Charles Wall
Encyclopedia
Charles Cecil Wall was an American self-taught historian and preservationist, who spent nearly 40 years as resident director of George Washington
's estate at Mount Vernon on the banks of the Potomac River
, where he endeavored to keep the home and its surroundings in much the same state that it existed when the First President resided there.
Wall grew up in Curwensville, Pennsylvania
. A graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
, Wall began a career in business in New York City
. With no prior interest in Washington's life, he accepted a job as assistant superintendent at Mount Vernon in 1929, taking the place of a cousin who had died in a drowning accident. During his first years as assistant superintendent, Wall and then-resident superintendent Harrison Howell Dodge
rotated turns sleeping as guard in the manor house.
Wall became resident director of Mount Vernon in 1937, succeeding Dodge, who had served in the position for 52 years. Owned and operated by The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
since 1858, Wall was responsible for supervising a staff of 85 and lived on the site in an approximation of the lifestyle available to Washington in his time. His office was the same one used in the 18th century by Washington himself.
He would ride on horseback to inspect the grounds, used a boat to oversee the estate's frontage on the Potomac River and planted greenery consistent with what was used in the 18th century in addition to overseeing restoration at the site. Wall was the first superintendent to reside in a directors house that was constructed on the grounds of the estate. In 1974, a campaign he organized was successful in preserving as parkland areas in Maryland
across the Potomac River from Mount Vernon, as part of an effort to retain the bucolic vista from the home. During his tenure he became an expert in all things related to Washington, much of which was included in his 1980 book George Washington: Citizen Soldier.
Wall died at age 91 on May 1, 1995, at a nursing home in Greenwich, Connecticut
, due to complications of a stroke
. He was survived by a daughter, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
's estate at Mount Vernon on the banks of the Potomac River
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
, where he endeavored to keep the home and its surroundings in much the same state that it existed when the First President resided there.
Wall grew up in Curwensville, Pennsylvania
Curwensville, Pennsylvania
Curwensville is a borough located in Clearfield County, Pennsylvaniain the United States of America, northwest of Altoona on the West Branch Susquehanna River. Coal mining, tanning, and the manufacture of fire bricks were the industries at the turn of the 20th century. In 1900, 1,937 people lived...
. A graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
The Wharton School is the business school of the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Wharton was the world’s first collegiate business school and the first business school in the United States...
, Wall began a career in business in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. With no prior interest in Washington's life, he accepted a job as assistant superintendent at Mount Vernon in 1929, taking the place of a cousin who had died in a drowning accident. During his first years as assistant superintendent, Wall and then-resident superintendent Harrison Howell Dodge
Harrison Howell Dodge
Harrison Howell Dodge was the third resident superintendent of George Washington's estate at Mount Vernon. During his 52 years overseeing the estate, he doubled the facility's acreage, improved the grounds and added many historic artifacts to the collections there.-Biography:Dodge was born on...
rotated turns sleeping as guard in the manor house.
Wall became resident director of Mount Vernon in 1937, succeeding Dodge, who had served in the position for 52 years. Owned and operated by The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association is a non-profit organization that preserves and maintains the Mount Vernon estate originally owned by George Washington.-History:...
since 1858, Wall was responsible for supervising a staff of 85 and lived on the site in an approximation of the lifestyle available to Washington in his time. His office was the same one used in the 18th century by Washington himself.
He would ride on horseback to inspect the grounds, used a boat to oversee the estate's frontage on the Potomac River and planted greenery consistent with what was used in the 18th century in addition to overseeing restoration at the site. Wall was the first superintendent to reside in a directors house that was constructed on the grounds of the estate. In 1974, a campaign he organized was successful in preserving as parkland areas in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
across the Potomac River from Mount Vernon, as part of an effort to retain the bucolic vista from the home. During his tenure he became an expert in all things related to Washington, much of which was included in his 1980 book George Washington: Citizen Soldier.
Wall died at age 91 on May 1, 1995, at a nursing home in Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
, due to complications of a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
. He was survived by a daughter, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.