Martha Washington established her role as First Lady in New York City by May 1789.
By May 15, 1789, Martha Washington had formally taken on her duties as First Lady in New York City. She began hosting weekly receptions, known as levees, which became a cornerstone of the social-political scene in the new nation’s capital. These gatherings established social patterns for future presidential households and defined the unique blend of personal hospitality and political engagement characteristic of the role.