The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association Regent is essentially the chairwoman of the board. Each woman is action-oriented and works to share the life and legacies of George Washington.
Ann Pamela Cunningham
founder and First Regent 1853-1874
Ann Pamela Cunningham made it her mission to preserve Mount Vernon after her mother wrote a letter regarding the poor condition of the Mansion. Her establishment of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association put into motion America's historic-preservation movement.
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Lily Lytle Macalester
regent 1874-1891
Lily Lytle Macalester started as the Vice Regent for Pennsylvania and was later chosen to succeed Ann Pamela Cunningham. She would frequently attend auctions in order to purchase pieces to be featured at Mount Vernon.
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Justine Townsend
Regent 1891-1909
During her time as Regent, Justine Townsend funded and oversaw projects such as the dining room's ceiling restoration. When the Mount Vernon Railway was opened, the estate began to receive an increasing number of tourists.
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Harriet Clayton Comegys
Regent 1909-1927
Harriet Clayton Comegys was responsible for the publishing of George Washington's diaries, removing the relic display cases from the Mansion, and securing the services of the estate's horticulturalist.
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Alice Richards
Regent 1927-1936
During the bicentennial celebration and from the increased visitation by automobile, Alice Haliburton King saw a large increase in visitors to Mount Vernon. She also maintained the infrastructure of the house and opened the lower garden to the public.
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Harriet Elizabeth Towner
regent 1937-1942
During the year she became Regent, Harriet Elizabeth Cole, released her book The Mount Vernon Library. She also welcomed many famous visitors to Mount Vernon during World War II.
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Mary Esther Hanks
Regent 1943-1948
Due to World War II, many of Mount Vernon's male employees left to enlist. This, however, allowed women to fill many roles at the estate they had never held. Despite the hardships of the war, Mary Esther Vilas was able to bring many Washington artifacts back to Mount Vernon.
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Hope Powel
regent 1948-1958
Hope Knight Hodgman oversaw the reconstruction of the greenhouse and slave-quarters complex, which incorporates bricks from the White House. With a growing number of school groups touring the Mansion, there was also a shift of focus towards educating children.
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Rosamond Beirne
regent 1958-1968
Before becoming regent, Rosamond Harding Randall was actively involved in creating scholarships and preserving the view of the Potomac River shore. She also authored two books on Maryland history and architecture.
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Elizabeth Cooke
regent 1968-1976
Elizabeth Throckmorton was an artist, poet, playwright, gardener, and political activist- but she is best remembered for being a preservationist. The highlight of her tenure was when she accepted the French government's bicentennial tribute to the United States.
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Frances Guy
regent 1976-1982
Frances Archer Claiborne was able to oversee many projects during her tenure, including the kickoff of a capital campaign and the investigation of the Mansion's interior paint color. The Association also constructed a new memorial at the slave cemetery.
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Helen Louise Anderson
regent 1982-1986
Helen Louise Sharp oversaw the restoration of historic paint colors in the Mansion, the archaeological study of Mount Vernon, and the installation of a new lighting system. After raising over $11 million through the capital campaign, Mount Vernon welcomed many upgrades.
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Eugenia Seamans
regent 1986-1990
Eugenia Ayer Merrill was given the honor of hand-delivering the historic key to the Bastille to France to briefly be on display before returning it to the Mansion. She also welcomed King Hussein of Jordan to Mount Vernon.
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Mabel Bishop
regent 1990-1993
Mabel Alleyne Livingstone was the first woman from the West Coast to serve as Regent. She raised funds in order to restore Mount Vernon's historic wharf, which was dedicated by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
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Laura Morrissette
Regent 1993-1996
Laura Vaughan Inge completed two major projects that enhanced the Association’s ability to educate visitors about horticultural activities at the estate.
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Jane Carew Lee
Regent 1996-1999
Jane Carew Cotton was perhaps best known for her leadership in the early stages of the To Keep Him First campaign, an ambitious initiative originated to raise funds to educate Mount Vernon’s visitors.
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Ellen Walton
Regent 1999-2004
Ellen M. Carroll oversaw fund-raising activities for new facilities and the reopening of George Washington’s gristmill.
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Jacqueline Gay Gaines
Regent 2004-2007
Jacqueline Gay Hart initiated a strategic planning process aimed at providing direction for the Association over the succeeding 15 years.
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Boyce Lineberger Ansley
Regent 2007-2010
In the midst of a severe recession, Boyce Lineberger Ansley oversaw several important preservation projects as well as the beginnings of a capital campaign for the establishment of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon.
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Notable Past Vice Regents
Explore the inspiring stories of notable former board members who truly made a difference in the history of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association.
The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
Learn more about the Association that has worked since 1853 to preserve George Washington's home.
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