our title is from Samuel Johnsons observation that a gentleman should keep his friendships and constant repair. It seems like good advice. But unfortunately the circumstances, for Different Reasons and different people, it was washington, the friendships between
David jeanne and i are delighted to be at mount vernon. It is a treat to come back to the home of George Washington which is a monument to him. They have preserved his home and the ground on which he walked. Its always a pleasure to be in the company of good people who are dedicated and diligent and the good people here at mount vernon combine that admiral admirable bull trait with a gracious hospitality that makes everyone who comes here feel warm and welcome. Stephen macleod has smoothed the logistical edges of our journey here. In the book, we acknowledge mary thompson, who is one of the historians here on staff for her invaluable insight and great scholarship. The staff here, whether it is the knowledgeable docents or the master craftsman or the , historians in the abundant archives have turned John Kennedys description of washington, d. C. , on its head. Mount vernon is a place that has northern efficiency and southern charm. [laughter] david that in itself exemplifies the charact