Us from mt. Vernons museum and Education Center to talk about George Washington and the presidency. Ny the ground of George Washingtons historic mt. Vernon, from the education and museum center, by doug bradburn, the president and ceo of George Washingtons mt. Vernon on this president s day. First, sir, explain the shoulder there, the swearing in of George Washington. You see the first president being sworn in at federal hall in new york city. This would have been in 1789 in april. How well were the duties and the powers of the office that he was about to step into . How well were they defined at that moment when he was sworn in . They werent defined at all. The presidency was a brand new institution. There had never been anything like it, certainly in america and really in the world. It was a new experiment of an elected magistrate who would, at one point, be the head of state, like a king. But at the same time also be sort of the chief executioner of the laws, the chief executive in
This president s day. First sir explain the significance of the moment that is portrayed over your shoulder there. The swearing in of George Washington. Good morning, welcome to might vernon. Behind you see George Washington. The first president being sworn in at federal hall, in new york city. It was 70 89, in april. How well where the duties and power of the office, that he was about to step into, how well were they defined in the moment when he was about to step in. They werent defined at all. The presidency was a brandnew institution. There had been nothing like it certainly in america, are really in the world, it was a new experiment of elected magistrate who at one point would be the head of state, like a king, but at the same time also sort of be the chief executioner of the laws, the chief executive in this case. The chief policy maker. It wasnt exactly clear where the powers of the legislature and the powers of the president would be defined. So washington really created that
Bradburn, traces the president s military career from french and indian war, through the American Revolution. Here we are again. Welcome back to mt. Vernon. My name is doug bradburn. Im the president and ceo of George Washingtons mt. Vernon. And its been my delight to have these opportunities to talk about the story of George Washington. Last wednesday we were in our museum, this is what we call our Education Center here at mt. Vernon. It focuses on the life of George Washington. Really, a grand sense of his biography and why he matters and how he impacted the age that he lived in and why his legacy Still Matters to us today. Last time we were looking at his youth, a youth that youll remember we said is oftentimes enwrapped in romance. Its wrapped in myth. Its hard to get at because its the period where its least documented. But it really is an interesting period to understand George Washington in the context of the 18th century. Of course, hes most known to americans and perhaps to fo
Really a grans sed sense of his biology. Last time we were looking at his youth. A youth that we say is often times wrapped in romance, in myth, it is hard to get at. It is a period where it is least documented and it is an interesting period. But of course he is most known to americans and perhaps to folks around the world as a great military commander. The general that led the americans through the american war for indense and eight long years of war. And his identity as a warrior is a crucial one. Thinking about who is George Washington, how did he think of himself, as, and why does it matter today. He is still studied regularly in the great military disciplines well as the war college. Washington is a fundamental figure in the establishment of american tradition of leadership in arms. He was the first officer of the American Army. The United States army dates its on birth to his service. And the Continental Congress of him taking over the army that we will talk about a little bit.
Found the washington, everything Martha Washington did likewise. It was a business relationship, but not without affection. I think they had deep respect and affection for each other. She was as close to her hometown and she would get. She owned most of this whole block going back a couple of acres, which means she owned a huge chunk of what williamsburg was. There was a lot of tragedy in Martha Washingtons life. She lost her first husband. She was raised a rich woman, what that means an 18th century is now what it means today. When she marriage George Washington, she brings with her to mount for then 12 house slaves and that is really almost an unimaginable luxury. It would take her ten days to travel here to valley forge from mount vernon in her carriage with her slaves and this was a difficult journey. Marthas experience had prepared her to become the first first lady. Born in virginia in 1731, Martha Washington was 57 years old and 1789 when she and George Washington, once again, l