This Women’s History Month, we are reminded that women’s history and the start of the early historic preservation movement in the United States are intrinsically linked. The story of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and the start of the early historic preservation movement, while not happening in Waterford, has deeply impacted the Waterford that we see today.
Mount Vernon, which is only a little over fifty miles from Waterford, was the plantation home of first president George Washington and Martha Washington. After Martha Washington’s death, the house and four thousand acres were willed to the Washington’s nephew Bushrod Washington- who passed away in 1829. He left the property now consisting of 1,200 acres to John Augustine Washington II, whose widow in 1840 left the property to John Augustine Washington III. John Augustine Washington III tried to make money on the property in multiple different fashions- growing crops such as wheat, selling lumber, renting land, and being involved in selling and renting out enslaved people. He, however, was not successful in turning a profit for multiple different reasons. He attempted to sell the property to both the Virginia and federal governments, but was unsuccessful. Washington was also consistently inundated with visitors and tourists who wanted to come learn more about George Washington and see his house.
One of those passerby’s in 1853 was Louisa Bird Cunningham, who wrote in a letter to her daughter Ann Pamela Cunningham, “if the men of the United States would not save the home of its greatest citizen, perhaps it should be the responsibility of the women.” (Cunningham, Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, Mount Vernon) Taking this sentiment and running with it, Ann Pamela Cunningham founded the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union, and set out to raise $200,000 (or a little over $5.7 million in today’s money) for the purchase of Mount Vernon.
Cunningham wrote under the pen name “A Southern Matron” (Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, Mount Vernon) to first convince fellow women in the Southern United States then in all states to save Mount Vernon. Along with her, the membership of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association set off in their circles as well to raise money all over the United States for the purchase of the property. The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association was and still is comprised entirely of women. The chairman, or Regent, was selected from the membership as well were Vice Regents. Boards of Ladies’ Managers were appointed by the Vice Regents to help raise money in different states. These Ladies’ Managers and clubs would purposely target organizations that Washington had been a part of or associated with such as the Freemasons and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and even military groups, fire companies, and surveyors. Ladies’ Manager groups would also host or attend dramatic readings and plays, concerts, fairs, and festivals to raise funds.
The Mount Vernon Ladies Association was able to purchase the mansion and approximately 500 acres to make up the Mount Vernon we know today, and took full possession of the property in 1860. The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association continues on today and remains integral in the preservation of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. This group, and the advocacy and fundraising efforts to purchase Mount Vernon is often attributed to the beginning of the historic preservation movement in the United States.
We could not talk about the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association without paying homage to Sheila B. Coates- Waterford descendant and active contributor to the John Wesley Community Church and Waterford’s preservation and interpretation. In 1983, Sheila Coates established the annual Slave Memorial Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Mount Vernon that has since been internationally recognized and continues to this day. Two years later, she founded Black Women United for Action to advance education, economic opportunities, historic preservation, and public policy leadership nationwide. In 2023, she was integral in establishing the Black Women United for Action Fellowship at the George Washington Presidential Library to support research into African American history and leadership with the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. To recognize her achievements and accomplishments, Sheila Coates was awarded the Ann Pamela Cunningham Medal this year on George Washington’s birthday- the highest award given out by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. She is only the fifth person to receive this award.
The work of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association is often contributed to the start of the early preservation movement in the United States. This movement would grow and shift throughout the years before coming here to Waterford. This women’s history month, we also want to highlight Sheila Coates and thank her for her contributions to the Waterford National Historic Landmark, Mount Vernon, and beyond!
Sources:
Early History of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, Mount Vernon: https://edit.mountvernon.org/preservation/mount-vernon-ladies-association/early-history
The Ann Pamela Cunningham Medal. Mount Vernon. https://www.mountvernon.org/preservation/mount-vernon-ladies-association/ann-pamela-cunningham-medal
The Birth of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, Mount Vernon: https://edit.mountvernon.org/preservation/mount-vernon-ladies-association/early-history/birth-of-the-mount-vernon-ladies-association
The Kindness of Strangers, Mount Vernon. https://edit.mountvernon.org/preservation/mount-vernon-ladies-association/early-history/the-kindness-of-strangers