Mary Washington: George’s Much Maligned Mother

Presented by the Washington Heritage Museums. Not long after George Washington turned eleven, his father passed, leaving his mother, now a widow, the daunting task of raising her five young children alone. Popular twentieth-century narratives argue that Mary Washington was a clumsy, self-involved parent – an obstacle whose questionable decisions George transcended. George and his mother navigated the challenges presented by primogeniture and English common law, which determined their respective choices, influenced their decisions, and which at times may have strained their relationship with one another. Focusing on Mary, this presentation considers her struggles and consequential actions, while also acknowledging the family’s trials and celebrating their accomplishments.