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Historic Groundbreaking at George Washington’s Home – New $47M Presidential Library

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, Museum & Gardens broke ground on the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington on April 14. Located just west of Mount Vernon Estate, the 45,000 square foot facility is slated to open in 2013. Pictured are Vice Regent Boyce Ansley, Regent Ann Bookout, Chairman of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation Fred W. Smith, Vice Regent Gay Hart Gaines, Vice Regent Claire Edwards and Mount Vernon President James Rees. (PRNewsFoto/Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, Rodney Choice)
MOUNT VERNON, Va., USA /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Historic Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, today broke ground on the new Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington with a ceremony featuring remarks by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, an appearance by “George Washington,” and a wide range of patriotic music.  
 

For the first time ever, Mount Vernon‘s vast collection of George Washington‘s books, manuscripts and archival materials will be organized, conserved and made available in the National Library.  In addition to safeguarding Washington’s books and manuscripts, the 45,000 square foot National Library will serve as a scholarly retreat, create educational outreach programs on Washington, and provide seminars and training programs with a special focus on Washington’s leadership. Destined to be a George Washington “think tank,” the $47 million National Library is expected to be completed in 2013. 

“We expect to create the world’s intellectual headquarters for everything to do with George Washington,” said Mount Vernon‘s president, James Rees. “By encouraging new research, aggressively reaching out to families across the nation, and hosting conferences that stress Washington’s leadership as the gold standard, we hope to touch the hearts and minds of each new generation.”

The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington will be located on a 15 acre site within walking distance of Washington’s home.  It will house more than 15,000 items including 2,500 rare 18th and 19th century books, 87 books that were owned by Washington, and 500 letters, ledgers, and account books that bear George Washington‘s writing or signature. A modest residence for visiting scholars, authors and interns will be constructed next to the National Library.

The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, which purchased the estate from the Washington family in 1858, is unusual in that it receives no funds from the local, state, or federal governments. Although plans for the National Library have been in the works for years, the project is now able to move forward thanks to a $38 million gift from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation which was presented last year.  The Foundation’s gift is the largest in Mount Vernon‘s history, which ranks as the oldest and most visited national preservation project in America.  

“We are pleased to be assisting the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association in building this important project to facilitate research, outreach, and the dissemination of knowledge about George Washington,” stated Fred W. Smith, Chairman of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. “I very much appreciate the tribute that my fellow Trustees and the Ladies’ Association have bestowed upon me in naming the new library in my honor.”


The groundbreaking marks a significant milestone in The Campaign for the Library, an effort organized by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association to support the operation, maintenance of the structure, programs and new staff positions. Other leadership donors to the Campaign for the Library are Mr. and Mrs. Richard DeVos and Mr. and Mrs. John Mars. To date, approximately $70 million has been raised towards the campaign’s $100 million goal.

The Donald W Reynolds Foundation is a national philanthropic organization founded by the late media entrepreneur for whom it was named. Reynolds was the founder and principal owner of the Donrey Media Group. When he died in 1993, the company included over 70 businesses, the majority of which were in the communications/media field. Headquartered in Las Vegas, the Reynolds Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the United States. For more information visit online at www.dwreynolds.org.
Judith Rubin
Judith Rubin
Judith Rubin ([email protected]) is a leading journalist, content marketing specialist and connector in the international attractions industry. She reports on design and technical design, production and project management, industry trends and company culture. From 2005-2020 she ran communications and publications for the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). In 2013, she was honored with the TEA Service Award. She was development director of IMERSA and publicist for the Large Format Cinema Association, and has contributed to the publications of PLASA, IAAPA and the International Planetarium Society. Judith joined World’s Fair magazine in 1987, which introduced her to the attractions industry. She joined InPark in 2010. Judith earned a BFA from Pratt Institute. She has lived in Detroit, New York, Oakland, and now Saint Louis, where she is active in the local arts community.

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