Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington

Opening in 2013 thanks to the efforts of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, this is the presidential library for George Washington and contains many of the papers and other documents of America's first president, along with a variety of artifacts and books that once belonged to President Washington. The library is named in honor of Fred W. Smith, the chairman of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, in recognition of his donation of $38 million in support of the construction of the building.

George Washington was born in Popes Creek in the British colony of Virginia on February 22, 1732. The Washington family controlled significant property and their fortune derived from land speculation and the cultivation of tobacco with labor performed by both free and enslaved persons His father, Augustine Washington, was justice for the peace and a notable public figure. When his father died in 1743, Washington inherited the Ferry Farm and the enslaved persons who cultivated the land. His older brother took over Little Hunting Creek and renamed it Mount Vernon.

Washington spent most of his early life surveying land and serving in the military. He fought in the French and Indian War as part of the Virginia Regiment. He married Martha Custis, the former wife of a plantation owner, an arrangement that increased his wealth through land and the acquisition of enslaved persons. Washington helped raise two children from Martha’s previous marriage and later help raised his stepson’s children without having biological children of his own.

After leading American forces in the revolution, Washington was elected the first President of the United States with John Adams as his Vice President and Thomas Jefferson becoming the first Secretary of State. President Washington offered the position of Chief Justice of the United States to John Jay. President Washington also signed into law the Judicial Act of 1789 which created the U.S. Supreme Court starting out with six justices on the bench and the position of the U.S. Attorney General, which Governor Edmund Randolph of Virginia would be the first one appointed to the position.

Washington planned on resigning after his first term as President, but he was encouraged to seek re-election. President Washington famously opposed the formation of political parties believing it would undermine the republic. After his two terms, Washington retired back to his estate in Mount Vernon and devoted his time to his business interests. With tensions escalating with France, Washington returned to his military service but war was avoided thanks to diplomacy and the recognition on all sides that war would be disastrous. On December 12, 1799, Washington was late coming home for dinner after inspecting his farms during a snow storm. Washington suffered from a sore throat the next day and felt pressure on his chest toughing it out in the freezing cold to cut trees down. His health deteriorated and died officially on December 14 and was buried in Mount Vernon.

This library was created over two centuries later to preserve the history of George Washington's life and legacy. Researchers can make appointments to view the many documents and other items that detail his life and the early republic. Construction of the library started in 2010 thanks to Fred W. Smith's donation of $38 million, and the library opened three years later.

“The Washington Library,” George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Accessed June 16th 2021. https://www.mountvernon.org/library/.

Solis, Steph. “George Washington presidential library to open Sept. 27,” USA Today September 3rd 2013. Accessed June 16th 2021. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/2510295