Browse Items (38 total)
Eliza Smith, The Compleat Housewife
Originally published in London in 1727, Eliza Smith’s The Compleat Housewife was published in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1742. It is considered to be the first cookbook published in America. In addition to recipes, the work also contains…
Needle book
This needle book was presumably one of the items bought by Martha Parke Custis Peter at the auction specified in Martha Washington’s will. There is a note sewn to it that reads, 'Mrs. Martha Washington' (image courtesy of Tudor Place…
Edward Savage, The Washington Family, engraving after the original, c. 1789-1790
Edward Savage’s iconic portrait of the Washington Family was originally painted c. 1789-1790. George Washington purchased two engravings of the painting to display at Mount Vernon (one of which is pictured here). It portrays George and Martha…
Nelly Custis's Harpsichord
George Washington ordered this expensive English harpsichord in 1793 for Nelly Custis, his step-granddaughter. It came to Mount Vernon in 1797 when the Washingtons returned home after the Presidency. Nelly’s harpsichord performances were an…
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