Candle stand used by George Washington while writing the Farewell Address, 1796

Object Details

Description: Farewell Address was Washington's final advice to his countrymen. He urged all Americans to support the newly formed nation and put aside regional or party divisions. "Your Union ought to be considered as a main prop of your liberty, the love of the one ought to endear to you the preservation of the other."; Since 1896, the United States Senate has marked Washington's birthday by having a member read the Farewell Address aloud in a legislative session.; According to family tradition, President Washington worked on his Farewell Address by the light of this brass candle stand. The reflector magnifies the light of the candles in adjustable candlesticks. The back of the reflector is lined with green silk. The candle stand and other relics of George and Martha Washington were sold to the United States government in 1878 by the Lewis family (descendants of George Washington's nephew, Lawrence Lewis, and Martha Washington's granddaughter, Nelly Custis Lewis). The relics were housed in the Patent Office until 1883, when they were transferred to the Smithsonian Institution.

Physical Description: green (back of reflector color); brass (overall material); silk (reflector material)
Measurements: overall: 22 in x 11 1/2 in; 55.88 cm x 29.21 cm; base: 5 11/16 in; 14.44625 cm

Related Publication: Washington's farewell address to the people of the United States

See more items in: Political History: Political History, Presidential History Collection; Government, Politics, and Reform; Domestic Furnishings
Exhibition: American Presidency
Exhibition Location: National Museum of American History

National Museum of American History

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