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George Washington's Uniform
Believing that "nothing adds more to the Appearance of the man, than dress," George Washington took pains to clothe himself in a fashion appropriate to his rank.
According to family tradition, Washington wore the original of this uniform, now in the Smithsonian, when he resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief. The replica, seen here near where Washington stood [ note that the other sign said this was the exact spot ], is closely patterned after the original, and was donated to the State of Maryland by the Maryland Societies of Senates Past. It was produced by Mr J Luther Sowers of the Anvil Arms, Salisbury, North Carolina under the supervision of Mr Donald E Kloster, Associate Curator of Military History at the Smithsonian. Washington's head is modeled on the life bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon made in 1785, and is a gift of The Maryland Colonial Society. The epaulets and sword, given by the Maryland Society of Senates Past and Daughters of Colonial Wars, duplicate those Washington wears in the Charles Wilson Peale portrait "Washington, Lafayette and Tilghman at Yorktown" which hangs over the Senate Chamber fireplace... Washington was bareheaded during the ceremonies. Congressmen kept their hats on, the symbolize the supremacy of civil over military authority, but when "the General rose and bowed," they responded by momentarily removing their hats in a formal gesture of respect.
The uniform is on a mannequin specially constructed by Susan Wallace of the Smithsonian, who also painted the head. ... |