Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington

01/28/2026

The museum is now closed to the public as we begin preparing for the move to American Village.
See you all at our new home.

11/27/2024

Thanksgiving Proclamation
[New York, 3 October 1789]
By the President of the United States of America. a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be—That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks—for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation—for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war—for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed—for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted—for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions—to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually—to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed—to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord—To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us—and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go: Washington
Spelling corrected.

04/30/2024

in 1789, George Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States.

Washington accomplished a great deal in the first 153 days of his presidency. In 153 days, the new government passed the Bill of Rights; established the principle of national taxation; designed the nation's court system; and created the first executive departments.

Learn more about this period in our newest podcast, Inventing the Presidency: https://bit.ly/4atwTgp

(Image Credits)
First in Peace. "Representing the Arrival of General George Washington at the Battery, New York, April 23, 1789.", engraved by John C. McRae, 1867.

02/22/2024

02/21/2024

Columbiana’s Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington will soon have a new home at the American Village after its recent acquisition.

02/19/2024

It is with a great deal of pleasure to announce The Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington will be moving to the East Wing of Independence Hall at American Village, soon to be under construction.

12/09/2023

The Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington is closed until further notice.

03/16/2023

01/06/2023

in 1759, George Washington wed a young widow Martha Dandridge Custis. 🔔

Martha was charming, accomplished, and wealthy. George had his own appeal. Over six foot two inches tall (compared with Martha, who was only five feet tall), George was an imposing figure whose reputation as a military leader preceded him.

After their marriage, Washington would become the legal guardian of Martha’s children, responsible for managing and protecting their financial affairs.

Learn about the courtship between Martha and George: https://bit.ly/3e0KmRk

12/29/2022

Come to the museum and see the full size Peale portrait.

in 1773, holiday visitors amused themselves by competing to see who could throw an iron bar furthest across Mount Vernon’s lawn.
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Washington approached the group to take a turn; the heavy iron bar “whizzed through the air, striking the ground far, very far, beyond our utmost limits.”⁣
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As he walked away, Washington quipped, “When you beat my pitch, young gentlemen, I’ll try again.”⁣
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Read more here: https://bit.ly/3s4KNT0

(Image Credits)⁣
George Washington as Colonel in the Virginia Regiment, Charles Willson Peale, 1772. Washington-Custis-Lee Collection, Washington and Lee University, Lexington VA. Object identifier U1897.1.1