The Fred W. Smith National library for the Study of George Washington opened on September 27. The $47 million library in Mount Vernon is dedicated to the study of America’s first president. Ann Bookout, chairman of the board of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, which has maintained George Washington’s home since 1853, said: “I really believe that George Washington is the indispensable man, without whom this nation would not have been created. He led us to our freedom, gave up power, and came home to his beloved Mount Vernon.” Part of the library’s mission is separating fact from fiction about Washington — he did not cut down a cherry tree, nor did he throw a silver dollar across the Potomac River. The crown jewel of the library collection is Washington’s Acts of Congress, which was purchased at auction last year for $9.8 million, and includes the just-ratified U.S. Constitution. Read more here.
Laura
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