Bathing Gown

Washington Family Life

This bathing gown is a rare example of the survival of a complete garment worn by Martha Washington. The gown, made of blue and white linen with lead weights sown into the hem for modesty, was probably worn by Martha on a 1769 trip to the mineral waters in Berkeley Springs, Virginia. The trip was primarily for the benefit of Martha’s daughter Patsy; it was hoped the waters would help cure her epilepsy (image courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association).

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