Back in the early 20th century no high school education was complete without a senior class trip to George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, Va.
Those pilgrimages are documented in the Monmouth County Historical Association’s archives with photographs from the 1920s of Freehold High School senior classes posed on the lawn at Mount Vernon.
On a recent trip to that historic site to celebrate the opening of their new exhibition, “George Washington and His Generals,” we were very impressed by their efforts to honor the father of our country and to celebrate his life and values.
As an institution, Mount Vernon seeks to educate not only the one million plus visitors who pass through their gates each year, but also school children throughout the country who are unable to visit. We applaud that mission and would like to encourage Monmouth County’s education community to get involved.
Through a generous outreach program, Mount Vernon is seeking to place a portrait of George Washington in every school in the United States.
Any school principal can request a portrait by writing to Ann Bay, Associate Director of Education, Mount Vernon, P.O. Box 110, Mount Vernon, Va. 22121 and letting her know that it will be placed in a prominent location.
Right now only nine schools in Monmouth County have taken advantage of this program. Let’s bring the image of George Washington into our schools and let’s also build and strengthen our history curriculum.
Judith Stanley Coleman
President
Lee Ellen Griffith
Director
Monmouth County Historical Association
Freehold Borough