MOUNT VERNON, Va. – George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens begins its summer schedule on April 1 by welcoming visitors from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., making it one of the few early-opening attractions in the Washington, D.C. area.  Summer hours are in effect through August 31.  In addition to extended hours, April 1 marks the season opening of the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site and George Washington’s Gristmill.  Potomac River sightseeing cruises, special walking tours on slave life and gardens and landscapes, and a daily tribute at the tomb of George and Martha Washington also begin on the first of April. The spring activities at Mount Vernon are included in admission with the exception of the Gristmill and sightseeing cruises, which require an additional fee.

At the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site, visitors can crack corn, hoe the fields, plant crops, learn about the animals and tour the re-created 16-sided barn George Washington designed.  Every Friday through Sunday (April only) visitors can take a wagon ride at the Pioneer Farmer site from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  On weekdays, livestock including sheep, mules, horses, and oxen will be on display and working at the Pioneer Farmer site through June. Other activities at the site include demonstrating how wool is prepared and how fields were plowed in the 18^th century. Activities vary by day. In May visitors can see sheep-shearing demonstrations (Friday-Sunday only) and Mount Vernon horses are featured during wheat treading demonstrations July 4 through October.

Tours of slave life and gardens and landscapes enrich the visitor experience by providing in-depth knowledge of these fascinating subjects during 30-minute guided walking tours.  Slave Life at Mount Vernon explores the lives and contributions of the slaves who lived at Mount Vernon.  Tours are offered daily at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.  The Garden and Landscape Tour highlights Washington’s creative design for his gardens at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. daily.

George Washington’s Gristmill allows visitors to see an 18^th-century water-powered mill in operation, discover how it works and learn how this particular mill played an important role in George Washington’s vision for America’s future.  Early-American millers reveal Washington’s innovative approach to farming as they grind wheat into flour just as it was done more than 200 years ago.  Cornmeal, ground and bagged at the Gristmill, is available for sale at the Gristmill Shop.  The Gristmill, located three miles from the Mount Vernon Estate on Route 235, is open daily through October, 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.  Tickets to the Gristmill are available at Mount Vernon’s Main Gate or at the Gristmill Shop, and may be combined with admission to the Estate for an additional $2.00 for adults and $1.50 for children (6-11). Tickets for the Gristmill only are $4.00 for adults and $2.00 for children (6-11). Children ages 5 and under are free.

Potomac River sightseeing cruises offer a refreshing opportunity to explore Mount Vernon from a different view with a 40-minute narrated excursion aboard the Spirit of Mount Vernon or Miss Christin Tuesday through Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Tickets for sightseeing cruises are $9.00 for adults and $5.00 for children (6-11) in addition to Estate admission. Children ages 5 and under are free.

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Events, programs, and activities are subject to change.

Public Information: 703-780-2000; 703-799-8697 (TDD); www.mountvernon.org

Since 1860, over 80 million visitors have made George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens the most popular historic home in America.  Through thought-provoking tours, entertaining events, and stimulating educational programs on the Estate and in classrooms across the nation, Mount Vernon strives to preserve George Washington’s place in history as “First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen.”  Mount Vernon is owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, America’s oldest national preservation organization, founded in 1853.  A picturesque drive to the southern end of the scenic George Washington Memorial Parkway, Mount Vernon is located just 16 miles from the nation’s capital. 

Hours of operation: April-August, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; March, September, October, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; November – February, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Regular admission rates: adults, $13.00; senior citizens, $12.00; children age 6-11, when accompanied by an adult, $6.00; and children under age 5, FREE.  Admission fees, restaurant and retail proceeds, along with private donations, support the operation and restoration of Mount Vernon.