Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon is open every day including Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

A visit to Mount Vernon begins at the Ford Orientation Center. A 20-minute action-adventure movie, We Fight to be Free, is shown in a pair of luxury theaters. The film depicts a heroic and charismatic Washington at pivotal moments in his life.

The centerpiece of a visit is seeing George Washington's home; an original building filled with 18th-century treasures, many of them owned by Washington. The Mansion house sits high above the Potomac River with a stunning view of the Maryland shore.

The Pioneer Farmer site

Forty-five acres of the estate are open to the public. A spectacular view of the Potomac River from the Mansion's piazza transports visitors back in time. Four gardens showcase heirloom plants known to have been at Mount Vernon in the late 1700s. Washington himself designed the landscape which includes 13 trees that stand today as the last living witnesses of Washington's lifetime.

Children love the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer exhibition, a four-acre demonstration farm that features a recreation of Washington's 16-sided treading barn. The "Hands-on History Exhibit," presented May 29 - September 6 is full of interactive games and activities for children of all ages. Be sure to visit our Calendar of Events to see many other special events and seasonal activities.

The Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center opened on October 27, 2006. Twenty-three theater and gallery experiences -- many of them with interactive technology -- illuminste the detailed story of Washington's life, including his military and political careers.

Washington's Distillery

George Washington's Distillery & Gristmill is located on Route 235, three miles south of the Estate and requires separate admission. The water-powered mill is operated by millers in colonial attire who explain how the mill works and the role it played in Washington's entrepreneurial farming operation. The Distillery demonstrates 18th-century techniques and includes five copper stills. Open March 15 through October 31, 2008. Additional fee. 

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