Martha Washington

     A material culture was being established in the eighteenth century through the selection of objects by Martha Washington. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, Ivan Gaskell, Sara J. Schechner, and Sarah Anne Carter wrote Tangible Things: Making History through Objects. They recognized the challenge of establishing a past that had not been written. They discovered that when a desired focus is placed on an object, it can generate excitement and great curiosity.[1] A focus will be placed on the objects owned by George and Martha Washington. The intent is to establish the influence of Martha Washington on the field of interior design in furniture, garden design, and architecture.

     Historians Robert F. Dalzell and Lee B. Dalzell wrote that Washington’s selection and placement of furniture and architectural design played an important role in the development of America’s Independence.[2] Mount Vernon, the home of George and Martha Washington, was an ongoing project which benefited from the consumer revolution that originated in England. The high design style in England was made available to a growing interest using a builder’s guide and printed pattern books.[3]

     Historian Catherine Allgor noted that gender roles during the early American Republic placed women in charge of “material display” and political networking.[4] Martha proved herself capable in this role by her ability to conduct herself wisely. She also was fortunate to be able to read, write, and conduct arithmetic.[5]

     Historian Amy Hudson Henderson wrote that the Washingtons weighed their decision to purchase an array of French objects as they knew a nascent republic was being formed.[6] In the Eighteenth century, a style of design was beginning to be established in Colonial America. Not only was furniture being acquired, but a culture that differed from Great Britain.[7] Henderson noted there was a cross-pollination of culture and exchange that transpired between Paris and Britain.[8] This was seen in the production of silk fabrics, furniture designs, and garden designs.[9] Henderson noted that at the close of the Revolution, there was a need to rebuild homes in America after seven years of war. This need fostered an interest in home design.[10] Friendships with the Washingtons were developed over time with the French military. The exposure to French design opened the Washingtons to elegant Parisian manufacturers.[11] Martha Washington received a gift of elegant china from Adam-Philip, a French officer, in appreciation of a dinner he attended at Mount Vernon.[12] Purchases were made by George and Martha. A list of desired items from France was filled through communication between Martha Washington and Lafayette’s wife Adrienne.[13]

     Historian Joseph Manca wrote that the aesthetic design of Mount Vernon was established by George and Martha Washington through their acquisition of objects and gifts of fine decorative art. George had planned the future expansion and home and garden design of Mount Vernon.[14] The Washingtons chose to have their gardens void of sculptures but did contain a sundial.[15] The gardens show the influence of English landscape designer Lancelot Brown, and the trademark of his soft designs.[16] The use of willow trees, locust groves, and honeysuckle tendrils conveyed a look of harmony and one of natural formation.[17] Washington did not choose the conventional design of fences.[18] He desired to carry on Brown’s style in the use of trees and shrubs to outline his gardens in place of timber.[19]

     Martha Washington was able to create the atmosphere of home by opening her home to many. This included family and many days of laughter shared with her grandchildren.[20] Martha always demonstrated Virginia hospitality to many guests and strangers.[21] Martha orchestrated the times meals were served. She made sure there was plenty of food and drink for all. She had a simple meal at 3:00 pm and a formal supper at 9:00 pm. This generosity was open to strangers, friends, and dignitaries.[22] October 1787, Elizabeth Willing Powel was a guest at Mount Vernon and noted the critical role of hospitality that was displayed by Martha.[23]  

     Exploring their homes, letters, diaries, and invoices of purchases made will demonstrate the influence of design established by America’s First Lady.  

     The Methodology provides views of historians and other documents that support the important contribution of Martha and George Washington to interior and garden designs of the eighteenth century. A visit to Mount Vernon will enhance the evidence found on this subject.

An appointment with the archivist will be important and helpful to find detailed records of Martha Washington’s involvement in the purchases made for their homes. An exploration of letters, diaries, documents, and correspondence will be important, as conversations and events happened many years ago. Appointments will be made to visit their homes and will confirm the influence of design established by America’s First Lady.   

     The historical significance of understanding Martha Washington’s influence on interior design in the eighteenth century was her contribution to the formation of a republic. Bernard Bailyn’s book, The Ideological Origins of the American Republic, explains the frail condition of early America and its infancy. George Washington was able to nurture people through a revolution and help establish a new government with a very competent woman by his side. A government that wanted to give power to the people and not serve a corrupt government. This was also supported by Gordon S. Wood, The Creation of the American Republic, 1776-1787. Wood wrote that the will of the people was to place political power into the hands of the people.

     The creation of a home, Mount Vernon, needed to have the furnishings that represented a new nation. One that had the finer things, but not too ostentatious. The design conveyed the importance of this home as the people’s house.

     Martha Washington was capable of orchestrating the management and care of Mount Vernon for her husband to feel at home and for others to leave an evening knowing they were with a competent, caring first lady. Martha’s choice of design set the stage for future presidents’ wives in America.

                                                Bibliography

Bailyn, Bernard. The Ideological Origins of the American Republic. Cambridge, Massachusetts:

     Harvard University Press, 1967.

Dalzell, Robert F. Jr. and Lee Baldwin Dalzell. George Washington’s Mount Vernon: At Home in

    Revolutionary America. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.

Henderson, Amy Hudson. “French & Fashionable: The Search for George and Martha

     Washington’s Presidential Furniture. In American Furniture. Edt. by Luke Beckerdite

     Milwaukee: Oxbow Books, 2019.

Langley, Batty. The City and Country Builder’s and Workman’s Treasury of Designs: Or the Art

     Of Drawing and Working the Ornamental Parts of Architecture. London: S. Harding, 1750.

Manca, Joseph. George Washington’s Eye: Landscape, Architecture, and Design at Mount

     Vernon. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2012.

Stertzer, Jennifer E., Kathryn Gehred, Mary K. Wigge, and Alicia K. Anderson, and

     Kim Curtia, and Lynn A. Price, eds. The Martha Washington Papers. Charlottesville:

     University of Virginia Press. 2022.

Thatcher, Laurel Ulrich, Ivan Gaskell, Sarah J. Schechner, and Sarah Anne Carter,

     Tangible Things: Making History through Objects. New York: Oxford University Press,

      2015.

Wood, Gordon S. The Creation of the American Republic, 1776-1778. Chapel Hill, North

     Carolina: University of North Carolina, 1969.

  Footnotes

[1] Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, Ivan Gaskell, Sarah J. Schechner and Sarah Anne Carter, Tangible Things: Making History through Objects (New York: Oxford University Press, 2015): 1.

[2] Robert F. Dalzell, Jr. and Lee Baldwin Dalzell. George Washington’s Mount Vernon: At Home in Revolutionary America (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998): xvii.  

[3] Dalzell and Dalzell, George Washington’s Mount Vernon: At Home in Revolutionary America xvii.

[4] Jennifer E. Stertzer, Kathryn Gehred, Mary K. Wigge, Alicia K. Anderson, Kim Curtia, and Lynn A. Price, eds. The Martha Washington Papers (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2022): 150.

[5] Ibid., 2.

[6] Amy Hudson Henderson. “French & Fashionable: The Search for George and Martha Washington’s Presidential Furniture. In American Furniture. Ed. by Luke Beckerdite (Milwaukee: Oxbow Books, 2019): 80.

[7] Ibid., 84.

[8] Ibid., 89.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid., 80.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Ibid. 83.

[14] Joseph Manca. George Washington’s Eye: Landscape, Architecture, and Design at Mount Vernon (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2012): vi.

[15] Ibid., 130.

[16] Ibid.

[17] Ibid.

[18] Ibid.

[19] Ibid.

[20] Dalzell and Dalzell, George Washington’s Mount Vernon: At Home in Revolutionary America. xvi.

[21] Stertzer, Gehred, Wigge, Anderson, Curtia, and Price, eds. The Martha Washington Papers.149.

[22] Ibid., 149.

[23] Ibid., 150.