Cocktail Conversations: An Insider’s View: Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and Keeping Washington’s Hospitality Alive

Program

On a cold January evening, over 50 Dames and guests gathered on Zoom for cocktails to listen to Cissy Viebranz entertain us with her stories about the Mount Vernon Ladies Association and her life living at Mount Vernon when her husband was the President of Mount Vernon.  They lived in a 1930’s built home on the property.  Cissy began with a brief history of the founding and funding raising leadership of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association who  purchased and restored the home. Illinois Friends of Mount Vernon raised the funds to restore the west parlor.  Among those early leaders were a few Dames.

Cissy then shared her stories about their life while living and entertaining at Mount Vernon.  She and her husband often enjoyed quiet moments on Mount Vernon’s portico with their coffee or cocktails. She shared pictures of some of the dignitaries and royalty whom they entertained; the annual military reenactment where participants vie over who gets to “die” in the shade; and a lovely set table in the green house for a family party. What a fairy tale life to have led.