This double-height room was called the New Room by Washington as it was the last one he added to the house in the 1770s. It was designed to showcase the fine craftsmanship of the nation and was used for receiving visitors and occasional dining. Due to its large size, it was also the perfect place for displaying their various pictures and paintings.

Behind the glamour lay a darker legacy. The estate had over 300 enslaved people working in the mansion, fields and workshops. They performed various roles including farming, cooking and blacksmithing. Despite their essential contributions, they lived under harsh conditions with limited freedoms. Washington's views on slavery evolved over the years and he left instructions to free his enslaved workers in his will upon the death of his widow, Martha.

Time capsule homes of famous people