Eagle Feathers #263 – Mount Vernon

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Mount Vernon is an American landmark and the former estate of George Washington. The old mansion is situated on a picturesque plateau located 200 feet above and overlooking the Potomac River in Virginia. The remains of our Revolutionary War Commander and first President of the United States and his wife Martha lie in a brick tomb on these hallowed grounds.

The original house was built in 1734 in a palisade style by his father and later expanded twice by George. Washington’s older brother Lawrence, a soldier, politician, and large land owner named the family estate Mount Vernon. It was named after colonial British Admiral Edward Vernon whom he admired while serving under him when fighting against the Spanish. Besides being a battle-hardened sailor, the Admiral introduced into the Navy the practice of serving rum mixed with water instead of straight rum. The mixture became known as grog.

Before the Paul Revere Apartments were built at the crest of Somerville’s Winter Hill, there were some very impressive mansions.

One of them was the Oden Estate which was the residence of the Honorable Edward Everett while he was a member of Congress. He was also the namesake of Everett, Massachusetts. Everett’s home was on the path of Paul Revere’s ride, and his speech at Lexington brought the famous ride to light. He died in the last year of the Civil War after being a brilliant clergyman, a Massachusetts Congressman, Senator and Governor. This just scratched the surface of his career. He also served as a United States Ambassador to England, President of Harvard College and United States Secretary of State.

Everett loved what George Washington did for our country and showed it. After a plea from the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association near the twilight of his life, he volunteered for an All-American pilgrimage across the country. When informed of the deterioration of Washington’s home at Mount Vernon, he acted at his own expense. He traveled the country for over five years, giving 129 speeches and raising $70,000 for the cause which helped save Mount Vernon.

The estate was neutral ground during the Civil War. Arms and uniforms were forbidden and only civilian clothes were allowed. Presently, over one million tourists travel there annually making it one of America’s most visited public dwellings.

 Today, Somerville and its citizens honor Washington in many ways.

• Prospect Hill Park
• Prospect Hill Monument honoring his flag raising
• George Street
• Washington Street connecting Boston to Cambridge.
• Washington Avenue, Washington Terrace and Washington Place are all located off of Washington Street
• Mount Vernon Street from 22 Broadway to 17 Washington Street
• Mount Vernon Avenue
• Prospect Street from 238 Washington Street to the Cambridge line
• Prospect Place from 406 McGrath Highway to 43 Prospect Street
• Prospect Hill Avenue
• Since 1935, one of the oldest restaurants in the city has been the Mount Vernon which is a private salute to George Washington.

Looking down from Winter Hill, Edward Everett would be proud.