‘Washington’s apron at Mt. Vernon’

     
In commemoration of George Washington’s birth in 1732, one of his Masonic aprons is on exhibit through Monday at Mount Vernon. It is the Mt. Nebo Lodge apron, which you can read about here, but click here for tickets. The apron exhibit is part of the tour. From the publicity:

I shot this photo the one time I saw the Mt. Nebo apron,
which was at ICHF 2011 in Virginia.

This Masonic apron was made in France and is believed to have been presented to George Washington at Mount Vernon in 1784 by the Marquis de Lafayette, a former general and close friend of Washington’s, who was also a Freemason. The apron features Masonic symbols, such as compasses and a square, together with the crossed flags of the United States and France, all exquisitely embroidered in silk and gold- and silver-wrapped threads with metallic sequins.

On view in the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center, Washington would have worn this apron when attending Masonic meetings. Thanks to a loan from the Brethren of Mt. Nebo Lodge No. 91 of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, Mount Vernon has been able to display this special object on the national observance of George Washington’s birthday since 2011.

The apron can be seen Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway in Mount Vernon, Virginia.