Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
PO Box 3600Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Telephone: 703-799-3600
URL: https://archives.mountvernon.org
Rebecca Baird, Archivist
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Access
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.
Preferred Citation
[Name and date of item], Maps of Mount Vernon and the surrounding areas, Archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia
Scope and Contents
Maps collected by, or created by, Mount Vernon staff and the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Includes maps of the estate itself, as well as the surrounding neighborhood, the viewshed, and Fairfax County. Dates range from the 1850s to 1992, with bulk dates in the 1930s-1960s.
Arrangement
This collection is described at an item level and arranged in the finding aid by physical location.
Related Material
There may be some overlap in content with the Measured Drawings collection. See also the Restoration Files for the Historic Structures Report and the Morley Jeffers Williams Collection.
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Abbott, Harold T.
- Bailey, Worth, 1908-1980
- Berry, Joseph
- Dodge, Harrison Howell, 1852-1937
- Fisher, Robert B.
- Gillingham, W.
- Rouse, James B., 1896-1946
- Ulman, Nathalia
- Williams, Morley Jeffers, 1886-1977
Container List
Reproduction. Plan for kitchen garden; written description of garden; list of all plants.
Reproduction. Topographic survey/map of Mount Vernon. Multiple copies in several locations (noted). 1" = 200'
Reproduction. Federal Highway System. Road map of the Virginia sections of the Capital Beltway in four sections, identifying exits and intersecting towns and cities.
Reproduction. Walter L. Phillips, Inc. Plan of roadways in front of Mount Vernon, showing MVLA property lines with the U.S. government. 1" = 100'
3 reproduction copies of plan for grounds around the mansion. 1" = 80'
Original. Detail section taken from overall topographic survey. Shows partial historic area.
Reproduction. R. Frank Hunt. Drawing of estate from admission entrance gate to the barbed wire fence: From wharf to the west gate. Another copy in Drawer 80, Folder 8. 1" = 40'
Reproduction. Unknown creator. Topographic map of entire Mount Vernon estate with buildings included. 1" = 200'
Reproduction. Map shows who owned parcels of land and how many acres -- poor quality copy.
Mock-up of an information panel for display. Shows a map of the Potomac River with Mount Vernon and Maryland shore across from Mount Vernon with sections marked "Screened area." At top and bottom are photographs taped together into a panoramic view of the Maryland shore where potential commercial development had been threatened. Numbered markings on the photographs point out features such as Marshall Hall, Mockley Point, Bryan Point, etc.
Reproduction. County of Fairfax, VA. Copyright 1958, Revised 1968. Neighborhoods around Mount Vernon. 2 maps.
Original. Note written by Charles Wall on reverse "Five sheets - State Highway Route 725 (now 235) from Mount Vernon to Woodlawn. Tracings received from Mr. Boothe, Dec. '38." Shows the highway, Mount Vernon Realty Co. property. 5 pages.
Blueprint. Drawn by WLC. Shows position of earth before and after landslide, probable location of slide plane, etc. 1 drawing.
Reproduction. Two detailed sections of the Mount Vernon survey 1931 by Williams. Note at bottom "Mount Vernon General Plan... Plan 322-108 and Plan 322-104." 2 maps.
Original. Pencil sketched map showing land bordering MVLA property lines, with ferry landing, wharf, Mansion, and railway terminus all identified. MVLA property and railway station marked in red ink, noted by hand of Harrison Dodge.
Original. Pencil drawn map showing measurements, profile of drainage tunnels with the tunnel entrance and deer park wall noted on the map. Fading and fragile condition. Handwritten note at bottom reads "Drainage Tunnel Profile, notation by H.H.D."
Original. Pencil drawn map showing east lawn's slope with tunnel, water seepage, brick box, river level, and Mansion all identified. Horizontal scale 1" = 20', Vertical scale 1" = 8'
Reproduction. Map used during Operation Overview to show proposed commercial developments and land authorized for acquisition under Public Law 87-362, "to preserve lands which provide the principal overview from the Mount Vernon Estate and Forth Washington..." 5 copies. Scale 1:24,000
Reproduction. Rudimentary map showing Mount Vernon and land to be purchased with appropriated funds, land donated to Department of the Interior, Agreements exectued committing this land to be donated, scenic easements authorized, site of proposed sewage plant. Map used during Operation Overview at Mount Vernon. 1 map.
Original. MacKall and Clark. Showing the south line of Mount Vernon estate, springs, and Potomac River. Some measurements noted by hand on map. Scale 300'
"From a survey by A. Lindenkohl, 1879. Published May 1897. W.W. Duffield, superintendent. Verified: O.H. Tillmann, Assistant in charge of office. Note: Location of Monument and other Data added in 1897." Scale 1/10,000
Reproduction. Claiborne and Taylor, Inc., W.W. La Prade and Bros. Shows service area with proposed engine house, spring house, a one-story service building with proposed addition, and gravel drives. 1" = 10'
Original. Map showing the layout of each garden with key for boxwood, herb borders, brick and paving tiles, cobblestones, turf, espaliers and cordons, gravel walks, and brick walks. Drawn onto board. 2 maps.
Reproduction. R. von Glumer. "A Plan of the Western Lawn at Mount Vernon, Va. and the Elevation of the Washington Mansion giving the exact location of the outbuildings, gardens, and walks of this Historic home, with a view looking East to the Potomac River and the Maryland Shore, made by the hand of General Washington after the Revolution. This reproduction is an exact copy from the Original document, in the possession of Mrs. Britannia Peter Kennon, great grand daughter of Mrs. General Washington. Photographed by special permission to illustrate Dr. J.M. Toner's edition of the Diaries and Journals of Washington." M-1483.1 C.2, A-333. 1 drawing.
Original. Mounted and adhered to board. Ink on paper. 1" = 250'
Original. Map showing Washington, D.C. down to Mount Vernon with the railway marked in red. No date or creator listed on map.
Folded, fragile. Compiled and drawn in the cartographic section of the National Geographic Society for the National Geographic magazine, Gilbert Grosvenor, LL.D., Litt. D., Editor. Prepared in accordance with the Joint Act of Congress known as the 71st Congress Second Session S. 3398 in cooperation with the United States Commission for the Celebration of the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of George Washington. G3791.A85 1799.N3
Reproduction. Prepared from information furnished by Fairfax Planning Commission. Carpenter and Cobbs land surveyors. 1" = 3000'
Blueprint. Shows the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association property with the Robertson Tract, Heurich tract, Neitzy (Neitzey) tract, ferry landing, etc. 40 poles per inch
Original and reproduction. Hand-colored map showing locations for historic areas of the Virginia and Washington, D.C. area. 2 maps.
U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, U.S.G.S. Showing radio ranges, danger areas, etc. for aircraft. Scale 1:250,000
U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, U.S.G.S. Showing danger areas and hazard areas for aircraft visibility for Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay region. Also, shows areas prohibited by air traffic and radio ranges. Contour interval 500'
United States Geological Survey. 2 copies, one with notes drawn by Mount Vernon staff showing George Washington's birthplace, Stratford Hall property, Westmoreland State Park, Haywood, and Wakefield properties. Note written by Charles Wall, map given by the superintendent of Washington's Birthplace, November 1947. Scale 1/62,500
Reproduction. "A map showing the boundary of Mount Vernon, Mount Zephyr, and the Union farms and relation to each other - 1600 acres of which are now offered for sale in lots to suit purchasers by the proprietor who can recommend it for health, pure spring water and richness and fertility of soil. For terms of sale apply on the premises of Mount Zephyr, Aaron Leggett." Includes John Augustine Washington III's property lines.1" = 1 mile
Blueprint. Section enlargement from a government map (unknown) with notes drawn and added by Harrison Dodge, showing Heurich Addition, Gould Addition, Landon Addition, railroad, "present auto road," etc. Contour intervals 10 feet.
Blueprint. Map showing Mount Vernon with lots of land and bordering tracts. 1" = 400'
Reproduction. Plat showing MVLA property including Gould addition, Landon addition, original purchase, and U.S. Government property. 1/4" = 100 feet
Map of Mount Vernon and Maryland with the Potomac River and Piscataway Creek. Prepared by the Army Map Service, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C. Planimetric detail revised by photo-planimetric methods. Original map compiled by photogrammetric methods. Coastal hydrography compiled from USC&GS Chart 560. Aerial photography March -April 1955. Sheet 5561, Series V834, US 65, 11 NE. Scale 1:25,000
Original. F.S. Hardesty. Showing location of current structures in the Mount Vernon district of Fairfax County. Also shows Mount Vernon railway. Dated before the George Washington Memorial Parkway was created. Scale 1" = .5 miles
U.S. Geological Survey, Corps of Engineers. USGS map of the Fort Belvoir area. Surveyed by U.S.G.S. in cooperation with the Corps of Engineers U.S. Army, 1920. Revised by the Corps of Engineers, 1926. Scale 1/20,000
Reproduction. Color map of of the Mount Vernon viewshed over the Potomac River, "Commercial Development Suitability, Viewshed at 84 ft height with vegetation." Prepared for the MVLA. 1"=2000'
Reproduction. Air Survey and Design, Inc. Series of 6 maps showing the neighborhood and area around Mount Vernon, part of Fairfax County. Mostly likely used for viewshed purposes and analysis.
Hand-traced map copied from a U.S. Coast survey map of January 18? Noted April 17, 1888 - H.H.D. Original map unknown. 1' = 2000 yards
Reproduction. U.S. Coast Guard, Fifth District Civil Engineering. Includes details of day beacon size and markings, bill of material, specifications, etc. 3/4" = 1'
Reproduction. Air Survey Corporation of Virginia. Made from photography collected 4-12-86. Date of compilation 8-9-89. "Coordinate system base on: Va. State Plane Coordinate System. Vertical control data based on: MSL 1929 adjustment." Scale 1" = 200'
Reproduction of Worth Bailey's general plan or layout of the Mansion and surrounding grounds with outbuildings and gardens identified. One large reproduction adhered to board with numbers to plan for a location key (probably planning for the print brochure) and one smaller printed reproduction with areas named instead of numbered for the key. Scale 1" = 200'
Reproduction. Shows breakdown of lots, acreage including land sold to the Ladies' Association with notes added showing those lots sold. Scale forty poles per inch
Original and reproduction. Original is folded/fragile. Shows general layout of Mount Vernon historic area with measurements, distances, and site names. Tracing by J.B.R. (James Rouse) from General Plan by Morley Jeffers Williams.
Blueprint. By Edward Holland, Jr. Showing the area of the Vice Regents' Quarters. Fading. Two copies
Reproductions. By Photogrammetry. 3 copies. One with red tracing of lines where George Washington's original farms were located. Showing the Mount Vernon, Fort Belvoir, Fort Hunt, and Hollin Hall area. Scale 1:24,000
Fairfax County Dept. of Taxation Division of Appraisals and Mapping. Set of 21 maps and one showing sections of Fairfax County in the neighborhood near Mount Vernon. Dept. of Taxation, Div. of Appraisals and Mapping, Fairfax County. One map with taped, pieced together sections and notes shows the Bike Trail and Bike Trail Easement through the MVLA property.
Map showing proposed automobile route for the new George Washington Memorial Parkway along the Potomac riverfront.
Reproduction. Perspective view used for print promotional material such as the Mount Vernon information brochure, ca. 1980s. In this view, the slave memorial is shown so the date must be after 1983. From the orginial by Morley Jeffers Williams and Nathalia Ulman.
Reproduction. Two copies on board of the perspective view map of the Mansion and surrounding grounds by Nathalia Ulman and Morley Jeffers Williams. 2 copies.
Blueprint and reproduction. Map showing boundary lines of government and MVLA property with coordinates. Estates and other properties also shown including Beverly D. Tucker estate, Gibbs, and Smith properties. Scale 1" = 200'
National Capital Office. United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service Design and Construction, George Washington Memorial Parkway. Drawing No. N.C.R. 117.-691-1
Blueprint and reproduction. Prepared in the office of Sterling R. Maddox and Associates, Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors. Note: Topography compiled by photogrammetric methods from photography dated December 16, 1969. Horizontal Datum: Virginia State Plane coordinate System; Vertical Datum: Low Water. Folder also contains photostats of enlarged sections of the survey map. Scale 1" = 200'
Blueprint copy. Edward S. Holland, Jr. Plat plan of area around the MVLA Quarters. Map fading especially around edges. Location of specific trees noted. 1" = 20'
Reproduction. Note: "Laid down from the old Maps made by G. Washington, and from actual surveys by W. Gillingham." Shows location of five farms with contemporary plats and owners of land. Illustrations of the Mansion and Washington's Tomb. Poor condition, adhered to board and split in two pieces.
National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Sections colored with notes "Title to be conveyed to U.S. Subject to dredging rights for 30 year period." Other notations on map say "Riparian rights granted in this area." File No. 105.223-415. 1" = 500'
Blueprint copy of Dodge's drawing of the drainage and proposed tunnel and drains to the river east of the Mansion.
Blueprint showing location of water supply for the estate with proposed new hydrant, water supply from pump house located on the Potomac River, Service Tanks, Proposed new Bypass with valve, and more.
Reproduction. Shows land additions including Gould, Landon, and Heurich tracts. 1/4" = 100'
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Engineer Office, Washington, D.C. April 29, 1939; May 16, 1944; November 23, 1944; May 29, 1945; August 13, 1947. Five (with a copy of one) maps with sounding notes and dredging information conducted by the Corps of Engineers in the Potomac River, Mt. Vernon Channel. 1:1200
Original printing. Prepared by the Army Map Service, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army. Map showing area surrounding Mount Vernon up to Hybla Valley and Wellington neighborhood in the north, Piscataway Creek, Fort Washington, and areas of Prince George's County and Charles County, Maryland to the south. Reverse side has photo map of the same area, also prepared by the Corps of Engineers.
Photogrammetry, Inc. Showing the Mount Vernon, Fort Hunt, and Fort Belvoir area. Note: "This map prepared as a community service project under the direction of Ernest B. Glynn, registered professional engineer, and sponsored by the Mt. Vernon Citizens Association, The Mt. Vernon Fire Department, The Civitan Club of Mt. Vernon and civic minded friends." 1:24,000
"Mount Vernon Channel, showing condition of channel subsequent to dredging, authorized by permit issued to the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union, October 31, 1908. Project of November 1907 shown thus..." Handwritten note attached to drawing about the process and depths of dredging the river. 1/1200
Two facsimile copies of Washington's map of his five farms, with MVLA property shaded in red and labeled "M.V.L.A." One copy also shows Jefferson Davis Highway, Electric Railway, and the Proposed Boulevard to Mount Vernon drawn onto the map by Harrison Dodge.
Original. One pencil drawing, original map torn into two pieces. Note "Bureau of Public Roads – Plat showing property of U.S. Govt. and Mt. Vernon Ladies Assoc. – known as Berry Map. Bureau of Public Roads – Grading Plan of Mt. Vernon Terminus – August 1929." Scale 1" = 80'
Original. Map of Mount Vernon's historic area with Deer Park, Addition to Deer Park, Potomac River, several outbuildings, and employee cottages all marked.
Blueprint with elevations showing the road plan created for the new service building.
Original and blueprint. Drawn by ROK. Approved by Morley Jeffers Williams. Original map torn almost completely in two. Topographical map with "Typical Road Cross-Section" and notes. Job 322, Plan 51.
Original. Shows "new" headquarters building with landscaping notes and drawing.
Reproduction. Shows plan for trees, draining system.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Public Roads. Shows property borders of MVLA, Landon, and Gibbs properties. Total Landon property is 206+ acres. One with red lines, notation of changes to property lines. 8 copies. 1" = 200'
Blueprint and reproduction. W.W. Laprade and Bros. Civil Engineers, under the direction of Claiborne and Taylor, Inc. Shows Service Building (shop), the grounds, the brick walk, roads, etc. One copy has the Engine House or Fire House drawn in with proposed changes to road. Scale 1" = 10'
Blueprint. S.T. Abert. Torn map showing MVLA property with historic buildings and adjoining property of 33 ½ acres given as a gift by Jay Gould in 1887.
Original and reproduction. E. Willard Smith, Civil Engineer. Includes profile of road "now in use" and profile of proposed road. Hand colored. Scale 1" = 200'
Reproduction. Modern drawing depicting an alternate layout of the Mansion and outbuildings thought to pre-date 1752. Includes gardens, trees, and buildings labeled A, B, C, D. No other information. 1/8" = 1'
Reproduction. R. Frank Hunt, estate draftsman. Plot plan drawing of the historic area at Mount Vernon including the Ann Pamela Cunningham and Bolton administration buildings. Another copy in Drawer 69, rolled storage (Plat of historic area) Scale 1" = 40'
Original and reproduction. Topographical map of the area with key to different trees for the proposed planting. Scale 1" = 40'
Unlabeled map of unnamed area or location at Mount Vernon showing trees and other plantings. Original. Scale 1/4" = 1'
Reproduction. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Public Roads. Proposed plantings for entire Mount Vernon terminus area, Mount Vernon Memorial Highway. Includes notes, plans for signage, key to tree types, etc. Scale 1" = 100'
Original. Survey showing the upper garden and general area north including the Texas Gate, several outbuildings, roads/paths, and administration building (current Bolton building). Scale 1" = 40'
Original. U.S. War Department, traced by E. R. Kent. Topographic map of Mount Vernon and vicinity, "Note: This map was traced from a photographic enlargement of a portion of the U.S. War Department map. Due to distortion in photographing the scale is only approximate." Traced by E.R. Kent. Scale 1" = 310'
Blueprint and reproductions. Original blueprint, one full size reproduction, and smaller copies of Williams' 1931 topographic map. Shows details, names of buildings with tree legend. Scale 1" = 40'
2 reproductions (copies) of Williams' topographic survey 1931. Poor quality.
Topographic map of historic area of Mount Vernon
12 sheets of unlabeled topographic maps of various areas of the estate
Reproduction. Redrawn version of map drawn by George Washington in 1793
Original. Large topographic plan of the estate, showing buildings and gardens, as well as labeling every variety of tree. Scale 1" = 20'
Original and reproduction in Bin 4. Large topographic survey of the estate grounds. Scale 1" = 80'. Reproduction is fragile with a large tear. Neg. 3994 written at bottom reverse.
Reproduction. Map of Fairfax County with shading over Mount Vernon area. Fragile with a large tear.
Black and white photograph of the estate grounds. Fragile with many tears.
United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey. Large topographic map showing development all around Mount Vernon. Water damage.
Two copies - one in Bin 4 and one in Bin 5 (very fragile). Plan of permanent features at Mount Vernon.
Map of Mount Vernon property with locations approximate based on existing surveys. Fragile, water damage and tears. Scale 1" = 160'