A Fine Day Out for Washington and Rumsey

by Nick Blanton

George Washington leaves on the Rumseian Experiment – photographer Harriet Wise

In 1993 the architect of the US Capitol, George White, organized a bicentennial celebration to commemorate the laying of the cornerstone of the Capitol in 1793, by George Washington.  It was decided to have a re-enactment of the event.  George had been brought up river from Mt Vernon for the occasion ( boats were often the more comfortable way to travel in early America), and an actor portraying Washington was therefore to be dropped off at the Georgetown waterfront. Rather than a long haul from Mt Vernon, it was also decided that transporting  him from Roosevelt Island would be enough.

A historic boat was needed. The Alexandria Seaport Foundation was contacted.  There were a few appropriate boats available. But the event had grown beyond, say,  George stepping off a rowboat. He’d laid the cornerstone in full Masonic regalia, and so naturally the bicentennial celebration turned into a very Masonic event, Masons everywhere wanting in on the mortar, so to speak.  Grand Masters of 50 lodges came. George himself was to have a small entourage. Someone – likely Bill Hunley- suggested the Rumseian Experiment for transport, given James Rumsey’s associations with Washington. It was also the biggest craft available. In any case, Jay Hurley jumped at the chance.

On the afternoon of September  17, therefore, the boat was hitched to Jay’s truck, a crew of Dan Tokar, Ernie Fuss and Roy Leblanc was stuffed into the cab with Jay, and the boat was hauled down to Gravely Point. From there it was given a tow up to the Georgetown Waterfront, and tied to the dock. As soon as the engine was re-assembled, Jay bid good evening to the crew.  Where are we supposed to spend the night? They asked. On the boat, said Jay. What are we sleeping on? Oh, rake up some of those life vests and sleep on those. What if it rains? There’s a tarp over the life vests, use that.  And off he went to a dinner and a bed.

The crew took turns walking into Georgetown and found a few trucks to feed them, then passed an uncomfortable but uneventful night. I arrived early the next morning, and found Roy, Ernie and Dan naturally somewhat stiff and bleary. Jay appeared, and Bill, both richly attired. We got a tow to Roosevelt Island, and the small convoy of historic watercraft assembled; an elegant captain’s gig with matching oarsmen, an immensely charming  miniature square-rigged vessel named The Federalist, and a ramshackle James River bateau.

George Washington and hangers-on arrived, and at the appropriate time we got up steam. Then, as was typical, we ran the engine until it stopped,  cleared the main valve of boiler grunge, ran it again until it stopped,  fixed a problem, raised steam again, ran it, fixed another problem.  Buckets of water, oil cans, bags of wood were moved around, used. Time went by…  Eventually, we actually got underway. As the crew had to swarm about to start and then swarm about to keep the boat slowly going, it was fortunate the actor was deep into Washington’s character, stoically holding a straight face. Eventually, the landing was reached. Washington and entourage disembarked at the Waterfront,  Masons and people of importance crowded around and bore him away.

George Washington Lands in Georgetown – photographer Harriet Wise

Flotilla docked in Georgetown – photographer Harriet Wise

We were left to hang out; converse with the other boat people, explain ourselves. We did get to the Capitol, then came back. In the afternoon we steamed up again and chugged about in front of the waterfront, then  got another tow downstream to Gravely Point, where the boat was hauled out and trailered back home. And the crew got to sleep in their beds.

Flotilla in Potomac River near Georgetown (photography by Harriet Wise)

Frederick photographer Harriet Wise took a lot of photos ( tempting to say a boatload- but let’s not). She recently gave them to the Museum, so here is a selection. When she was shooting, Harriet always had a fixed grin on her face, as though she wouldn’t be anywhere else for the world. There was a lot to grin at, that day.

Apparently they’ve already scheduled a tricentennial celebration for 2093.

Ernie Fuss, Bill Hunsley and Jay Hurley converse at the Capitol. – photographer Harriet Wise.