author
Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union
Created to save George Washington’s home when it was falling into disrepair, this pioneering women-led organization helped shape historic preservation in the United States. Its story blends patriotism, persistence, and an unusually early example of national civic action led by women.
1 Audiobook
An Illustrated Handbook of Mount Vernon, the Home of Washington
by Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union
About the author
Founded in 1853 by Ann Pamela Cunningham, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union was organized to purchase, restore, and protect Mount Vernon, George Washington's estate. The group is widely recognized as the first national historic preservation organization in the United States, and its work set an early model for saving places tied to the country's history.
The Association raised funds across the country, completed the purchase of Mount Vernon before the Civil War, and later opened the property to the public. Its leadership drew support from women in many states, showing how women could exert real influence in public life even before they had the right to vote.
Today, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association still owns and maintains the estate, continuing the preservation mission it began in the nineteenth century. For readers interested in American history, women's civic leadership, or the roots of preservation work, the Association's story is both distinctive and deeply influential.