MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- The unfailing contributions of those enslaved in the United States more than 154 years ago were commemorated at Mount Vernon during the month of February to honor of black history month.
The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union was founded in 1853 by Ann Pamela Cunningham, she gathered 11 other women and they took over George Washington’s mansion in 1860 which later became known as George Washington’s Mount Vernon, home of the first president of the United States just 25 miles from Marine Corps Base Quantico.
George Washington was born into a slave-holding society. Although his thoughts about slavery changed as he grew older, “his Mount Vernon” consisted of 318 enslaved people at the time of his death in 1799.
“For the most part, Mount Vernon was run by the slave community,” said Maria Morgan, history interpreter for GWMV.
Slaves had jobs from cooking, blacksmithing, making hats, overseeing and more. Their work days were from sun up to sun down. In the summer, work days could last up to 14 hours.
Beth Hosier, a history interpreter for GWMV, said that Washington was up before the sun rose and felt, that if he was up, there was no reason his workers shouldn’t be.
Washington’s home was known for the great hospitality guests would receive. In Virginia, it was a known custom to accept all guests without asking questions. It was even inappropriate to ask how long a guest would be staying. The longest a guest is known to have stayed at the Washington’s mansion is 11 months.
“They’re taking care of the guests in the house,” said Morgan. “Twelve household slaves were used to keep that place in running order and make that hospitality for which they were so famous, possible.”
Despite the hard work that slaves devoted to the Washington mansion, their living conditions weren’t ideal. Up to 90 people, including children, occupied the slave quarters. The quarters were no bigger than half of a basketball gym.
Morgan said there was a point when Washington had to raise the amount of food he would give to his slaves due to them finishing their weekly portions by Wednesday and complaining that it wasn’t enough. They were given five fish and a peck of cornmeal each week before he raised their portions.
Some of the innovations that Washington introduced were ideas that came from the actions or ideas of his slaves; such as, Washington’s 16-sided barn.
“These human beings contributed so heavily, not only the success of Mount Vernon, but this country,” said Jonathan Wood, an actor who plays the role of Washington’s personal servant at GWMV.
Visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon any day of the week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The closing time will change to 5 p.m. in March. The active duty admissions fee is $14 with military identification.
Correspondent: sarah.a.garcia@usmc.mil