Mondays, July 13, 20, 27 August 3, 10, 17
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, this course examines the indispensable founder, George Washington. The course explores Washington’s life and political leadership as well as his work as a farmer, entrepreneur, and architect. The course also reviews the groundbreaking work of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association (MVLA) which has owned and managed George Washington’s Mount Vernon since 1858. In that year, an intrepid group of women (who had no right to vote or own property) came together to save George Washington’s home, after both the Federal Government and Commonwealth of Virginia had refused to help. MVLA formation marked the birth of the historic preservation movement.

Anne “Dede” Neal Petri is the 24th Regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, the organization responsible for preserving George Washington’s Mount Vernon. She holds degrees from Harvard College and Harvard Law School.