This is one of the rooms General Washington added. It was designed for his study, as shown by the old book shelves built in the wall. Back of opposite doors were shelf rooms for his maps and manuscripts. The bulk of Washington’s library he bequeathed to Judge Bushrod Washington, from whose nephews the books were purchased by a syndicate (1848) and deposited in the Boston AthenÆum, where they still are. Some scattered volumes recovered by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association include several bearing the genuine signature of George Washington. The names of his mother and members of his family appear upon others. An ancient Bible presented to Washington by the Bishop of Sodor and Man, together with twenty volumes of French History of Travel, sent him by Rochambeau, besides many duplicates of Washington’s books, give interesting character to the present collection. Mrs. Washington’s Prayer Book, and a Family Bible with record of George Washington’s birth and baptism, have lately been acquired.

The “tambour desk” and chair, which Washington used in this room, and left by his will to Dr. Craik, were purchased and restored to Mount Vernon in 1905.

An original mahogany bookcase and a globe are valued relics. The pictures, tambour desk and articles of old-fashioned furniture have been assembled by the Vice-Regent for Massachusetts.

A map of Mount Vernon, and of one of Washington’s plantations, carefully platted by himself, are to be seen here, likewise “rubbings” of brasses on tombs of the Washingtons in England.