![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Intro-collage.jpg?resize=650%2C366&ssl=1\")
<\/strong><\/p>\nEntrance to the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center (left) and Rare Books room of the George Washington Presidential Library (right)<\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
On July 18, 2025, thanks to a connection from an SCRC Project Archivist, we had the opportunity to visit another one of our Northern Virginia archives neighbors by spending a day at George Washington\u2019s Mount Vernon<\/a>. We started our day with a guided tour of The George Washington Presidential Library<\/a>, the centerpiece of which was visiting the closed stacks and being treated to a curated display of items from the collection.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Rare-Books-collage.jpg?resize=650%2C345&ssl=1\")
<\/strong><\/p>\nThe beautiful decor of the library extends into the closed stacks area, the first room of which displays the rare books collection, as well as a centerpiece portrait of George Washington himself.<\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Rare-books-and-display.jpg?resize=650%2C325&ssl=1\")
<\/strong><\/p>\nDetail of one of the rare books shelves (left) and overview of some of the display items (right)<\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
Next, we headed into the room which houses the library\u2019s manuscript collections and were treated to a specially curated display of items.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tour-display-1.jpg?resize=650%2C325&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
A glimpse of the curated display in the center of the manuscripts room (note archival boxes along the walls!)<\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Selected-items-collage.jpg?resize=650%2C243&ssl=1\")
<\/strong><\/p>\nBound manuscript music belonging to Eleanor Parke Custis, 1797 (left) and American Revolutionary War map (right)<\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
“It was neat to learn about donor relations, obtaining original artifacts, and funding. I also really liked their reading room and how the Founding Fathers were looking down at the researchers.”<\/strong> – Shawna, SCRC Oral History Project Archivist<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/photo_4_2026-01-14_09-15-49.jpg?resize=550%2C413&ssl=1\")
<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Gleaner<\/em> from George Washington\u2019s personal collection featuring his signature on the title page<\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/photo_9_2026-01-14_09-14-19.jpg?resize=550%2C337&ssl=1\")
<\/strong><\/p>\nAnd of course, no Mount Vernon visit would be complete without a glimpse at the map from the 2004 film National Treasure<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
Unsurprisingly for a group of archivists, we were perhaps most excited by the giant map cases!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/photo_14_2026-01-14_09-15-49.jpg?resize=413%2C550&ssl=1\")
<\/strong><\/p>\nOur tour leader, Caroline Sharpe, displays the library\u2019s amazing map cases<\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
Beyond this room was a special treat. Hidden behind a truly dramatic rounded opening is one final room where the library is working to physically recreate George Washington\u2019s personal library collection.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/photo_16_2026-01-14_09-15-49.jpg?resize=413%2C550&ssl=1\")
<\/strong><\/p>\nView into the recreation of George Washington\u2019s personal library<\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
“I absolutely loved learning about the library’s recreation of George Washington’s personal library and having the opportunity to browse through the books in that amazing space.”<\/strong> – Meghan, SCRC Processing Manager<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Personal-library-details.jpg?resize=650%2C361&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
Details from inside the rounded personal library room<\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Don-Quixote-books.jpg?resize=650%2C409&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
Interestingly, George Washington\u2019s personal library included two different full sets of Miguel de Cervantes\u2019 Don Quixote<\/em>, one in Spanish (left) and one in English (right)<\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
“My favorite thing was learning more about the man himself, specifically that he enjoyed oyster and garlic flavored ice cream!”<\/strong> – Amanda, SCRC Manuscripts & Archives Librarian<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GW-sealbookplate-scaled.jpeg?resize=413%2C550&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
Centered in the rounded room\u2019s doorway is a large recreation of George Washington\u2019s personal bookplate<\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
We concluded our amazing library tour in the bright and open reading room, where we posed for a group photo, but the day wasn\u2019t over yet!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/processed-7B858FD6-0409-4DFF-9714-7E7BC2138840.jpeg?resize=550%2C550&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
SCRC and Mason Library staff and students in the Presidential Library reading room<\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
After a wonderful lunch at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant, we had the opportunity to continue our visit with a tour of the Mount Vernon Estate, Grounds, and Museum!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Estate-conservation.jpg?resize=650%2C405&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
The Estate was still undergoing extensive renovations ahead of the 250th anniversary celebration, providing an exciting behind the scenes glimpse into the conservation process!<\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
“It was helpful to see another archival space, talk to our colleagues at Mount Vernon, and hear about challenges and successes of their work. The house tour was amazing and really informative on George and Martha Washington. I deeply appreciate our team being able to spend some time here, and at other repositories!”<\/strong>\u00a0 – Lynn, SCRC Director<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Estate-conservation-2.jpg?resize=650%2C343&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
A more detailed glimpse into the layers of history hiding under the floors from the museum (left), a glimpse of the work being done outside of the estate (top right), and the estate\u2019s amazing back view of the Potomac River (bottom right)<\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
“I really enjoyed this experience and especially appreciated all the work Mount Vernon has done to help people understand the lives of the enslaved and share their individual stories. It\u2019s so important, and I\u2019m really glad to see them focusing on this aspect.”<\/strong> – Mieko, SCRC Research Services Librarian<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/original-9CF24F96-8438-4711-B246-F97C914F1537.jpeg?resize=413%2C550&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
A few of us had to pose for the official Mount Vernon 250 photo-op before leaving!<\/strong><\/h6>\n <\/p>\n
Everyone at SCRC extends another huge thank you to everyone at George Washington\u2019s Mount Vernon, especially the Presidential Library\u2019s staff, for being so welcoming and putting together an absolutely amazing visit! Stay tuned for more highlights from these exciting visits as we continue to strengthen our connections with our \u201cArchives Neighbors\u201d.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Follow SCRC on Social Media and look out for future posts on our\u00a0Facebook<\/a><\/span><\/span>, Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/span>, and Bluesky<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0accounts. To search the collections\u00a0held at Special Collections Research Center, go to our\u00a0website<\/a><\/span><\/span> and browse the finding aids by subject or title. You may also e-mail\u00a0us at\u00a0speccoll@gmu.edu<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0or call 703-993-2220 if you would like to schedule an appointment, request materials, or if you have questions.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) is excited to present another entry in our Archives Neighbors blog series. SCRC has recently had the opportunity to visit with some of our neighbor archives in the Northern Virginia-D.C. Metro area. In this series, we\u2019re recapping these new connections with members of our local archival community, providing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101024,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[922,5,121,339],"tags":[455,421,190,139],"class_list":["post-11750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-archives-neighbors","category-scrc-interest","category-scrc-picks","category-virginia-2","tag-archives","tag-history","tag-northern-virginia","tag-virginia"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8Ep5i-33w","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11470,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=11470","url_meta":{"origin":11750,"position":0},"title":"Archives Neighbors: Visits from Thomas Balch Library & Virginia Room","author":"Meghan Glasbrenner","date":"June 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) is excited to present another entry in our Archives Neighbors blog series. SCRC has recently had the opportunity to visit with some of our neighbor archives in the Northern Virginia-D.C. Metro area. In this series we're recapping these new connections with members of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Archives Neighbors"","block_context":{"text":"Archives Neighbors","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=922"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8799-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8799-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8799-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8799-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8799-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8799-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11645,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=11645","url_meta":{"origin":11750,"position":1},"title":"Archives Neighbors: Thomas Balch Library","author":"Meghan Glasbrenner","date":"October 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) is excited to present another entry in our Archives Neighbors blog series. SCRC has recently had the opportunity to visit with some of our neighbor archives in the Northern Virginia-D.C. Metro area. In this series we\u2019re recapping these new connections with members of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Archives Neighbors"","block_context":{"text":"Archives Neighbors","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=922"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Collage-8.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Collage-8.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Collage-8.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Collage-8.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Collage-8.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11344,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=11344","url_meta":{"origin":11750,"position":2},"title":"Archives Neighbors: Smithsonian Archives Center","author":"Meghan Glasbrenner","date":"April 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) recently had the opportunity to visit with some of our neighbor archives in the Northern Virginia-D.C. Metro area. In this new blog series, we'll be recapping these new connections with members our local archival community, providing insights into the lessons we learned, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Archives Neighbors"","block_context":{"text":"Archives Neighbors","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=922"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/photo_2025-04-16_10-40-46.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/photo_2025-04-16_10-40-46.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/photo_2025-04-16_10-40-46.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/photo_2025-04-16_10-40-46.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11609,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=11609","url_meta":{"origin":11750,"position":3},"title":"Archives Neighbors: Folger Shakespeare Library","author":"Meghan Glasbrenner","date":"August 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) is excited to present another entry in our Archives Neighbors blog series. SCRC has recently had the opportunity to visit with some of our neighbor archives in the Northern Virginia-D.C. Metro area. 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For just $12 you can support two great causes and organize your upcoming year with an intriguing 2021 wall calendar. \u201cAn Archives for All Seasons\u201d features images that highlight Virginia\u2019s rich historical and cultural traditions from\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/calendar-cover.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/calendar-cover.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/calendar-cover.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/calendar-cover.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/calendar-cover.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6836,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=6836","url_meta":{"origin":11750,"position":5},"title":"Virginia Archives Month – REMIX Contest!","author":"Amanda Menjivar","date":"September 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 \u00a0 Every October is Virginia Archives Month, and here at SCRC we are celebrating with this year's theme - Spirits in the Archives! 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<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Next, we headed into the room which houses the library\u2019s manuscript collections and were treated to a specially curated display of items.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n “It was neat to learn about donor relations, obtaining original artifacts, and funding. I also really liked their reading room and how the Founding Fathers were looking down at the researchers.”<\/strong> – Shawna, SCRC Oral History Project Archivist<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Unsurprisingly for a group of archivists, we were perhaps most excited by the giant map cases!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beyond this room was a special treat. Hidden behind a truly dramatic rounded opening is one final room where the library is working to physically recreate George Washington\u2019s personal library collection.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n “I absolutely loved learning about the library’s recreation of George Washington’s personal library and having the opportunity to browse through the books in that amazing space.”<\/strong> – Meghan, SCRC Processing Manager<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n “My favorite thing was learning more about the man himself, specifically that he enjoyed oyster and garlic flavored ice cream!”<\/strong> – Amanda, SCRC Manuscripts & Archives Librarian<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n We concluded our amazing library tour in the bright and open reading room, where we posed for a group photo, but the day wasn\u2019t over yet!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n After a wonderful lunch at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant, we had the opportunity to continue our visit with a tour of the Mount Vernon Estate, Grounds, and Museum!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n “It was helpful to see another archival space, talk to our colleagues at Mount Vernon, and hear about challenges and successes of their work. The house tour was amazing and really informative on George and Martha Washington. I deeply appreciate our team being able to spend some time here, and at other repositories!”<\/strong>\u00a0 – Lynn, SCRC Director<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n “I really enjoyed this experience and especially appreciated all the work Mount Vernon has done to help people understand the lives of the enslaved and share their individual stories. It\u2019s so important, and I\u2019m really glad to see them focusing on this aspect.”<\/strong> – Mieko, SCRC Research Services Librarian<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everyone at SCRC extends another huge thank you to everyone at George Washington\u2019s Mount Vernon, especially the Presidential Library\u2019s staff, for being so welcoming and putting together an absolutely amazing visit! Stay tuned for more highlights from these exciting visits as we continue to strengthen our connections with our \u201cArchives Neighbors\u201d.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Follow SCRC on Social Media and look out for future posts on our\u00a0Facebook<\/a><\/span><\/span>, Instagram<\/a><\/span><\/span>, and Bluesky<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0accounts. To search the collections\u00a0held at Special Collections Research Center, go to our\u00a0website<\/a><\/span><\/span> and browse the finding aids by subject or title. You may also e-mail\u00a0us at\u00a0speccoll@gmu.edu<\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0or call 703-993-2220 if you would like to schedule an appointment, request materials, or if you have questions.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) is excited to present another entry in our Archives Neighbors blog series. SCRC has recently had the opportunity to visit with some of our neighbor archives in the Northern Virginia-D.C. Metro area. In this series, we\u2019re recapping these new connections with members of our local archival community, providing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101024,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[922,5,121,339],"tags":[455,421,190,139],"class_list":["post-11750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-archives-neighbors","category-scrc-interest","category-scrc-picks","category-virginia-2","tag-archives","tag-history","tag-northern-virginia","tag-virginia"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8Ep5i-33w","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11470,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=11470","url_meta":{"origin":11750,"position":0},"title":"Archives Neighbors: Visits from Thomas Balch Library & Virginia Room","author":"Meghan Glasbrenner","date":"June 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) is excited to present another entry in our Archives Neighbors blog series. SCRC has recently had the opportunity to visit with some of our neighbor archives in the Northern Virginia-D.C. Metro area. In this series we're recapping these new connections with members of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Archives Neighbors"","block_context":{"text":"Archives Neighbors","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=922"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8799-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8799-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8799-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8799-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8799-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_8799-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11645,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=11645","url_meta":{"origin":11750,"position":1},"title":"Archives Neighbors: Thomas Balch Library","author":"Meghan Glasbrenner","date":"October 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) is excited to present another entry in our Archives Neighbors blog series. SCRC has recently had the opportunity to visit with some of our neighbor archives in the Northern Virginia-D.C. Metro area. In this series we\u2019re recapping these new connections with members of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Archives Neighbors"","block_context":{"text":"Archives Neighbors","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=922"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Collage-8.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Collage-8.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Collage-8.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Collage-8.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Collage-8.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11344,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=11344","url_meta":{"origin":11750,"position":2},"title":"Archives Neighbors: Smithsonian Archives Center","author":"Meghan Glasbrenner","date":"April 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) recently had the opportunity to visit with some of our neighbor archives in the Northern Virginia-D.C. Metro area. In this new blog series, we'll be recapping these new connections with members our local archival community, providing insights into the lessons we learned, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Archives Neighbors"","block_context":{"text":"Archives Neighbors","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=922"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/photo_2025-04-16_10-40-46.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/photo_2025-04-16_10-40-46.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/photo_2025-04-16_10-40-46.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/photo_2025-04-16_10-40-46.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11609,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=11609","url_meta":{"origin":11750,"position":3},"title":"Archives Neighbors: Folger Shakespeare Library","author":"Meghan Glasbrenner","date":"August 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) is excited to present another entry in our Archives Neighbors blog series. SCRC has recently had the opportunity to visit with some of our neighbor archives in the Northern Virginia-D.C. Metro area. In this series we\u2019re recapping these new connections with members of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Archives Neighbors"","block_context":{"text":"Archives Neighbors","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=922"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Collage-5.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Collage-5.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Collage-5.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Collage-5.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Collage-5.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9368,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=9368","url_meta":{"origin":11750,"position":4},"title":"“An Archives For All Seasons” 2021 Calendar","author":"Amanda Menjivar","date":"November 2, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Give time meaning again with the 2021 \u201cAn Archives for All Seasons\u201d monthly calendar. For just $12 you can support two great causes and organize your upcoming year with an intriguing 2021 wall calendar. \u201cAn Archives for All Seasons\u201d features images that highlight Virginia\u2019s rich historical and cultural traditions from\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/calendar-cover.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/calendar-cover.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/calendar-cover.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/calendar-cover.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/calendar-cover.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6836,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=6836","url_meta":{"origin":11750,"position":5},"title":"Virginia Archives Month – REMIX Contest!","author":"Amanda Menjivar","date":"September 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 \u00a0 Every October is Virginia Archives Month, and here at SCRC we are celebrating with this year's theme - Spirits in the Archives! We'll be celebrating all October long, but you can participate early by entering the REMIX contest. Please see our flyer for details - we are looking\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "GMU Fairfax Campus"","block_context":{"text":"GMU Fairfax Campus","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=272"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Capture.png?fit=799%2C797&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Capture.png?fit=799%2C797&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Capture.png?fit=799%2C797&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Capture.png?fit=799%2C797&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11750","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/101024"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11750"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11750\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11791,"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11750\/revisions\/11791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11750"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/strong><\/p>\nThe beautiful decor of the library extends into the closed stacks area, the first room of which displays the rare books collection, as well as a centerpiece portrait of George Washington himself.<\/strong><\/h6>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\nDetail of one of the rare books shelves (left) and overview of some of the display items (right)<\/strong><\/h6>\n
<\/p>\nA glimpse of the curated display in the center of the manuscripts room (note archival boxes along the walls!)<\/strong><\/h6>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\nBound manuscript music belonging to Eleanor Parke Custis, 1797 (left) and American Revolutionary War map (right)<\/strong><\/h6>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Gleaner<\/em> from George Washington\u2019s personal collection featuring his signature on the title page<\/strong><\/h6>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\nAnd of course, no Mount Vernon visit would be complete without a glimpse at the map from the 2004 film National Treasure<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\nOur tour leader, Caroline Sharpe, displays the library\u2019s amazing map cases<\/strong><\/h6>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\nView into the recreation of George Washington\u2019s personal library<\/strong><\/h6>\n
<\/p>\nDetails from inside the rounded personal library room<\/strong><\/h6>\n
<\/p>\nInterestingly, George Washington\u2019s personal library included two different full sets of Miguel de Cervantes\u2019 Don Quixote<\/em>, one in Spanish (left) and one in English (right)<\/strong><\/h6>\n
<\/p>\nCentered in the rounded room\u2019s doorway is a large recreation of George Washington\u2019s personal bookplate<\/strong><\/h6>\n
<\/p>\nSCRC and Mason Library staff and students in the Presidential Library reading room<\/strong><\/h6>\n
<\/p>\nThe Estate was still undergoing extensive renovations ahead of the 250th anniversary celebration, providing an exciting behind the scenes glimpse into the conservation process!<\/strong><\/h6>\n
<\/p>\nA more detailed glimpse into the layers of history hiding under the floors from the museum (left), a glimpse of the work being done outside of the estate (top right), and the estate\u2019s amazing back view of the Potomac River (bottom right)<\/strong><\/h6>\n
<\/p>\nA few of us had to pose for the official Mount Vernon 250 photo-op before leaving!<\/strong><\/h6>\n