‘Mount Vernon to display one of his aprons’

     
One of Bro. George Washington’s Masonic aprons will go on display at Mount Vernon again later this month.

Don’t be fooled into thinking there is only one “Washington’s apron.” There are three I know of: New York Freemasonry possesses one. Pennsylvania has another. And this one coming to Mount Vernon is the Mt. Nebo Apron.

Magpie file photo

Click to enlarge.

The exhibit will run February 14 through 23, all day, and admission is part of the site’s general admission ticket price. From the publicity:


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, 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 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.