George & Martha’s Place On The Potomac - Mount Vernon

Aug 12

Mount Vernon is an American landmark and once a vibrant 18th century plantation and home to the first President of the United States and his wife. The estate is located on the banks on the Potomac River. The house was built around 1734 and is constructed of wood, but gives the appearance of stone block. Mount Vernon was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Along with the house and grounds, there is an extensive museum and exhibits in the Education Center. The estate has been privately owned and operated since 1858 by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. The riverside estate has been restored to look just as it did in 1799, the year of George Washington’s death.

Along with touring the mansion, you can explore the grounds which include farm buildings, slave quarters, kitchen, stables, barn and more.

Here is what caught my eye, I hope you enjoy!

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George Washington was originally buried in this tomb and then moved to the present site because of the deteriorating conditions here.

The ice house

This is a reconstructed wharf that was used to ship and receive goods. Today, it is used as a ferry dock.

A simple memorial near the slave memorial and cemetery

This is the newer brick tomb, constructed after Washington’s death to replace the original deteriorating family burial vault.

Some of the other Washington family are buried near Washington’s tomb

George Washington's Mount Vernon Official Guidebook

By The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union

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Washington: A Life

By Chernow, Ron

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George Washington's Eye: Landscape, Architecture, and Design at Mount Vernon

By Manca, Joseph

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Another view of the tomb where George Washington is buried.

Other estate buildings

The dung repository

Most of the building on the estate are built in the same style

The wash house

The entrance to the lower garden

The lower garden

The stables and coach house

The multi-seat outhouse or sometimes called “the necessary”

The front facade of the mansion

The Gardener’s House

A view of some of the outbuildings on the estate

The spinning house

The blacksmith shop

The overseer’s quarters

The male slave quarters

The female slave quarters

The entrance to the upper garden

A long shot of the mansion at Mount Vernon

The farm near the Potomac River

A view of the farm near the river

The 16-sided barn

The garden slave cabin

The huge windows in the New Room, the grandest room in the house and the last addition to the mansion.

The bright green New Room

Some of the decorative ceiling in the New Room

The Central Passage where visitors entered the house and were greeted. The elegant space was also used for entertaining.

The dining room

Hallway wallpaper detail

The Blue Room

The Chintz Room

The Lafayette bedchamber

The key to the Bastille, given to George Washington by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1790.

The Yellow Room

This is George Washington’s bedchamber where he died on December 14, 1799.

George Washington’s study

Inside the kitchen building

The East Front, facing the Potomac River, is covered with scaffolding as the building goes through restoration.

The Clerk’s quarters

The museum contains over 700 original Washington artifacts

The museum includes 23 galleries and theaters to learn about Washington’s life as well as life at Mount Vernon.

What you should know:

You can download a free Mount Vernon Explorer app that will assist on your visit.
There is free wifi available.
Restrooms are available.
You could spend a couple of hours to an entire day.
General admission includes access to the historic area, gardens, outbuildings and museum as well as an audio tour device.
Guided mansion timed tour tickets are purchased separately.
Tickets can be purchased on-line or in person.
People are friendly and helpful.
Check the website for days and hours of operation.

Location:

3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Virgina 22121

For more information: Mount Vernon