"Visiting Mount Vernon..." Washington D.C. Off The Beaten Path Tip by deecat

"Liberty, when it begins to root, is a plant of rapid growth." George Washington

While in Washington DC, we went to Mount Vernon, George Washington's House for 45 years. Since we had no car, & Mount Vernon is 16 miles southeast of Washington DC, it was convenient to take the tourmobile from Washington Monument. Make reservations in person 30 minutes in advance at the point of departure. Cost includes admission to the mansion.

George Washington inherited Mount Vernon & the surrounding lands in 1761. He oversaw the transformation of the main house from a simple farm house into a grand mansion.

The red-roofed house is made of yellow pine that has been painted with a "sand paint" to resemble white-stone blocks. It was great to have guides stationed throughout the house because they would answer questions & describe all the furnishings. There is no formal tour, so use the attendants throughout the house.

We were allowed to walk the estate & the 3 gardens. There is a workshop, kitchen, carriage house, greenhouse, & the slave quarters. There is also a brick house ( Washington's & his family's tombs.)

Interestingly, you are able to purchase seeds from plants in the garden as well as stripling boxwoods (started in 1798!) The tour takes almost two hours. We did not know it at first, & we learned too late, that we could have taken a private, evening candlelight tour of the mansion. The staff dresses in 18th-century costumes.

I read that George Washington's Gristmill opened in 2002 on the site of his original mill & distillery.

We found the Slave Quarters most interesting. Washington freed his slaves in his will, & a memorial to those slaves was erected in 1983 near his tomb.

When you visit the house, you will see 14 rooms restored: painted in the original colors favored by George & Martha.
Avoid weekends & holidays & the summer months if at all possible. We were there in October, & it was not crowded.
Adults $9.00
Seniors 8.50
Children 4.50
(6-11)

Phone: 703/780-2000
Website: http://www.mountvernon.org