The Washingtons greet visitors to the Ford Orientation Center

With a comprehensive movie and exhibitions, the Ford Orientation Center will give visitors an overview of the Mount Vernon experience while dispelling the elder statesman icon and introducing the real George Washington – a dynamic, fascinating hero – prior to touring the estate.

The Ford Orientation Center is made possible by the generous support of Ford Motor Company. Through support of this facility, the company continues its longstanding partnership with Mount Vernon, which began with the donation of Mount Vernon's first fire engine in 1923. “Ford Motor Company’s support of Mount Vernon started with Henry Ford,” said James C. Rees, executive director of Mount Vernon. “It continues with the Ford Orientation Center, a vital resource which will be the gateway for generations of young Americans to learn about George Washington.”

Lobby of Ford Orientation Center

“Mount Vernon plays a vital role in preserving and celebrating America’s rich heritage for visitors, and since 1923, Ford Motor Company has had the honor of partnering with Mount Vernon to support their compelling programs,” said Sandra E. Ulsh, President, Ford Motor Company Fund. “At Ford Fund, education is our top priority, and we are proud to continue our relationship with Mount Vernon by supporting the Ford Orientation Center, an innovative education facility, which will help illuminate America’s remarkable history for diverse audiences.”

Ford Motor Company Fund

Ford Motor Company's support of Mount Vernon began with the donation of its first fire engine in 1923.

Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, supports programs that enhance and enrich the communities where Ford Motor Company does business. Ford Motor Company Fund is committed to creating educational opportunities that stimulate creativity and promote cultural diversity, and Ford’s support for the creation of the Ford Orientation Center is part of the company's longstanding commitment to education and the exploration of our nation’s heritage.

In 2004, Ford Motor Company Fund contributed more than $70 million to educational initiatives and cultural programs, including nationally touring exhibitions and performing arts events. In the Washington, D.C. area, Ford has also recently supported a wide range of arts and education initiatives, including two national traveling exhibitions developed with the Smithsonian Institution, Our Journeys/Our Stories and Retratos: 2,000 Years of Latin American Portraits and Enterprising Women: 250 Years of Women in Business, presented at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. More information on programs made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund is available online.

Learn more about the Ford Orientation Center