American Women! exhibit--Martha Washington

At the age of 18, Martha Dandridge became the bride of Daniel Parke Custis, a wealthy planter with an estate called "White House." They had four children, two of whom died in early childhood.

With the death of Daniel Custis, Martha became the most eligible widow in Virginia Colony at the age of 26, and she soon caught the eye of Colonel George Washington. After two years of courtship, they married in 1759. When her husband accepted the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolution, Martha provided moral support to her husband and joined him in his winter camps.

With her husband's election as the first President of the United States, Martha was called on to serve as the new nation's hostess. She took on the role of "first lady" with grace and style, but was quite pleased to return to Mount Vernon in 1797.

MOURNING VEIL worn by Martha after the death of George Washington
SPECTACLES of Martha Washington
FAN used by Martha
-- On loan from Evan Lattimer, Kansas City MO

CUP and SAUCER, reproduction of the Washington presidential china.
-- From the Museum Shop in the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum, West Branch IA

Continue the virtual tour of the entire exhibit or choose a time period from the exhibit:
	From Colony to Country, 1600-1800	From Jazz to War, 1920-1950
	From Growth to Civil War, 1800-1870	From Fifties to Feminism, 1950-1990
	From Prairie to Polls, 1870-1920	Into the 21st Century, 1990 onward

View an alphabetical list of all 106 women included in American Women! with links to photos and biographies for selected women
View a Thank You to over 100 lenders to Ameican Women!
Return to American Women! index page
Return to Hoover Library-Museum virtual exhibits page
Return to Hoover Library-Museum main index page