George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens offers a wide variety of field trip experiences. Designed to help you meet curriculum standards, these programs focus on George Washington and life in the 18th century. Each program is offered at specific times of the year, and most programs have a $30.00 non-refundable program fee in addition to Regular Student Admission. Please use our Online Reservations Form to schedule your program.
Program Descriptions
Once Upon a Time at Mount Vernon (grades K-1)
Younger students will enjoy these stories from Mount Vernon's past. Held in our Hands-on-History room, each 20-minute storytelling session will include an Aesop's Fable of the kind that were commonly used to teach and entertain children in the 18th century; a Mount Vernon storybook reading; and a storyboard that will actively engage students in building a story. This program has no fee except Regular Student Admission, but reservations must be made using our Online Reservations Form.
Availability: January 4- February 16, 2010
Group Size: 20 students
Seed to Table: Farming at Mount Vernon (grades K-2)
Through stories, hands-on activities, and inquiry-based discussion, students will learn about George Washington's role as a farmer and businessman and explore how farmers use natural and human resources. While actively exploring the Pioneer Farm site and reconstructed slave cabin, students will learn that George Washington was a farmer and discuss what crops he grew and why. They will meet a Mount Vernon animal and learn about the jobs of both people and animals on the farm. Finally, they will examine simple farm tools to learn how they were used to improve farming. The Seed to Table Teacher Manual should be reviewed before arrival for background information, lesson plans, and classroom activities.
Availability: March 15- April 2; May 3- June 11, 2010
Length: 70 minutes from arrival at Pioneer Farm site.
Group Size: 30 students
Fee: Regular Student Admission plus $30.00 non-refundable program fee
Down on the Farm (grades 3-5 & 6-8)
George Washington's belief that America's future economic success lay in agriculture was integral to his vision for the new nation. In this program, students explore 18th-century economics, slavery, and farming at Mount Vernon. Through a visit to Mount Vernon's newly reconstructed slave cabin, there is also an exploration of the daily lives and work of the enslaved community. The Down on the Farm Teacher Instructions should be reviewed before arrival.
Availability: April 26- June 18, 2010
Length: 90 minutes from arrival at Pioneer Farm site.
Group Size: 30 students
Fee: Regular Student Admission plus $30.00 non-refundable program fee
Legends and Legacies: The Real George Washington (grades 3-8)
This guided tour takes students beyond the myths of cherry trees and wooden teeth to explore facts about George Washington's real character and accomplishments. While visiting the Mansion, the Slave Quarters, and Washington's Tomb, students will discover Washington the political and military leader, visionary farmer, family man, entrepreneur, architect, and slave owner.
Availability: November 16, 2008- February 12, 2010
Length: 90 minutes
Group Size: Maximum of five groups per school, maximum of each group is 30 people
Fee: Regular Student Admission plus $30.00 non-refundable program fee per group of 30
Student Tour of George Washington's Gristmill and Distillery (all grade levels)
Always looking for ways to expand the productivity and profit of his farms, Washington built a gristmill and later a distillery. He sold flour, corn meal, and whiskey locally and overseas. A tour of Washington's gristmill and distillery complex will help to round out your students' understanding of Washington's entrepreneurial vision for the new nation. During their tour of these two buildings, your students will also investigate the scientific processes of fermentation and distillation and discover how a system of gears makes an 18th-century water-powered gristmill work. Note: George Washington's Gristmill and Distillery complex is located three miles from the Mount Vernon Estate.
Availability: October 1- November 13, 2009; April 5- June 18, 2010
Length: 30 minutes
Fee: $0.50 per student if purchased along with with Regular Student Admission
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School Admission Estate Distillery/Gristmill
Student (grades K - 12) $7.00 $0.50
Chaperone (1 per 10 students) $7.00 $0.50
Additional Adults $13.00 $2.00
One teacher per class will receive a comp ticket automatically on the invoice. "Teacher Pass" Cards will no longer be mailed. An invoice and confirmation will be emailed within 3-5 business days when the Online Reservations Form is submitted. Program fees must be paid two weeks prior to program or reservation will be cancelled. Admission may be paid prior to arrival for quick ticket pick-up at the Group Tickets Window, or may be paid upon arrival. For further information, a self-guided walking tour of the grounds, reading list, and classroom activities, please see the Teacher's Guide to Mount Vernon.
For general student admission, please see School Visits for more information.
