Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
PO Box 3600Rebecca Baird, Archivist
Material can be reproduced for study or personal use upon written approval from library staff.
This collection is open for research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. The library reserves the right to restrict access to certain items for preservation purposes.
[Name and date of item], Papers of Christine Meadows, Curator, [Folder], Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.
This collection was initially reviewed by a former employee or volunteer, Ani DiFazio, who listed and described the contents of each box of records. This first pass was used to reassess and better arrange the material to create more consistency while keeping the essence of the original order according to DiFazio's list. The summaries of file contents have been kept and are included in the scope note for individual folders in the ArchivesSpace finding aid online. Some duplicated and/or outdated information was weeded from the collection during final processing.
First pass and cursory finding aid created by Ani S. DiFazio, 2001. Final arrangement and description completed by volunteer Candace Cowan and Rebecca Baird, archivist, 2023.
Christine Meadows (née Mary Christine Meadows) was born in Brunswick, Maryland on March 2, 1932 to Dr. Stanley Joseph and Katherine Gardner Meadows. Christine earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from Notre Dame College of Maryland and completed graduate coursework at William and Mary College before becoming an elementary school teacher in Frederick, Maryland. Her career at Mount Vernon began in 1960 when she was hired as a library assistant. In the library, Christine helped catalog and reorganize the library's collections including the books, manuscripts, files, pamphlets, prints, and drawings. She also began a decades-long devotion to researching all things pertaining to Washington and Mount Vernon. When the estate's curator, Helen Fede left her position in 1964, Christine was promoted to fill her place and continued in this role for the next 33 years. Her responsibilities included the acquisition of new Washington or period artifacts, care of the historical collections, supervision of the cleaning and maintenance in the Mansion and outbuildings, curating exhibits in the museum, and special research projects such as publications. Christine was well-known and respected in her field. During her tenure, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association acquired valuable, original Washington pieces and the Mansion underwent a major paint analysis and update. Her extensive research and dedication to authenticity were particularly beneficial to the Association. She also worked closely with several committees including the Accession Committee, the Annual Report Committee, the Museum Committee, and the Household Committee. Her substantial knowledge on the Washingtons, the early American period, and the collections at Mount Vernon put her in high demand as a speaker and presenter on these topics. Upon announcing her retirement in 1997, the MVLA Board hosted a farewell dinner in her honor and the Council minutes noted "The consensus of the evening was that Miss Meadows will always be remembered for her scholarship and knowledge, and with special affection for her humor and inspiration to scores of Vice Regents, but most importantly for her devotion to Mount Vernon and her dedication to preserving the collection and the institution, and the world of George Washington." She was named Curator Emerita of Mount Vernon, assisting with research for important projects and sharing her long institutional memory with staff. Christine Meadows passed away on January 19, 2013 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
The Papers of Christine Meadows contain the work files of the curator, representing daily administrative tasks as well as career-long research topics. The collection includes correspondence, reports, memos, inventory lists, research files with photocopied references, and remarks or presentations. The majority of the material reflects the years Ms. Meadows served as curator, 1960 to 1997, but several folders hold documents prior to her tenure as curator. She most likely inherited these files from the previous curator, Helen Fede, who is also named as a creator of this collection. The inclusive dates are 1869 to 1997.
The collection is organized into five series, closely following the original breakdown of files by Christine Meadows with exceptions only for clarification or consistency purposes. Folders are organized in alphabetical order by folder title throughout the collection, and then chronologically. The series are as follows:
Series 1. Administration Series 2. Collections Management Series 3. Committees Series 4. Research Series 5. Subject Files
- Collections departmental files (unprocessed) - Papers of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association - Papers of the Superintendent and Resident Director - Minutes of the Council and Annual Reports
Contains records on common day-to-day tasks, Mount Vernon procedures, monthly reports, and general correspondence or inquiries. Bulk dates 1980s-1990s.
Notes on handling a bomb threat, memo
Correspondence re gifts, trust, capital funding, annual support funding plan
Memos
Memo to Fire Marshall re unannounced fire drills, 1984
Memo
Pertaining to the care, provenance, storage, and display of historical collections. Includes appraisals for insurance, inventories, correspondence, museum storage and maintenance documents, and wish lists. Bulk dates 1960s-1990s.
Research, memos, budgets, minutes
Curatorial storage information, memos, photo storage information
Brochure and related materials from an appraiser
List of early collections given, purchased, loaned to the MVLA, Handwritten list of major acquisitions - objects, whether given or purchased, appraisal value
Insurance policies, correspondence, Fine Arts inventory Library Department, APC building, study materials 'Legal problems of museum administration,' list of insured objects on loan, schedule of loaned collections by lender, fine arts insurance values by structure, objects of fine art owned by and lent to MVLA, inventory of APC building
List of objects by building (1966), correspondence, "Proposal for Permanent Room Assignments with Furniture from States," (1963), "Inventory of Bedrooms,"" (1949), "Association Headquarters," (1952), "Association Headquarters Building" by room (1952), "Association Dormitory Building" (1952), "Association Headquarters Building," "Association Dormitory Building" with Valuations, "Inventories of Bedrooms," List of objects by states
"List of Furniture, gifts, pictures, plants, etc." "Miscellaneous Pictures in storeroom of Museum" "Memorandum List for the Museum Committee - Articles that have been removed from exhibition" January 1941 "Relics Removed from Exhibition" "Cupboard under sword case" ca. 1951 "List of Articles in Storage on SEcond Floor of Gardener's House," June 1938 "Inventory of Articles Removed from Mansion Attic to Utility Building (Storage), December 1942
"Curator's Storage Inventory," 1968, "Bedspreads Now Used in the Mansion," "Curator's Storage" and "Curator Office" (1965)
Handwritten notebook of 19th and early 20th century references of objects with disposition and catalog number, where appropriate; Handwritten list of donations or money from the state of New York - list of objects and gifts; "Inventory at Mount Vernon 1885-1886"; List of objects by room, 1896; "Inventory of Mansion May 1885" and supporting lists; Handwritten lists of objects; "List of 'original' objects at Mount Vernon" ca. 1920; correspondence re furnishings; Inventory 1896
List of objects in table and wall cases (including placement of objects) after 1969
"Inventory of Museum Storage" 1963, 1965, List of objects by Museum location, 1965
"Inventory of Contents" (1977)
"Store Room Inventory," 1981 Inventory of outbuildings (1981)
Handwritten notes of the Relics Committee (indication that notes were found amoung Mrs. Failing's papers, 1941); Handwritten notes (indication that notes were found among Miss Jennings' papers); 1889 handwritten notes re relics in various rooms; Typed inventory by room, 1896
Shop storage inventory lists (1964), "Unlocated" 1970 list, "Furniture in Curatorial Storage available for Loan to Lloyd House" list (undated), "Dispositions made of Articles at Mount Vernon during Storage Housecleaning (1955), "Tile Building Storage," 1964, Notes, photos
"List of Mansion Furnishings" (1958) with object list and descriptions and diagram of room arrangements.
Correspondence, vendor information
Correspondence, vendor information
Correspondence, items lists
Photos, memos, correspondence, vendor brochures, notes, post cards
Diagrams, vendor information, correspondence, photos
Vendor information, memos, correspondence
Samples, vendor materials, correspondence
Original 19th and early 20th century documents re relics on deposit
"Schedule for Loaned Collections" by lender, undated
Museum inventory and values, 1980
Christine Meadows worked as the staff liaison to several committees in the MVLA. Files in this series contain her reports and correspondence to members of these committees. Inclusive dates 1951-1993.
Exhibition area coordination committee minutes and chain maps, outdoor access meetings minutes
Report, notes
Reports, correspondence, wish list, memos, notes, budget
Meeting arrangements, supplies, house staff leave, clothing budgets, work schedules, menus
Diagrams, report to committee, list of objects, memos, vendor materials
Backstairs handrails; Minutes; Notes; Correspondence; Memos; Excerpts from articles, newspaper; photo; reports
Interpretive Sign Information request sheets, vendor information, inventory of all signs as of July 1989, budgetary information, excerpts from Writings, 20th century history on some outbuildings
Files kept by topic of research. Types of records include book excerpts and articles, correspondence, primary source citations and bibliographic references, exhibit label text, and memos. Bulk dates 1950s-1990s.
Excerpts from "The American Home"
Notes on Washington inventories, copies of articles, books, "cumulative index" 1937-1941
Notes and diagrams on identifying faking of objects
Excerpts from "Journal of the Study of Architectural Historians," photos, notes, glossary of architectural terms, other related documents
Excerpts from Writings, Letter re travel arrangements, notes
Written by Meadows
Brief report, project description, letters
Letters, Booklet "Keep of the Bastille", 1887
Post cards with bed hangings depicted
"Housing and Family Life of the Mount Vernon Negro" 1954, 1962; Correspondence, excerpts; "Report for the Chairman of Outbuildings Committee," 1952
Letters, copy of article on camera obscura
Notes, articles from magazines
Letters (1970s and early 1980s), Article/paper on the museum
Photos, "Oriental Porcelains from Alexandria Collections," the Alexandria Association, 1979, handwritten notes, correspondence, news clippings, "The Sailing Ship on Chinese Porcelain - A brief survey 1700-1850", Worksheets - Chinese porcelain
Research on Christmas in the 18th century, mostly on food, table settings, designs; Memo re Christmas as Mount Vernon
Notes, excerpts, correspondence
Excerpts from Writings, Letters
List of Martha Washington purchases (based on letters, invoices, and Writings), Excerpts from letters, Writings
Notes, excerpts from "Presence of the Past - A history of the Preservation Movement in the United States before Williamsburg
Copies of inventories (with indications of which objects were taken an used by MW), shows disposition of all goods in the estate
Antiques magazine on pineapples, 1945, letters, diaries, excerpts
Notes, articles, correspondence, excerpts from "Writings"
LIst of London merchants that GW did business with, 1948
Exhibit labels, correspondence with New York and Pennsylvania historical societies, photos of original prints, invoices, vendor proposals, designs, schedules, exhibit layouts, list of objects on exhibit, chronological account of written documents as pertains to GW
Voting information for 1st election, excerpts from publications, edits to vignettes in exhibit, exhibit signs, vendor materials
Materials in the Pack Lobby cases, exhibition proposal, memo, notes, excerpts
Materials in the Pack Lobby cases, exhibition proposal, memo, notes, excerpts
Memos, attendance trends
Correspondence
Letters
Copies of articles/pictures on fence
Excerpts from books/articles
Presidential Study Group documents, excerpts, handwritten notes, meeting notes
Mary Thompson memo re foodways at Mount Vernon, and memo re table setting/menu for television shooting research.
Letters, replies from membership
Notes, excerpts from "Writings"
Letter, promotional materials, materials on Hopewell Furnace
Photos, copies of articles/books/letters
Letters, invoices
Copy of Form, Function, and Meaning in the Use of Fabric Furnishings, Copy of Potomac Squire
Newspaper article on GW bed, excerpts from Writings, handwritten notes on card re inventory of Mount Vernon, letters/memos, list of objects as of 9/1980 (by catalogue number) an discussions of authenticity
Copy of Preservation Technical Notes - Reducing Visible and Ultraviolet Light Damage to Interior Wood Finishes, articles on aprons, 1988 Mount Vernon furniture conservation priority list
Family tree, pedigree, notes, memos, correspondence
Correspondence, notes, family tree
Family tree, correspondence, copies of letters, family marriage records, notes
Excerpts from Writings, notes, memo
Excerpts from letters, Analysis of character (Washington deemed an ISTJ: Introvert, Sensor, Thinker, Judger.
Letters, invoices, report, memos, photos, schematics; Article "The Domestic Pageant: Society and the Great House in Early Virginia
Letters, invoices, report, memos, photos, schematics; Article "The Domestic Pageant: Society and the Great House in Early Virginia
Notes, 1914 invoice, old reports, references
Correspondence, photos of Quincy bells
Memos, invoices, sample trim, diagrams, photos
Photocopied articles, picture of engravings, notes
Photocopies of source documents, re: bells, photos of Moffatt Ladd House, letters
Reliance testing in Mosca's Report
Diaries/letters, documentary evidence of bells
References to, notes
Huntington: The Great Experiment, letters, list of objects for loan to Huntington Library
Handwritten notes, excerpts from articles, books, pages from Christies Auction Catalogue, worksheet accession of Eliza Custis miniature
"Comparison of Objects in the Mount Vernon Kitchen in 1799 and Today" undated
Notes on "Draft of Structure Report", an historical account of condition and work done in Mansion, including a mech-electrical assessment of the Mansion and outbuildings. Includes some mention of HVAC; list of structural engineers to make Mansion evaluation; 1985 plans for Mansion conservation/maintenance; list of conservation contractors - "Historic House Consortium Contractor Index"; RFP by MVLA for structural investigation in 1988; Internal memo re ventilation in the Mansion; news clippings, memo on 18th century method for polishing silver
Memos, notes, vendor materials, timing, light operation manual
Handwritten notes on the repair/condition history of Mount Vernon, letters describing Mount Vernon, GW and MW
Memo listing historically used Mansion room names, copies of letters, excerpts from "Writings", copies of original documents re room measurements
Copies of articles/books
Letters re publications on the Centennial Exposition of 1876, Meadows' letters, handwritten notes, articles, information on Kenmore, New Jersey room chandelier
References to Mount Vernon spinet
Materials on preservation efforts, 1858 article on Mount Vernon by Benson Lossing re preservation efforts, notes, copy of 18th century letter, letter re fundraising
Handwritten notes, copy of articles re lace, shoes, and textiles, copy of MW letter
Memos, reports, letters re new museum facility (1991 and 1992)
Letters (1952, 1967, 1968, 1982)
Excerpts from Writings, minutes from selected MVLA Council, 1990 Garden House inventory
Meadows' slave quarters panel presentation, correspondence, memos, notes, excerpts from Writings, ledgers, "Laboring Hands and the Transformation of Mount Vernon Plantation 1783-1799," "Report of Physical Research and Recommendations for Spinning House," 1952
Correspondence, memo
Photos, notes, vendor pamphlet, articles
Inventory of GW paintings and prints, Mount Vernon "wish list" 1975, vendor documents, excerpts from "Writings"
"Restoring the Mount Vernon Servants Hall," Pogue, 1998; selected reports/documents re servants hall; memos, notes
Copy "Federal Period Inventories of Salem Merchants,"
Letters, maps/diagrams
"Descriptions of George Washington - A Chronological Compilation of Contemporary Pen Portraits and Other Pertinent References," tentative seminar schedule, handwritten notes, copies of Freeman indices, excerpts from various documents, publications
Excerpts from Writings
Correspondence, notes, article, early documents on Mount Vernon silverware
Bibliography of works on slavery and the slave trade
Materials on slaves, slave diets, etc.; Worksheets on Mount Vernon slaves; "Slaves on the Mansion House Farm - 1799" (1991)
Article
Correspondence, memos, excerpts from The Complete Domestic Distiller, articles
Materials pertaining to Survey of Extant Documented Ceramics and Glass
Correspondence, photo of portrait
Memo re tomb condition (1994), article re tomb "Washington's Home and the Nation's Shrine," Names of marble and stone conservators
Excerpt from "Children's Toys Throughout the Ages," Excerpt from 'Writings', Memos to Chairmen on Museum Shop.
Washington/Lafayette Yorktown Capitulation Watch material, other unowned watches, letters, photos; material re Franklin Mint 'Washington timepiece,' Tilden watch, Washington-Michaux watch, Greene watch
Memos re shutters and curtains used to control light in the Mansion, discussion of problems with HVAC discussed in report, Analysis of Temperature and Humidity Records in the Mansion, undated but probably ca. 1988, description of the New Room and its objects
Article on women in the preservation movement, notes, copy of letter, articles, lectures
General subject files kept on a variety of topics including publications, interpretation practices, licensing products, projects, and departmental information. Bulk dates 1980s-1990s.
Archaeological investigations in the vineyard enclosure, 1989; archaeological investigations in the blacksmith shop, 1987
Book/manuscript reviews; Memo - the holiday season at Mount Vernon
Notes for 1997 traveling exhibit, letters, memos, book reviews, answering public inquiries (late 1990s), list of recent accessions, suggested objects for special exhibit, list of upcoming major anniversaries, suggested seasonal scenarios
Newspaper clippings, vendor letters, information on GW breeches, priority list of GW/MW items that are no longer to be reproduced (!988)
Notes re Washingtons taste in decorative arts, outline for slides for interpretive training re furnishing plan 1990, copy of Interpreter's Handbook (1989), memos, interpreter materials, information sheets, Historic Trail booklet, self-guided tour, school essays, Mount Vernon teacher materials, copies of articles from Annual Reports pertaining to the out-of-doors, binder containing room-by-room information for interpreters
Notes re Washingtons taste in decorative arts, outline for slides for interpretive training re furnishing plan 1990, copy of Interpreter's Handbook (1989), memos, interpreter materials, information sheets, Historic Trail booklet, self-guided tour, school essays, Mount Vernon teacher materials, copies of articles from Annual Reports pertaining to the out-of-doors, binder containing room-by-room information for interpreters
Memos 1986-1989; Correspondence, RFPs, responses to RFPs for engineering design work
Map displaying the growth of Mount Vernon 1754-1786
Mount Vernon shooting list
Outbuildings interpretation, 1991 interpretation, handwritten notes
Copy of museum attendants' orientation for Heavy Visitation Orientation, undated and author unknown
Curator's observation of Mansion interpretation, 1982
1982 stable interpretation
Notes, copies of metal objects
NOtes, memos, designs
Note
Note
Notes, letters, lists of objects for reproductions
Memos, letters, resumes (lighting experts), Mansion electrical/lighting plans, lighting controls, lighting specifications, estimates, brochures, pamphlets, contracts, purchase order, invoices, weekly progress meeting notes
Memos, letters, resumes (lighting experts), Mansion electrical/lighting plans, lighting controls, lighting specifications, estimates, brochures, pamphlets, contracts, purchase order, invoices, weekly progress meeting notes
Memos, invoices, purchase orders, correspondence
?Carpet history, information, cost, invoices, correspondence
Memos of late 1970s, correspondence on museum, interpretation
Museum attendants' orientation
Letters, list of tools Mount Vernon would like to acquire, reports, memo produced by the M-WTCA Mount Vernon Committee.
Letters, list of tools Mount Vernon would like to acquire, reports, memo produced by the M-WTCA Mount Vernon Committee.
1985-1986 letters, bills, resume
Script of walking tour
A report "Making Colonial Paints - The Experience at Mount Vernon," articles, clippings, brochure of artist materials
Invoices, letters, brochures for pigments/paint lines, paint analysis, Goethe's theory of colors, copies of other works/articles re color and paint, paint samples, specifications for restoration painting, APT Bulletin 1983
Invoices, letters, brochures for pigments/paint lines, paint analysis, Goethe's theory of colors, copies of other works/articles re color and paint, paint samples, specifications for restoration painting, APT Bulletin 1983
Invoices, letters, brochures for pigments/paint lines, paint analysis, Goethe's theory of colors, copies of other works/articles re color and paint, paint samples, specifications for restoration painting, APT Bulletin 1983
Article written by Meadows, on Washington household, "The Epilogue: Dispersals and Retrievals" chapter for china book
Correspondence, article, news clippins, text
Correspondence, photos, news clippings, lists/notes