George Washington Commemorative Medallion
This small circular framed print, called a “Mount Vernon gem,” is an important example of a popular 19th-century Washington souvenir. A label on the back explains that the frame is made of wood from Mount Vernon, produced by James Crutchett at his Mount Vernon Factory in Washington, D.C. In 1856, Crutchett signed an exclusive contract with John Augustine Washington III to purchase timber from Mount Vernon to use it to craft souvenirs such as canes and picture frames. The print itself celebrates George Washington’s contributions and legacy, featuring a profile portrait of Washington surrounded by patriotic imagery and scenes of the Mount Vernon mansion and Washington’s tomb.