George Washington, 1 st President and much more…

1. George Washington, 1st President and much more… Spirit of ’76 by Willard Images from Mt. Vernon came from http://mtvernon.org. It would be great to explore that sight with your parents. Some of the reading my be difficult for you so you will need help.

2. This bust of George Washington is the best likeness of Mr. Washington. It is the same as the likeness on the stamp and on the quarter.

3. George Washington was born on Feb. 22nd 1732. He had three younger sisters, three younger brothers and two older brothers. • His two older brothers were sent to Britain to go to school.

4. When George was my age…. • He didn’t go to school. There were no schools. If you were wealthy enough, you had a tutor who taught you at home. • George began his lessons when he was seven. He learned reading, writing, and basic arithmetic. Later he learned Latin, Greek, geometry, bookkeeping, and surveying.

5. What was school like for George? George practiced his writing by copying the 101 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior. These helped children learn how to act! 1. Every Action done in company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present. 2. When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usually Discovered. 3. Shew Nothing to your Friend that may affright him. 4. In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet.

6. George’s favorite older brother…. • George’s father died when he was just 11. His two older brothers went to Britain to finish school. But after his father’s death there was not enough money for him to study abroad. • Lawrence tutored George and taught him much that he would have learned in Britain. • George often stayed with Lawrence at Mt. Vernon. Lawrence Washington

7. Where did he live? • This is an early picture of Mt. Vernon when his older brother, Lawrence, owned it. When George inherited it he made it a much grander house!

8. George became a surveyor…. In 1748, George Washington learned to survey. He started his own business a year later when he was 17 years old. He was honest and fair; so many people hired him to survey their lands. Here are George Washington’s instruments he used in surveying. The drawings are of Mt. Vernon.

9. He wished he knew more…. • Soon he was county Surveyor. This was an important job. • George always felt his education was not good. He tried to make up for it by always reading and studying on his own. • He had a large library, and he got several newspapers. He became a skilled writer. He believed America needed colleges so that people didn’t need to go to Britain to study. He gave money to colleges when he died.

10. Washington in uniform….1753 • George joined the Virginia militia. Soon Major Washington was fighting battles in the French and Indian War. • He hiked for days through snowy woods. He fell off a raft into the icy Allegheny River and nearly drowned. Washington wrote about the 900-mile journey. It was exciting reading and it made him famous by the time he was 22.. • The British valued him so much that they made him head of the entire Virginia Militia! Lt. Col. Washington escaped injury many times. Four bullets ripped through his coat. Two horses were shot from under him. Militia Uniform

11. George marries Martha….1759 Martha Custis was quite a catch! She was wealthy. She had two children.George and Martha were happy at Mount Vernon. Many friends and relatives visited. Here are two “Miniatures” (paintings) of Martha. Since there were no photos then, people had painters make pictures that they could carry with them like we carry photos.

12. The Joys of Home at last - 1759-1775 After the French and Indian War he wanted to spend time with his new family. Soon he was elected to the House of Burgesses. People trusted him. He was solid, reliable, honest, modest and a man with good sense.

13. Painting of Mt. Vernon during Washington’s time. George Washington lived in this mansion from 1759 Until 1799. How many years was that? Mt. Vernon today

14. Here the Washingtons entertained… The small dining room as it is today! This is the dining room where guests were entertained. That is why it was the most decorated room in the house. The bright green color of the wallpaper in this room was called “vertigris.” It was very popular at the time.

15. Mt. Vernon’s Kitchen was not in the main house. Why? Mr. Washington’s breakfast was 3 hoecakes with butter and honey and 3 cups of tea! Click on Martha’s cake for the recipe

16. Everything had to made on the plantation Most cloth was made on the plantation. Here is the spinning room where wool and linen were woven into cloth. Here are the spinning wheels where Fibers were made into yarns that could be woven.

17. Washington tried to make farming better! • Gardens near the house grew herbs for medicines and seasoning foods. • They also grew flowers to decorate the house. • Washington made wheat and corn his main cash crops.

18. I am a farmer… • That is how President Washington saw himself. • He experimented finding ways to make “agriculture” better. • This 16-sided barn was used to thresh grain. George’s 16-sided Barn!

19. Washington was very fond of horses, but he convinced farmers to use mules instead of horses to do farm labor. Mules were cheaper, more sure footed, and stronger than horses! By the time of the revolution he had 58 mules working on his plantation! Do you know what a mule is? One of Washington’s carriages

20. He gained experience…. • As a British soldier he learned the skills he would need later as commander of the Revolutionary Army. • What tactics did he learn from the Indians? Crossing the Alleghany where he nearly drowned.

21. The war goes badly…..1776 • The British were doing so well that they thought the war would be over in a few months. • Our troops were outnumbered and out-supplied. • The winter was so cold that General Howe set up camp. It was too cold to follow Washington’s retreating army.

22. This was lucky for Washington. His troops escaped. Martha came to his camp to offer encouragement. Soldiers were cold. Many didn’t even have warm coats, boots, or even blankets! Still they prepared for an attack.

23. He never gave up….. George Washington Crossing the Delaware….. This famous painting of Washington showed one of the most important battles for the General. His men surprised the Hessian troops on Christmas Eve and won the battle!

24. The British Surrender at Yorktown • The world was amazed! The rag-tag Americans won! • Colonel Washington resigned his commission again and went home to be a farmer. He could have been crowned king! • This act made him famous around the world as a man of integrity! October 19, 1781

25. Here is Washington at the signing of the Constitution in 1879. It was a long time before the colonist could agree on the rules for their new country! Mr. Washington was able to get people to agree on things.

26. Washington is sworn in….1789 • Washington’s hand was on the Bible and he took the oath of office. • Presidents today still use that Bible in their inauguration ceremonies! • He served 2 terms and retired finally in 1787 to his beloved Mt. Vernon.

27. The General 1798 • Here with his grandchildren and Martha he looks over a map of the new Capital city to be named after him! • Washington, D.C.

28. You can see some of Washington’s things at the Smithsonian! • You can see many things that belonged to Mr. Washington at the Smithsonian. • You can also learn more by visiting Mt. Vernon where his plantation has been restored and works much as it did when he was alive.