Washington College: A Top-Tier Maryland Liberal Arts College

About the Artifacts

In celebration of our founding patron, Washington College has assembled its collection of George Washington images and artifacts. Some of the items in this collection hang on the walls of Miller Library, Hynson-Ringgold House, the Custom House, and Bunting Hall. The College's entire collection—comprising more than 75 items—has been catalogued, and several of the best items were selected for this exhibit.

The artifacts portray Washington from many different perspectives, each depicting his founding spirit. Among the treasures here are a portrait of Washington wrought in needlework and paint, a small bust of Washington made from Confederate money, and a steel engraving of Washington and his troops. That so much Washington memorabilia has been absorbed in the fabric of our campus landscape, and the collective impact of all these items gathered under one roof, gives strong evidence of our indelible link with George Washington.

Washington College was founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, who consented to give his name to the College and who served five years on the Board of Visitors and Governors, before beginning his presidency of the United States. The Washington legacy is kept alive on campus in many ways, including the Washington Scholars Program, the Honor Code, a leadership development program, curricular offerings, and the academic programming emanating from the C. V. Starr Center for the American Experience.

John Scott's Commission as Collector of the Port of Chester, Maryland

The commission authorized Mr. John Scott, a member of the first graduating class of Washington College, to act as the Collector of the Port of Chester(town), Maryland. With the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate, President George Washington signed Mr. Scott's commission on August 4, 1789, in New York City.

John Scott was a medical doctor who graduated from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and offered his medical services in vaccinating 500 soldiers of the Continental Army in Chestertown. After hostilities, he served along with George Washington as one of the first three members of the Board of Visitors and Governors. This truly connects George Washington with the early history of the developing College at Chester.

Printed U.S. Government Document

Date: August 4, 1789
Artist: George Washington (Signature)
Gift of: Dr. Glenn W. Zeiders, Jr. and his family

Peale Portrait of George Washington

Charles Willson Peale painted two versions of this famous portrait: one with Washington at the Battle of Princeton in December, 1776, and the other at the Battle of Trenton in January, 1777. Peale and his brother, James, were present at the Battle of Trenton.

Washington is pictured with his sword leaning against a cannon. A battle flag, probably Hessian, rests partly on the ground while a young soldier holds the reins of a horse, which is gazing at Washington. An early American flag flies in the upper right corner.

From the original painting by Charles Willson Peale between 1779-1781.

Date: unknown
Printer: unknown
Gift of: unknown

George Washington Taking the Salute at Trenton

This lithograph depicts the famous Faed portrait of Washington traveling through Trenton, New Jersey, on his way north in 1775. Local citizens and dignitaries would often admire Washington as he rode through towns on his way to and from Mount Vernon. He would return in late 1776 for the decisive Battle of Trenton.

Date: ca. 1860s
Artist: Printed by William Holl based on the portrait by John Faed
Gift of: unknown

Washington at Home

This piece depicts George and Martha Washington with their grandchildren at home in Mount Vernon. Martha was first married to Daniel Parke Custis who died in 1757. Upon the marriage of George and Martha Washington, the two children were brought to live at Mount Vernon.

Lithograph
Date: 1867
Artist: Engraved by Henry Bryan Hall after a painting by Alonzo Chappel
Gift of: unknown

Confederate Bust of George Washington

A small bust of George Washington purportedly made in the 1860s of 5,000 dollars worth of Confederate currency. The small label on the bust is illegible.

Paper Currency
Date: 1860s
Artist: unknown
Gift of: unknown

Interview of Howe's Messenger with Washington

On July 20, 1776, just prior to the Battle of Long Island, British General William Howe sent a messenger to Washington asking for negotiations to prevent war. Howe did not want to acknowledge the authority of Congress and addressed the letter, "George Washington." It was promptly refused. Later, Washington did meet with Lieutenant Colonel James Patterson at the quarters of Henry Knox near Battery Park. Washington indicated that he lacked all authority to negotiate a truce. And since Howe could only grant pardons, Washington felt this was of little use to Americans who believed they were simply exercising their rights and were not committing any offense needing a pardon.

Artist: Joseph Stancliffe from the painting by M.A. Wageman
Date: ca. 1860
Gift of: unknown

General Washington on the Battlefield at Trenton

After his famed crossing of the ice-filled waters of the Delaware River, Washington ordered the attack of the Hessian garrison in Trenton, New Jersey, on Christmas Day, 1777. The Hessians were caught by surprise, and the Continental Army was able to score one of its few easy victories during the Revolution.

Engraved print
Date: Unknown
Artist: Engraved by W. Warner based on the portrait by John Trumbull
Gift of: Unknown

Porthole Portrait after Gilbert Stuart painting

This is one of the many images, painted, engraved, or in this case embroidered, featuring George Washington. It was done by Lady Ann Herbert at age 16 while in a French convent. Lady Ann Herbert was a distant relative of William M. Paca, Jr. and the needlepoint passed through his family to Washington College in 1984.

Berlin work pattern—Wool on canvas
Artist: Lady Ann Herbert
Date: ca. 1830
Gift of: William M. Paca, Jr. '42 and Helen Paca Blackwell '78, in memory of Dorothy and Florence Winchester Paca. Governor William Paca, an ancestor of the donor, was a guest of honor at the first graduation of Washington College on May 14, 1783. A day later he laid the cornerstone for the first college building.

Engraved Print of Washington

Washington is seen standing in civilian dress near a chair and table with writing materials on it. Washington is also wearing a ceremonial sword, which, although he is pictured in civilian dress, he is known to have worn. This most likely portrays Washington during his term in office as President of the United States.

George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789, on the steps of Federal Hall in Lower Manhattan, New York City.

Steel plate engraved print
Date: Unknown
Artist: Engraved and Published by W.L. Ormsby based on the portrait by Gilbert Stuart
Gift of: Washington College Historical Society, January 1936.

Washington's Last Birthday

On February 22, 1799 on what would be his last Birthday, George and Martha Washington hosted Reverend Davis and Mr. Geo Calvert to dinner. Washington's granddaughter, Miss Nelly Custis and Lawrence Lewis were married by candlelight this same evening. The wedded couple, with Nelly seated, is painted into the far right. The remaining guests, family members on hand for the ceremony, greet the Washingtons in front of the fireplace in the living room at Mount Vernon.

Color print based on oil on canvas
Date of print unknown, date of painting circa 1920
Artist of print unknown, artist of original painting—Jean Leon Gerome Ferris

Lansdowne Portrait after Gilbert Stuart painting

This portrait is one version of Gilbert Stuart's best-known full-length image of Washington. These are known as the "Lansdowne" portraits because this version was the gift of Mrs. William Bingham to William Petty, second Earl of Shelburne and first Marquis of Lansdowne, a British supporter of the American cause during the Revolutionary War. Washington agreed to sit for the portrait in the spring of 1796. (description from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery)

Berlin work pattern—Wool on canvas
Date: unknown
Artist: unknown
Gift of: Class of 1998

Sacred to General George Washington

Original design based on an engraving from 1799. Similar work was done during this period to memorialize other lost loved ones. This is one of many pieces made at this time in memory of George Washington.

Embroidery—silk, paint, paper on silk
Date: 1800-1820
Artist: Mary Graham, daughter of Hamilton and Mary Gaussen Graham of Baltimore. Stitched while Mary was between 10 and 16 years of age.
Gift of: Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson Naylor Kelly; 1973.

Washington Crossing the Delaware

This embroidery piece is based on Emmanuel Leutze's 1851 painting, George Washington Crossing the Delaware. The original piece was not painted in the United States, but in Germany. In the years following the German Revolution of 1848, Leutze and his artist friends set up shop in a Dusseldorf studio, inspired by the spirit of uprising. Though Leutze's intentions had more to do with the spirit of freedom and revolution than any historical reality, the painting has come to symbolize much more to American viewers, who tend to see the piece more as a historical document of the American Revolution than a work of art. (description from National Public Radio's 'Present at the Creation')

Embroidery—silk, wool and metallic threads on silk
Date: Unknown
Artist: Unknown
Gift of: Unknown

Water dipper and chain

This dipper and chain were used at the well which was at one time located at the foot of the hill where Middle, East, and West Halls now stand. It is said that on the occasion of his visit to Washington College in May, 1784, George Washington took a drink from this dipper.

Forged iron
Date: ca. 1784
Craftsperson: unknown
Gift of: unknown

An Account of Washington College in the State of Maryland

This is a copy of a brochure giving a full account of Washington College through mid-1784. It is believed to be a copy of William Smith's An Account of Washington College in the State of Maryland, printed in Philadelphia by Joseph Cruikshank in 1784; however, since the cover and title page are missing, it is difficult to identify precisely. It is at least as old as 1792, which is the date that a former owner, David Kerr, has inscribed on the top of page three. This volume contains, among other things: "An Act for Founding a College at Chester;" a list of the subscriptions for the foundation of the college as delivered to the Maryland General Assembly on November 26, 1782 (with George Washington at the head of the list); copies of the letters of 1782 between William Smith and George Washington; and accounts of the Spring Commencements of 1783 and 1784.

Printed book, paper bound with string
Date: ca. 1792
Author: Rev. William Smith
Gift of: unknown

Washington and His Generals

In 1755, while serving as an aide to British General Edward Braddock during the French and Indian War, George Washington began his military education by copying many of Braddock's General Orders. During the Revolutionary War, Washington issued many General Orders, including the one that launched his Continental Army, reminding his men that they "are now Troops of the United Provinces of North America" and adding the hope that "all Distinctions of Colonies will be laid aside; so that one and the same Spirit may animate the whole...." (Description from the Smithsonian Exhibit 'George Washington: A National Treasure')

Date: unknown
Artist: Published by Emile Seitz and Engraved by A.H. Ritchie
Gift of: Presented by the Washington College Historical Society in 1935.

Gilbert Stuart Portrait of George Washington

Winifred Gordon painted this piece in 1944 based on the original portrait by Gilbert Stuart. Throughout the world, many envision Washington based on how he appears in Gilbert Stuart's paintings. Throughout his career, Stuart painted several famous portraits of the President. Stuart's other major works include portraits of Benjamin West, William Woolett, John Hall, John Philip Kemble, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and W. Grant of Congalton. (Description from The Dictionary of National Biography)

Date: 1944
Artist: Winifred Gordon based on Stuart portrait
Gift of: Unknown

Bust of George Washington

The image of George Washington has long been a powerful national symbol. Depictions of the founding father range from the highly realistic to very idealistic, yet from Gilbert Stuart's `Atheneum' portrait to Charles Willson Peale's work, to Houdon's bust and statue, there seems to be an underlying theme. David Meschutt, curator of art at the West Point Museum, observed, "These great varieties of representation, for all their differences, have much in common—a sense of dignity, of seriousness, even melancholy; and all of Washington's life portraits reflect their creators' consciousness of the man as a hero." (Description from The Museum at Stony Brook's Exhibit, 'George Washington: American Symbol')

Date: unknown
Artist: unknown
Gift of: unknown

Calligraphic Reproduction of Washington's Farewell Address

This piece is a calligraphic reproduction, in miniature handwriting, of Washington's Farewell Address. The piece is believed to have been made in Washington, D.C., between the years of 1855-1859. This piece was presented to Washington College on July 10, 1936 by Mr. William S. Walker, Jr., of Ottawa, Illinois. Mr. Walker was a grandson of Judge Ricaud, to whom this item belonged. Walker believed that the piece was done in Washington during the time that Judge Ricaud was a Representative in Congress (1855-1859). Ricaud graduated from Washington College in 1828.

Date: 1855-1859
Artist: unknown
Gift of: Mr. William S. Walker, Jr., of Ottawa, Illinois, grandson of Judge Ricaud, an 1828 alumnus of Washington College.