Tour the North Hall of the National Museum After the First Fifty Years

Washington's uniform worn at the time he resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief at Annapolis, Md., 1783.
Coat, dark blue cloth, with buff facings, having 17 large buttons on the front, 14 on the skirt, 8 on the sleeves, and 2 on Buff cloth vest, having 11 small buttons down the front, and 8 on the pockets, of plain gilt metal.
Breeches of buff cloth, with but 1 button at the flaps, 2 at the knees, and 2 large ones at the waist-band.

Dress-suit-consisting of a buff woolen vest, spangled and embroidered along the edges of the collar and front, and at the pocket flaps, 5 cloth covered ornamented buttons down the front. A pair of woolen "smalls," having 3 large cloth-covered buttons at the waist-band, 5 small ones at the knees, 2 at the flaps, and 1 at each pocket.
The buff silk breeches for over-wear have 3 large buttons on the waist band, 1 at the flap, and 3 small ones at the knees.

The household goods comprise-

Two cotton embroidered bed-curtains, made by Martha Washington.
One heavy white woolen blanket, home-spun, and woven.
One oval top mahogany table with two drop leaves, one drawer and droop loop handles.
The table inlaid at the sides, and down the legs.
One carved walnut chair with cover worn off.
One mahogany washstand with folding cover for the top, one drawer with two brass loop handles, and same kind of handles at the side. In the back is a looking-glass made to slide vertically in a recess, so that, when not in use, it may be put out of sight.
Two veneered and inlaid knife-cases, adapted to hold a dozen knives and forks each, and also the carving knife, fork, and steel.
One large inlaid tea board, imported from France at the close of the Revolutionary War for Washington's use.
One glass candelabrum, with 3 arms, 9 pendants hanging therefrom, and 21 in the chains. One stately dressing case, 4 large drawers at the bottom and 10 small ones at the sides of the mirror. One chest of six drawers for spices.
One satin lambrequin. One calico bed curtain or canopy.
Nine pieces of curtain looping, representing foliage, made on wire, of cotton and plastic material, and gold finished.
One dinner set, presented by the Society of the Cincinnati, which now consists of 32 dinner plates, 8 soup plates, 1 small plate, 6 side dishes, 2 saucedishes and covers and a spare cover, 4 gravy boats, 1 cream pitcher, 4 tureens, 3 fish strainers, 3 salad bowls, 1 fish dish, 1 meat dish, 6 tops for custard cups, 2 cups, 1 saucer, and 1 pickle dish.
One large blue porcelain meat dish.
Three blue glasss finger bowls. One brown earthenware tea-pot.
Part of a set of china presented by General Lafayette to Mrs. Washington, consisting of a sugar bowl and cover, 1 broken saucer, 2 dish tops, 1 plate. The articles have the names of the several States of the Union inscribed in the links of a chain which extends around each piece, and the Washington monogram is also suitably placed on each.
One oval gilt frame cheval glass. One large square iron frame hall lantern. One surveyor's compass, with ball and socket joint and case.
One volume of correspondence in relation to the compass, by David Rittenhouse, of Philadelphia.
Two cast-iron andirons. One large fire-bellows.
One traveling secretary, having a leather-covered wooden receptacle for pens, ink, &c., and a lock portfolio for paper.
One painted panel, representing cherubs, taken from Washington's state coach. One oak dining-room chair.
Camp equipage, consisting of 11 tent-poles, 3 spare guy ropes, 2 slides, 1 sleeping tent with 12 guvs, 1 leather tent pouch, 2 canvas tent pouches, 1 markee cover and wali with 25 guys and slides, 1 markee cover and wall with 15 guys and slides, 1 sleeping, 1 woolen tent.
One mess chest, containing 1 gridiron with folding legs and sliding handle, 2 knives, 5 forks, 4 large glass bottles, 5 small ones, 2 tin boxes, 1 tinderbox and candlestick, 1 broken bottle, 1 woolen sack, 1 lamp-burner.
One small studded iron treasure chest.
Four saucepans, with detachable handles and two covers, 6 round and 3 oval metal plates. One large punch bowl. Thirty-six tent pins.
One oaken-frame lithograph, giving the pedigree of the Washington family. One elaborately ornamented table, having raised edges.
One card, having the Washington arms.
One large and 1 small porcelain vase, ornamented in blue and gold, with landscapes and animal scenes in the front.
Miniature of Col. Wm. Washington, 1810.
The above relics were deposited in the U. S. Patent Office, where they remained on exhibition until May, 1883, when they were transferred to the National Museum

The following is a letter from Washington, inviting some ladies to dine from the plates, etc., above mentioned:

" CAMP AT WEST POINT."

Since our arrival at this happy spot, we have had a ham, and some times a shoulder of bacon, to grace the head of the table, a piece of roast beef adorns the foot, and a small dish of greens or beans, almost imperceptible, decorates the center, when the cook has a mind to cut a figure, and this, I presume, he will attempt to do to-morrow. Of late, he had the surprising luck to discover that apples will make pies, and it's a question that, amidst his efforts, we don't get one of apples, instead of having both of beef. We have two beefsteak pies or dishes of crabs, in addition, on each side of the centre dish, dividing the space and reducing the distance between dish and dish to about six feet, which, without them, would be twelve feet apart. If the ladies can put up with such an entertainment, and will submit to partake of it on plates, once tin, but now iron-not become so by the labor of scouring-I shall be happy to see them," &c.

"GEORGE WASHINGTON"

The Washington Relics (Lewis Collection.)

By an act of Congress, June 20,1878, the Government purchased for $12,000, from G. W. Lewis and family, a number of the house-hold effiects of George Washington, which had never before been placed on exhibition. All these relics were continuously in the possession of the Lewis family since the death of Washington. They were received by Mrs. Lewis, who was his adopted daughter and the wife of Major Lawrence Lewis, his nephew, and were in her possession until her death, in 1852.

LIST OF THE ARTICLES.

One large mirror; 1 dozen parlor chairs, upholstered in figured black and white hair-cloth; 2 arm-chairs; 1 large easy chair, in which Washington sat a few minutes before he died; 1 double brass candlestick, which held the candles by the light of which the farewell address was written; 2 silver-plated candlesticks; 1 large and 2 small plated waiters; 1 field glass and 1 opera glass, used in the Revolutionary War; 1 plated cake basket; 1 large mahogany boss, in which silver plate was kept; a portrait of Washington; the robe of figured white silk lined with scarlet silk, in which he was christened; 1 dozen silver-plated salt-cellars; 1 shaving glass and frame; 8 blue glass mugs; 1 glass goblet; 2 glass tumblers; 3 wine-glasses; 4 champagne glasses; 1 glass finger-bowl; 5 lamp chimneys; 1 glass decanter; 5 vases; 1 toilet bottle; 1 teacup and saucer; 1 box, inlaid with pearl; 3 preserve dishes; portraits of George and Martha Washington, and several articles of table crockery; 1 ledger, kept mostly by the General; 2 mahogany foot-stools; 3 carpet-covered foot-stools; 3 silver-plated lamps; 36 pieces of china-ware; 1 bedstead, presented to Mr. Lawrence Washington by his friend Admiral Vernon, and left by Lawrence to his brother, the General; several surveys made by Washington; 1 marble-top table, 4 feet by 3 feet; 1 guitar, presented by Washington to Miss Nellie Custis
Miniature portraits of General and Mrs. Washington, on wood, painted by Trumbull in their original frames.
An engraving of the Countess of Huntington, presented by her to Washington. Large oil painting representing falls, supposed to be Genessee Falls. From Mount Vernon.
Oil painting, moonlight scene on a rocky coast. From Mount Vernon.
Gauntlet of green velvet for left hand, worn by Mrs. Washington on State occasions.
Spy-glass, kept behind the front door in the hall at Mount Vernon. Washington's favorite amusement was to look out on the river with it.
Work bag or reticule made by Mrs. Washington of material worn by the General and herself
The half-length portrait of Washington, of life size, perfectly clear and well preserved.* It is a matter of tradition in the family that this portrait was always considered the best likeness of Washington ever painted. The miniature portraits were also considered excellent likenesses.

*Now in Interior Department

Return to start of the North Hall of the National Museum in 1886