Washington, Ella Bassett, 1834-1898

The Historical Photograph Collection is largely comprised of materials created by or for the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Photographers primarily include staff members and contract photographers. The collection spans the 1930s to the 2000s and includes analog material made up of a variety of sizes of film negatives providing a visual history of the Mansion, outbuildings, tombs, grounds, events, visitors, collection objects, personnel, restoration, and changes throughout the estate.

The Historical Photograph Collection is largely comprised of materials created by or for the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Photographers primarily include staff members and contract photographers. The collection spans the 1930s to the 2000s and includes analog material made up of a variety of sizes of film negatives providing a visual history of the Mansion, outbuildings, tombs, grounds, events, visitors, collection objects, personnel, restoration, and changes throughout the estate.

A.L.S. Addressed to "My Dear Friend." Re Council. Mrs. Herbert in very poor health. Annual Council largest ever held. ER-14, p. 119

A.L.S. Nordington, near Charlestown. Re pedigreed calf. Boat contract and prospective visit to Washington. Plans for Mount Vernon holiday entertainment. ER-14, p. 121

A.L.S. Nordington. Sends note to Major Blake re boat. Her brother advises buying, not building, a boat. ER-14, p. 121

A.L.S. and typescript partial transcription. Nordington. Is to send table to Mount Vernon for the Council room. Will be in Washington early in New Year. Expects to see him. Is to bring with her the handle of Washington's coffin. ER-14, p. 125

A.L.S. Brooklyn, New York. Re transportation for a pedigreed calf that has been given her for Mount Vernon. Asks about boat contract, the Regent's young husband, etc. ER-14, p. 121

A.L.S. Nordington. Re purchase of a horse. Furniture moved in Council room. Bridgeport ladies will send furniture. Miss Harper places antique marble table in Banquet Hall, old side-board placed in East Parlor, two pictures were rehung. Council was too brief and hurried. ER-17, p. 123

A.L.S. Nordington. Asks about new boat. Saw Mrs. Hudson in New York. Asks for measurements of room above Council Room, will complete furnishing it for West Virginia. Sympathizes with Regent, so soon a widow again. Will give Miss Johnson facts for Mount Vernon. ER-14, p. 123

Steamer Mary Washington. Firm in Brooklyn to contribute carpet and bed hangings for West Virginia Room. Wants measurements of the room's windows so curtains can be made. ER-14, p. 123

A.L.S. Charlestown. Wrote Captain Frank re boat service as she plans to take about six relatives of Washington to spend the night at Mount Vernon. Plans other excursions to raise funds. ER-14, p. 118

A.L.S. Washington, D.C. Asks for his opinion as member of MVLA's Advisory Committee of validity of MVLA's two charters. Have been working under both for 28 years. Present Regent disagrees with first Regent's opinion on subject, so asks for a written opinion. ER-17, p. 263

Sorry she did not see her in Washington recently. Wants Laughton to come to the upcoming Ball in a court costume from the time of Queen Ann.

Typescript copy. Washington, D.C. Concerns a letter of George Washington's to Fielding Lewis. The letter is to be sold and Mr. Childs may see it at Mr. Leavitt's office. R-217, TYP-899

A.L.S. Beall-Air. Governor Walker of Virginia wishes to visit Mount Vernon. Suggests Regent send him an official invitation inviting the Governor of West Virginia at same time. Recently had a long sad letter from Miss Cunningham. ER-14, p. 121

A.L.S. Clarendon Hotel. Received official call to Grand Council, June 2. Re Council action on death of former Regent, Ann Pamela Cunningham, who chose Mrs. Berghmans for her successor. Governor Kemper and General Meens wish to inspect farm, urges careful plans be arranged for it. ER-14, p. 123

Extract of letter regarding late report of minutes due to her son's illness. Also, brief extract reporting the marriage of Mrs. Berghmans to Mr. Laughton. ER-7, p. 111

A.L.S. Charlestown, West Virginia. Ladies of MVLA invited to Yorktown Festival but at their own expense. She considers it, therefore, "an empty compliment." Mr. Corcoran gave Mrs. Garfield $5000 and she feels he could have paid for the Ladies' trip to Yorktown or a gift to the MVLA endowment fund. Despite this seeming affront to the Association, she hopes the Ladies will have a reception at Mount Vernon for the French delegation coming over for the Festival.

A.L.S. Charlestown. Mrs. Sweat also feels foreign delegates to Yorktown Festival right to be received at Mount Vernon. Could have arranged for a Navy steamer to take guests to Mount Vernon, but felt this was not her duty and others might have considered her meddlesome. Praise for new Vice Regent from Alabama, also W.W. Corcoran for his assistance to MVLA. Is thinking of writing a brief history of Mount Vernon. Wants to talk up the idea at next Council.

Autograph letter signed. Writing in regards to the disposition of some Washington relics.

A.L.S. Nordington. Sent complete copy of minutes to Regent, will make copy for Mrs. Halsted. Federal aid to be sought. Captain Frank kept boat running "constantly" for Mount Vernon visitors. ER-14, p. 125

A.L.S. Nordington. Sends copy of report of last Council. Does "literary work" in New York in winter to bolster her finances. No word of board meeting on resolution, or official report to be published. No legislature hearing for Mount Vernon when Presidential election is so important. Press reports large profits at Mount Vernon. Visitors by thousands. ER-14, p. 125

A.L.S. Washington, D.C. Regent married Mr. Laughton, December 30, 1876 in Washington. Gives description of Mr. Laughton. Much publicity given to the marriage. Sent Regent Minutes three months ago, but has had no acknowledgement of it. Thinks it unwise to ask congressional aid now. ER-14, p. 127

A.L.S. Brooklyn. Asks if Regent mentions report for last year. Sent Minutes last September and as yet not acknowledged. Saw Judge Thomas who wants Board changed. ER-14, p. 127

A.L.S. Brooklyn. Table belonging to her husband's grandfather (nephew of George Washington) given to Mount Vernon. Cover for table promised. Hopes Judge Thomas will not resign. Good supporter of Mount Vernon. Asks for her cousin Mr. Lewis' address. Owner of relics. ER-7, p. 115

A.L.S. July 13. Indignant that Mrs. Sweat suppressed resolutions in printed report for Mrs. Halsted at death of her husband. Ladies now see mistake of written instead of printed Minutes, also proxy vote a blunder. Hollingsworth retained, but it was a bitter fight. This is a confidential letter. Advises talking only to Mrs. Ball. ER-14, p. 119. Undated 126.

A.L.S. Nordington. Recounts some personal tragedies and discusses Mr. Lewis's proposal for the relics. Typescript extract also included with same date, but does not appear to be from the same letter. Discusses the room she is going to furnish in the Mansion and the Washington bedstead. ER-14, p. 129

A.L.S. Nordington. While in New York she saw some unimportant Press comments on Mount Vernon. Refers to brief Council Wednesday through Friday. Thinks more time and deliberation should be given to Council at Mount Vernon. Engraving for Mount Vernon not well packed. Noticed Ohio room was completed. ER-14, p. 129

Copy. Because she is Vice Regent nearest Mr. Lewis, writes re relics he offered and reasons for refusing to cooperate in his plan. Asks if Mrs. Washington has taken any action in the matter. ER-20, p. 83