Is Mount Vernon Burning?
Saturday, April 12 & Sunday, April 13 2008
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate
Included with Regular Admission
In January of 1781 British armed forces under the turncoat General Benedict Arnold entered Virginia in strength and ravaged much of the countryside. In April, as part of this invasion, His Majesty’s sloop of war, the Savage, sailed up the Potomac burning and pillaging rebel American properties along its shores and laying at anchor April 12, 13 & 14 just 1 mile upriver from General George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate.
The British commander of the ship, Capt. Tomas Graves, sent a message to Lund Washington, the General’s cousin and Manager of the Estate, demanding provisions – and threatening to burn Mount Vernon if refused.
What happened during the three critical days that Mount Vernon lay under the guns of the British Navy? How did Lund manage to save the Estate? What were the actions of the Enslaved at Mount Vernon with the possibility of freedom by joining the British available to them?
Find out when the Living History program, Is Mount Vernon Burning?, is presented on April 12 & 13.
Living History Performances:
Wharf/Beach @ Pioneer Farm
• 1:30 - Rule, Britannia! – A landing party of His Majesty’s Marines and Light Infantry splash ashore, demanding provisions and offering freedom to any of the Enslaved who join them.
Slave Cabin @ Pioneer Farm
• 2:00 – A Chance to be Free? – Word of the British landing and offer of freedom is debated in the Slave Quarters.
Greenhouse @ Upper Garden, Mansion
• 3:00 – The General's Reaction – Lund Washington speaks of the General’s reaction to the method used to save Mount Vernon.
• 3:30 – Out of Bondage? – Two of the Enslaved, Daniel and Esther, recount their bids for freedom – one successful, one not.
• 4:00 – American Macbeth – A presentation on the role of General Benedict Arnold, onetime favorite and friend to General Washington, in the British Virginia Campaign of 1781 – a campaign that ultimately leads to American victory at Yorktown.
Encounter Interpretation
Wharf/Beach & River End of Farm @ Pioneer Farm
• 9:00 am – 5:00 pm –When not performing in the 1:15 pm scripted program, the British Navy & Marine Living History Interpreters will give third person interpretation of a landing encampment on the east end of the Pioneer Farm and of 18th Century ship’s boats at the Wharf.
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| British Marines fire a signal shot from ship |
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| Royal Navy rows for a landing at Mount Vernon |
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| Lund Washington rides to meet the British Landing |
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| British Marines landed at Mount Vernon |
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| A chance for freedom? Daniel and Esther debate running to the British |
The following organizations and individuals have been instumental in making this event happen:
18th Century Reproduction Boats:
Damian Siekonic - Privateer Media
http://www.privateermedia.com
John Taylor - 1st New Jersey Volunteers, gunboat Insolent
http://mysite.verizon.net/valachovic2/gallery.html
18th Century Living History Groups:
British Navy - HM Sloop Otter
http://www.virginiastatenavy.com
British Marines
http://www.geocities.com/britmarinecapt/britmarine.html
