C-SPAN explores the life and times of Martha Washington on the premiere program of our newest series, "First Ladies: Influence and Image." Our nation's 1st First Lady, Martha Washington set the precedent for the presidential wives who followed her.
To tell the story of "Lady Washington," C-SPAN travels to Colonial Williamsburg to hear about her early years and her marriage to Daniel Parke Custis, whose death left her one of the wealthiest widows in the colonies -- at age 25. From Mount Vernon, Valley Forge and Philadelphia, we hear about her relationship with George Washington and their life together before and during the Revolutionary War.
And later, we consider retirement for her and George Washington following the presidential years, her relationship with the next First Lady Abigail Adams, and her legacy in American history.