Mount Vernon

We ventured outside D.C. to visit George and Martha Washington's home in Mount Vernon.  

The visit to the estate includes an introductory film which provides an excellent context to the Washington family's relationship and connection to the estate.  There is also a fascinating museum with a large collection of artifacts and interactive exhibits about Washington's varied roles in American history.

While photography is not permitted within the mansion's interior which is an incredible restoration, I have shared some photographs of the grounds.

View from the back of the Mount Vernon Mansion : The Potomac River.  In the late 1700s it was full of herring

Mansion at Mount Vernon acquired by Washington in 1754. The original home was much smaller, but expanded by Washington to 21 rooms.

Working Farm

Washington's Tomb

The Slave Memorial at Mount Vernon is on sacred grounds a short distance from Washington's Tomb.  This is sacred ground and cemetery of those who were enslaved and died at Mount Vernon. "Local folklore/tradition says that the bodies were buried with their feet towards the east (the river), symbolizing their desire to return to Africa"

From mountvernon.org:

"At the time of George Washington’s death, the Mount Vernon estate’s enslaved population consisted of 317 people. Washington himself had been a slave owner for fifty-six years, beginning at eleven years of age when he inherited ten slaves from his deceased father. Washington’s thoughts on slavery were contradictory and changed over time. This evolution culminated near the end of his life; Washington’s will mandated the freeing of all his slaves upon his wife’s death, making him the only slaveholding Founder to put provisions for manumission in his will."

I highly recommend a visit to Mount Vernon if you are interested in learning more about George Washington and the history of America. We learned so much. 

 Last summer, Lily and I saw the musical Hamilton and she has developed a special interest in this time period.