The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association (MVLA) is an historic preservation organization that owns and preserves Mount Vernon, the estate and home of George Washington, General of the Armies of the United States and the nation’s first President. MVLA restores and maintains the mansion, grounds, and outbuildings of Mount Vernon to appear as it did in 1799, the year of Washington’s death. 1
The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association’s mission is to educate visitors about the life and legacies of George Washington and promote Washington’s character and leadership in an effort to inform and inspire generations to come. 2
History
The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association was founded in 1853 by Ann Pamela Cunningham in an effort to save and restore George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. Cunningham and MVLA used grassroots campaigning to raise $200,000 in order to purchase the estate in 1859 from one of George Washington’s relatives. 3
MVLA was the first national historic preservation organization in the U.S. and the oldest women’s patriotic society. Overseen by an all-female Board of Regents, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association continues to protect, preserve, and promote Mount Vernon, educating visitors from all over the world. 4
Activities
In 2013, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association opened the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon, intending to further advance appreciation for and understanding of George Washington. 5 MVLA also maintains the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center, which opened in 2006 and contains artifacts, interactive displays, and short films produced by The History Channel. 6
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon is an educational resource for researchers, scholars, and students interested in George Washington and the founding era in America. The library offers research fellowships and is home to the George Washington Leadership Institute. 7
Funding
Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses. MVLA discloses its donors in its annual report. Its largest cumulative donors, calculated starting in 1986, include the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation (over $25 million), the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation (between $10 and $24.99 million), and the Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Company Fund (between $10 and $24.99 million). 8
People
CEO
As of 2023, Douglas Bradburn was the president and CEO of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and the founding director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon. Bradburn is the co-founder and editor of the book series Early American Histories. Bradburn formerly worked as chair of the history department at the State University of New York at Binghamton. 9
Board of Regents
As of 2023, Margaret Hartman Nichols was the regent of MVLA and sits on the board of trustees of the New England Conservatory. 10
2023 vice regents included Sarah Seaman Alijani, Mary Lang Bishop, Ann Haunschild Bookout, Maribeth Armstrong Borthwick, Sarah Miller Coulson, Elizabeth Medlin Hale, Lucia Bosqui Henderson, Adrian MacLean Jay, Karen McCabe Kirby, Virginia Dawson Lane, Helen Herboth Laughery, Liz Rollins Mauran, Cameron Kock Mayer, Catherine Hamilton Mayton, Susan Brewster McCarthy, Anne Neal Petri, Ann Sherrill Pyne, Laura Peebles Rutherford, Andrea Notman Sahin, Ann Cady Scott, Susan Marshall Townsend, Catherine Marlette Waddell, and Hilary Carter West. 11
References
- “Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.” Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://www.mountvernon.org/preservation/mount-vernon-ladies-association/.
- “Our Mission.” Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://www.mountvernon.org/about/our-mission/.
- “Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.” Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://www.mountvernon.org/preservation/mount-vernon-ladies-association/.
- “Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.” Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://www.mountvernon.org/preservation/mount-vernon-ladies-association/.
- “Our Mission.” Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://www.mountvernon.org/about/our-mission/.
- “Donald W. Reynolds Museum & Education Center.” Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://www.mountvernon.org/the-estate-gardens/location/donald-w-reynolds-museum-education-center.
- “The Washington Library.” Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://www.mountvernon.org/library/.
- “2021 Annual Report.” Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Accessed May 6, 2023. https://mtv-main-assets.mountvernon.org/files/resources/annual-report-2021.pdf.
- “About Doug Bradburn.” Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Accessed May 8, 2023. https://www.mountvernon.org/preservation/mount-vernon-ladies-association/about-doug-bradburn/.
- “New Regent Takes the Helm at Mount Vernon.” Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, October 25, 2021. Accessed May 8, 2023. https://www.mountvernon.org/about/news/article/new-regent-takes-the-helm-at-mount-vernon/.
- “Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association Board Members.” Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Accessed May 8, 2023. https://www.mountvernon.org/preservation/mount-vernon-ladies-association/mount-vernon-ladies-association-board-members/.