Portrait Project FAQs

Q: I read that the deadline for requesting a George Washington portrait has passed. Can our school still get a portrait? If so, how do we do that?

 A: Yes, a school can still request a portrait! The original portrait program launched in 2007 was a pilot initiative.  However, the program has proved so popular, Mount Vernon has decided to make this a permanent activity and will continue to accept request letters from principals for as long as we can continue to fund the program.  Please follow the guidance on this website to request your portrait.  And please consider a donation to support this timeless initiative.

Q: Our school received the "Celebration Kit" but not the portrait. Is the portrait lost in the mail?

A: Probably not. The “Celebration Kits” are shipped separately from the portraits. In most cases, schools receive the kit before the portrait arrives. If you received a kit, rest assured your portrait is on its way.

Q: What a great program! How is it funded? Can I help?

A: Thank you! Mount Vernon's education programs, including this portrait initiative, are made possible through our own fundraising efforts and private contributions from patriotic individuals and institutions across the nation. Mount Vernon does not receive or accept government funding of any sort. Your contribution of $275 will make it possible for a school to receive, at no charge, this beautiful framed portrait of George Washington and the "Celebration Kit".

Further information and donation contact details are available in the Support section of this website.  You may make your contribution payable to MVLA, and mail it to:

Q: Does the portrait come in a tube, like a poster? What does it look like?

A: The portrait arrives framed in 2 1/4" gilt-trimmed wooden molding and is packed in a large, flat box.  It is not a poster, but a 30"x36" reproduction painting on canvas stretched over an inner wood frame.

Q: How many schools have portraits so far? Which schools? Where are they?

A: So far, almost 6,000 schools from across the nation in all 50 states have requested George Washington portraits.  The list grows by the day, and we continue to welcome new requests. Our Education Department can tell you if a school has already requested or received a portrait. 

Q: What is in the Celebration Kit?

A: Packed and shipped in a sturdy, four-color storage box, the kit contains an American flag that has been flown over Mount Vernon (certificate of authenticity included) and a colorful binder with elementary-level lessons, activities, and information about George Washington and his era. For middle and high schools, there is also a CD-ROM containing 12 detailed, cross-curricular lesson plans about Washington; many primary source documents relating to Washington and his times; images of Washington, including other portraits; and illustrated biographical information about Washington and his presidency.

Q: We just received the portrait and it's fabulous! How can we thank you?

A: We'd love for you to email photos and notes to us at education@mountvernon.org. Please indicate whether we have permission to publish your photos on our website for educational and promotional purposes.

Q. Does Mount Vernon’s Education Department have a template outline for how a portrait might be celebrated and/or unveiled at a school?  We would like to see what creative “best practices” other schools have used for a really meaningful ceremony.

A. Yes, Mount Vernon’s Education Department can provide guidance as to celebrations that they know about, or introductions to schools who have recently held an especially successful unveiling.