Remembering Martha Washington

To commemorate the 250th birthday of the United States of America, this July 4, 2026, we reflect upon Martha Washington. Although she was our nation's first first lady, she was never called first lady. She was known as Lady Washington.

When George was elected the first President of the United States in 1789, he and Martha moved to the nation’s capital in New York City to live in the President’s Mansion at 1 Cherry Street. The big brick mansion filled with beautiful furniture had living quarters, a private office for the president, and a business office. 

Currier & Ives lithograph of Martha Washington Courtesy of Library of Congress

In a horse-drawn carriage, Martha left Mount Vernon for New York City. She rode up north with her nephew Robert Lewis and her ten-year old granddaughter Nelly, and Little Wash, her eight-year old grandson. Sadly, all of Martha and George’s children had died, so they raised Nelly and Wash as their own.

Along their way to New York, people greeted them with cheers and celebrations. In Baltimore, fireworks burst into the night and people sang songs. When they reached Philadelphia, church bells rang, and soldiers fired a 13-gun salute in Martha’s honor.

But the trip was not easy. One night, the carriage broke down and the horses gave them trouble. Finally, 11 days later, George met them in New Jersey, and they took the President’s boat to New York. When people saw the boat, they shouted, “God Bless Lady Washington!”

In New York City, a parade came down the streets to celebrate Martha’s arrival, and soldiers fired another 13-gun-salute.

Martha was excited to be the First Lady, but she was also nervous. What did a First Lady do? Nobody had done it before. How could she show people that the new government was for the people and by the people? Martha thought about the parties and dinners she hosted at Mount Vernon for the troops during the American Revolution. Then she had an idea. Martha would invite people to the Presidential Mansion.

And that’s just what she did. Martha began holding receptions, called “levees,” every Friday night. She invited congressmen, very important people from other countries, and community members. Martha served coffee, tea, cake, and lemonade. She also served a new dessert called ice cream. George liked it because it was soft, and he had bad teeth.

Lady Washington's Reception Courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum

Martha wore simple clothes made in New England factories. At Martha’s receptions, George and Martha did not wear formal clothing because they did not want the American people to think that they were acting like the King and Queen of England and holding a royal court.

Even though Martha enjoyed the Presidential Mansion, she still missed Mount Vernon. She was not used to living in the city or being famous. Journalists followed her around and wrote about what she did every day, like taking Nelly and Little Wash to the theatre and museums. It was hard getting used to being the center of attention.

But Martha learned how to keep herself happy. She would say, “Keep yourself busy as a bee, cheerful as a cricket, and steady as a clock.” Martha enjoyed quilting, knitting, embroidery, and sewing clothes, and she kept Nelly and Little Wash busy as bees, too. Nelly went to a school for young women, and Martha hired a famous musician and artist to teach Nelly. Nelly learned to play the harpsichord, paint and draw. Martha also spoiled Little Wash. He could do no wrong and got away with everything.

Before Martha could adjust to life in New York City, Congress voted to name the District of Columbia the nation’s capital. George hired the French engineer Pierre-Charles L-Efant to build the new city, and enslaved people began building Martha and George’s new house.

Although Martha and George were excited to finally have a permanent home, they would have to move to Philadelphia until the house was complete. Sadly, George’s time as president ended before their new home in Washington D.C. was built, and they returned to Mount Vernon.

Excerpted from the book, LADIES, FIRST: COMMON THREADS