NPS Photo Julia Washington Muse was a descendant of the Washington family. She married into the neighboring Muse family that had lived alongside the Washingtons at Popes Creek during the colonial era and after. She served as the first Postmistress of the United States Post Office located on park grounds in 1932, making her the first female federal employee at the park. Julia L. Washington was born on January 8th, 1893, to Lawrence Washington Jr. and Julia Carpenter Washington in Westmoreland County, Virginia. She was raised in a historic home, called Blenheim, which was built by George Washington’s nephew and Julia’s Great Grandfather, William Augustine Washington, around 1780 and is located less than 2 miles from the Memorial Area at George Washington Birthplace National Monument. As she grew up in the Blenheim house, Julia heard stories of her extended family and was well versed in the Washington family lore that surrounded the park. In May of 1932, a post office was established in the basement of the newly constructed Memorial House Museum. As Postmistress, Julia dispatched 350 letters on the first day of operation. Visitors enjoyed the convenience of being able to mail their souvenir post cards as they bought them, as well as the opportunity to meet and hear the stories from a member of the Washington family. Julia served in this role until shortly after her marriage to Mr. Robinson John Muse in 1935. Mr. Muse was also a park employee and served several seasons with the maintenance staff. In 1936, the post office relocated to its own small building near the parking lot, freeing up the basement of the Memorial House Museum for other uses by the National Park Service. Mrs. Muse lived locally for most of her life, passing away in Fredericksburg on March 21st, 1978. |
Last updated: July 30, 2024