Against all odds and over 165 years ago, Ann Pamela Cunningham of Waterloo, SC, started the association that saved Mount Vernon, home of the first United States President George Washington. Thursday, August 15, at 2:00 pm, the Laurens County Museum and the Rosemont Preservation Society will celebrate her 208th birthday and the opening of phase one of the “Rosemont to Mount Vernon” Exhibit at the Laurens County Museum, 116 South Public Square, Laurens, SC. Refreshments will be served. The celebration is free and open to the public.
The Mount Vernon Ladies Association began raising funds to purchase the dilapidated mansion on the banks of the Potomac River in 1852 at their first meeting in Cross Hill, SC, at Liberty Springs Presbyterian Church. The exorbitant (at the time) price for purchase was $200,000. In addition, Washington’s nephew, John Washington, owned Mount Vernon at the time and did not want to sell to an association of women! The ladies who were led by Ann Pamela Cunningham, persisted with much hard work, exceptional organization and persuasion skills, eventually succeeded in purchasing Mount Vernon in 1859. The restoration work began immediately, and because of Ann Pamela’s vision, Mount Vernon is the national treasure we know today.
The mansion is still owned by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association. The grounds of Rosemont Plantation in Waterloo are now owned by the Rosemont Preservation Society. The Society is working to preserve the gardens and land of the First Lady of preservation in the United States, Ann Pamela Cunningham.
Come to the Laurens County Museum on August 15 to enjoy period music, birthday refreshments, and learn more about this fascinating daughter of Laurens County. For more information, call (864) 681-3678, or visit Facebook or LaurensCountyMuseum.org. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.