At Home with George Washington

If American History is your cup of tea, you might enjoy exploring George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens. Located just up the Potomac from Alexandria/Washington, this will give you a glimpse into the way that George and Martha Washington lived during the 1700s. Tour the mansion and you’ll get to listen to interpreters stationed throughout the building describe the house, provide information and answer questions about the Washingtons. The mansion itself is filled with the Washington’s original 18^th-century furnishings and a few reproductions that simulate how it might have looked back in the day. You’ll get a feel for the family’s wealth and sense of style as you stroll through the premises.

There are three gardens that are worth exploring on the estate. The Upper Garden showcases gorgeous flowers, trees and boxwood that would have been planted in Washington’s period. Fresh produce was grown in the Lower Garden to supply the mansion’s kitchen. Cherry, apple and other fruit trees also grace the Lower Garden. The Fruit Garden and Nursery were used to test out seeds and other plants before growing them on the estate. The Washingtons tried to grow everything from grapes to plums to peaches.

During your visit you can also see where George Washington is buried. A brick tomb which was completed in 1831 houses his body, his wife, Martha’s and other family members. There’s also a slave burial ground and memorial that is worth a few minutes of your time.

George Washington had reputation for being one of the nation’s most innovative and successful farmers. At the pioneer farmer site you can see rare-breed barn animals like the ones that Washington had on his farm that range from oxen to sheep to chickens. A miller clad in colonial attire operates a water-powered grist mill that was an important part of farm life.

There’s a renovated museum on the property that exhibits several of George Washington’s personal possessions. On display is a marvelous terracotta bust of Washington created by Jean Antoine Houdan at Mount Vernon in 1785.