George washington clothes museum
George Washington's Uniform
- Date made
- associated date
- -
- wearer
- Washington, George
- Description
- Physical Description
- This blue wool coat is part of a suit of regimentals made for George Washington in It has a buff wool rise-and-fall collar, buff cuffs and lapels, and buff lining; there is a row of yellow metal buttons on each lapel, as well as on each cuff.
- The waistcoat and breeches are matching buff wool, with gilt buttons.
- Specific History
- This uniform consisting of coat, waistcoat, and knee breeches was initially donated to the Columbian Institute; in , it was transferred to the National Institute and housed in the Patent Office.
It came to the Smithsonian in from the Patent Office collection, and has been on display almost continuously.
George washington biography revolutionary war uniform for sale Joshua Fry a bungled moment of improvised frontier diplomacy. They would wear white breeches and a white wool vest, and black buckled leather shoes. In December , Washington was recorded wearing this uniform when he visited Philadelphia on Provisional Army duty. And as he prepared to lead the Virginia Regiment into contested territory, his appreciation for both the practical and theatrical value of costume evolved further.(From the years to , during World War II, the Smithsonian packed up many of its treasured artifacts, including this uniform, and sent them to the Shenandoah Valley for safekeeping.)
- This uniform was worn by George Washington from until his death in ; the small clothes, or breeches and waistcoat, date from the revolutionary period.
- Washington often posed for life portraits during this period, and was often depicted wearing this uniform.
An example is the watercolor portrait on ivory painted by John Ramage in ; it is the first known depiction of this uniform in a portrait of Washington.
- In December , Washington was recorded wearing this uniform when he visited Philadelphia on Provisional Army duty. He wore a similar uniform when he was commissioned by the Continental Congress as commander in chief of the Continental army.
- None of his uniforms from the Revolutionary War period are known to have survived.
- General History
- When George Washington was an aide to General Edward Braddock he paid special attention to the way the British general maintained his rank and deportment.
Washington believed that in order to command effectively, an officer must convey character and leadership through appearance as well as action.
George washington biography revolutionary war uniform This new role required him to lead more men, defend more geography and consider more logistical and administrative demands than during his frontier years. Abbot, ed. The other effect of the Franco-American alliance was it helped to make the Continental Army gradually begin to look more professional. Critical Thinking December 20,As the leader of the Continental army, Washington wanted these troops to present themselves as a professional military organization and a proper uniform was one way of showing a unified front. In commemoration of Washington’s attention to detail, the colors of blue and buff remained the accepted pattern for U.S. Army uniforms until the beginning of the Civil War.
- used in
- United States: Virginia
- See more items in
- Military and Society: Armed Forces History, Military
- Military
- National Treasures exhibit
- Exhibition
- Price of Freedom
- Exhibition Location
- National Museum of American History
- Related Publication
- Kendrick, Kathleen M.
and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History
- National Museum of American History. Treasures of American History online exhibition
- Related Web Publication
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- ID Number
- AF
- accession number
- catalog number
- Object Name
- coat
- Other Terms
- coat; Man; Army; General Officer; Officer
- Physical Description
- wool (overall material)
- metal (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 72 in x 36 in x 36 in; cm x cm x cm