George Washington’s Mount Vernon

From our campground in Colonial Beach, VA, we drove about 1.5 hours north to George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Just north of Fredericksburg, where we merged into I-95, was the longest collector road we have seen. Miles. At one point, there are two separate freeways going north and two going south plus a middle freeway that is for commuters. The commuter lanes are directional. They sure have done a good job figuring that out!  George Washington’s Mount Vernon is privately owned, since 1858, by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. The ground are immaculate and parking easy. We got there right as the place opened at 9:00 a.m. Weeks ago I had emailed them for an American Sign Language interpreter and gave them the dates of yesterday or today, said we were free all day, and listed what tours we were interested in. They responded and set up an itinerary that we liked. This morning there wasn’t a line when we got there but it soon got busy. Workers are everywhere and happy to answer questions. A large map with places to see is on a wall; a lot of people took pictures on their phones to use it as a guide. Good idea to have it there. We started with a 10 minute introductory film. Every film in this entire place had closed captions. This place gets an A. Then we walked outside to the house. We were to meet the interpreter at 10:00 a.m. in the Mansion Circle/Special Tours area.

I was here 47 years ago! I remember the breezeway between the house and the kitchen. I had never seen anything like it. Well, of course, today, it looks so much smaller than what I remember. HAHA Isn’t that funny how things look so much bigger in our memories and when we were shorter?! I had never seen a breezeway and having the kitchen in a different building was new to me back then.

Pic From Kevin: ASL Interpreter & History Interpreter Behind Her, George Washington’s Mt Vernon, VA 05/24

The American Sign Language interpreter, Mary Beth, came with Karen, a history interpreter. “History interpreter” is what some places use for what we would normally say, tour guide. Karen, the history interpreter, would talk and Mary Beth, the ASL interpreter would sign. It was just the four of us; our own personal tour! This way was amazing.

Rustication: Wood, Wet Paint, Sand = Stone Look, George Washington’s Mt Vernon, VA 05/24

The mansion and buildings all look like they are made of stone. But they aren’t! It is rustication and made out of wood. Right after the wood is painted, sand is thrown on the surface to make it look like stone and texture. This made it look expensive and protected the wood. Here is more of what we learned that we didn’t know: *G.W. owned and rented over 317 slaves. *enslaved people were sometimes rented out *G.W. was in PA and there they had a law that if you had a slave, after 2 months the slave would be free. So he would take them and go home right before the time was up and then return with a different group of enslaved people *he signed into law the 1793 Fugitive Slave Law, which guaranteed the right of slaveholders to recover escaped slaves across state lines *fruit trees were planted close to the greenhouse walls so they could feel the warmth.

Fancy “Necessity” At George Washington’s Mt Vernon, VA 05/24

To Kevin’s delight, we saw the outhouse. Not kidding – it has fancy windows! And is octagon in shape.

“Necessity” Catch-All, George Washington’s Mt Vernon, VA 05/24

Around behind, near the garden, Karen moved a cone, opened a small door, and let us see inside…big huge boxes on trolleys to catch “things” from the “seats” above, and these could be rolled out and dump “stuff” as fertilizer! Oh my gosh. HAHA Never knew that sort of thing existed!!!!

Lines Of Enslaved People Burials, George Washington’s Mt Vernon, VA 05/24

At the Slave Memorial and Cemetery area, we participated in the wreath laying. Kevin and several others read a script. They each started out as, “ Today I have the pleasure of celebrating…” and then a name and story of an enslaved person. I thought that was a good way to remember people who were so awfully treated.

Porch View of Potomac River, George Washington’s Mt Vernon, VA 05/24

Karen was done with her part and we got a new history interpreter, Vanessa. We sat on the porch of the house overlooking the Potomac River. What a view! We can definitely see why George Washington loved this place so much. And just think – the river would have been a “freeway” back then!

Pic From Kevin: Storage On 3rd Floor w/ Pretty Window, George Washington’s Mt Vernon, VA 05/24

Inside the house it was just the four of us, not the huge group of tours before and after us. Awesome. Part of the house is being renovated so we didn’t see the big room where parties were. That was fine; I knew that ahead of time from research. We saw the first and second floor and then, Vanessa said she was taking us somewhere where normal tours don’t go and up we went, past a locked divider and up some stairs to the 3rd floor. She said this banister was the one that used to be from the 1st to the 2nd floor. We saw the bedroom where Martha stayed in after George died. She never again slept in their room. We saw the room with the long oval shaped window; that is used for storage of extra kitchen things. I can understand that!

Private Tour – 3rd Floor & Cupola, George Washington’s Mt Vernon, VA 05/24

And then, the cupola. We didn’t go up the few steep steps but we could see it. Vanessa said the grandchildren would practice writing their names on the walls up there. HA So thankful for this special stop Vanessa gave us. Back down through the house, the breezeway and the kitchen. At this time, we were done with Mary Beth and Vanessa. I am so thankful and will, as always, write them a thank you note.

We were hungry and wanted to eat at the restaurant here since it serves some of G.W.’s favorite foods. The wait was an hour and the buffet is $74.00 a person! Nope, not that interested in his favorites. LOL So we went to the food court and got premade personal pizzas. This place was packed with people and no seats inside. Outside we had to walk a ways but finally found a table. Thankfully the weather was fine to sit outside and eat. Food was good and we were ready to see more. At the front of the museum G.W.’s head is looking at you. When you walk, his eyes and whole head follow you. Creepy! The 4D Revolutionary War Theatre gave an overall story of the war, including snowflakes and shaking seats.

“Be Washington” Interactive Program, George Washington’s Mt Vernon, VA 05/24

In a room that looked like the room of the Constitutional Congress, you sit at a desk and the computer screen is personalized for you and asks you questions. You click on your answer. Then the screen on the front wall will show the survey of people’s responses in the room. Very interactive and fun. It is called “Be Washington.”

We learned that Washington had a distillery but even more profitable than that? Fishing! Yes, fishing. Fish would be put in tall barrels and shipped to West Indies for use as food for enslaved people. The museum of Mt Vernon is good with lots of artifacts on display. OH boy, what a great day. We left at 4:30 p.m. Great day of history. 

Next time: Washington, D.C. 😃