President’s Day - George Washington

Celebrate Presidents' Day with a look at some presidential items in The Charleston Museum's permanent collection.

When George Washington, young America’s first president, launched his Southern Tour in 1791, he was greeted with enthusiasm everywhere he stayed. And in May, Charleston was no exception. The City rented what is now known as The Charleston Museum's Heyward-Washington House for George Washington's use during the President's week-long Charleston stay. The residents threw a ball for him and the ladies dressed in their finest. Some even made special sashes to honor him.


This silk sash, in the collections of The Charleston Museum and on exhibit for President’s Day, was worn and probably made by Miss Harriott Pinckney the daughter of indigo-famous Eliza Lucas Pinckney. The sash is 3 ¾” wide and 165 ½” long of light blue silk taffeta. In the center, Miss Pinckney painted a miniature portrait of George Washington. On one end is an eagle with an American shield and on the other end a dove in a wreath. How lovely the ladies must have looked wearing the president’s portrait over their loveliest gown! On Exhibit


Other textiles in the collection (not currently on exhibit) relate to President Washington. Thomas Pinckney, Harriott’s brother, was ambassador to the Court of St. James during his presidential term. This fabulous embroidered purple velvet suit was worn by Pinckney for his court visits and clearly placed him at the height of fashion for 1793.


Charles Cotesworth Pinkney (Thomas’ & Harriott’s brother) wore this lovely blue silk diplomatic coat while serving under George Washington.  Before the Revolution, Charles Cotesworth served as delegate to the Philadelphia convention responsible for drafting the new nation’s constitution. He later ran unsuccessfully for Vice President and President of the conservative Federalist Party. All three of these garments came to the Museum from direct Pinckney descendants.

This English silk brocade dress, though radically altered later, was said to have been worn by Maria Henrietta Pinckney at the inaugural ball for George Washington in April 1789. Maria was the daughter of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney.


Postcards published by the International Art Publishing Company celebrating Washington’s Birthday, circa 1910.  Washington’s Birthday was originally commemorated on February 22nd – his actual birthday.  In the 1970’s, this was changed to the third Monday in the month and meant that we no longer celebrated on his birthday, as the third Monday always falls between the 15th and the 21st.  Of course, now we celebrate this day as Presidents’ Day, to honor all of those we have elected and, of course, will elect. On Exhibit


Father of the Land We Love, sheet music composed by George M. Cohan, 1931.  Issued by the United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his birth.  In addition to the music, inside the cover is the Story of George Washington. On Exhibit

Official Letters to the Honourable American Congress Written during the War Between the United Colonies and Great Britain by His Excellency George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Forces, now President of the United States published in 1795.  The letters bear dates from June 24, 1775 to December 31, 1778. Inscription on title page of D. DeSaussure. On Exhibit


George Washington's Christening Cup Presented to 2-month-old George at the time of his Baptism, April 3, 1732. On Exhibit
Image from our Charleston Silver Gallery Guide.

Heyward-Washington House

Charleston's Revolutionary War House
Located in the downtown Historic District, within the area of the original walled city, this brick double house was built in 1772 by rice planter Daniel Heyward as a town-house for his son, Thomas Heyward, Jr.
Learn more and Visit