Stuart, Gilbert, 1755-1828

Scope and Contents From the Collection:

Views of Mount Vernon spanning more than 100 years. The Robert Waldsmith Collection consists of approximately 315 stereographs and cabinet cards by Alexander Gardner, N. G. Johnson, Luke D. Dillon, and others. Highlights of the collection include: several west front views of the Mansion, including the earlist known one by Frederick Langenheim, circa 1856; an early view of the tomb, circa 1857, and a collection of Washington statues and buildings honoring the first President.

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The Historical Photograph Collection is largely comprised of materials created by or for the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Some of the earliest photographs of the estate were created and sold to visitors by the Association as a means of income. Those efforts helped to establish an important collection of 19th century views. The collection spans the 1850s to 2000s and includes over 140 linear feet of analog material providing a visual history of the Mansion, outbuildings, tombs, grounds,...

Scope and Contents

Autograph letter signed. Tobias Lear, Mount Vernon, writing on behalf of Martha Washington, requests that Gilbert Stuart's original portrait of Washington be given to Martha, in exchange for fair compensation. Lear writes that Martha has expressed no desire for her own portrait, but Lear thinks it would be nice to display alongside the portrait of Washington.