George Washington sat here; see it at Mount Vernon

ByABC News
October 9, 2008, 6:46 PM

— -- Strange as it seems, men in the 18th century used their studies for more than just studying.

Few guests would ever enter this inner sanctum even Martha Washington had to ask permission. Now any American can see the most private room at Mount Vernon, where the first president worked, dressed and even occasionally bathed.

After four years of research and restoration, the study will open Saturday, featuring about 60 objects on exhibit, from his inkstand to his money scale to his fan coral specimen. Original artifacts, such as his presidential swivel chair and secretary, have been conserved and cleaned to re-create the appearance of the room in 1799, the last year of his life.

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens is located in Virginia about 16 miles south of Washington, D.C.

Information: mountvernon.org.