You must set your browser to enable Javascript in order to access certain functions of this site, including the purchase of tickets.

Account Sign In

Enter your George Washington's Mount Vernon username.
Enter the password that accompanies your username.

Register Account

Spaces are allowed; punctuation is not allowed except for periods, hyphens, and underscores.
A valid e-mail address. All e-mails from the system will be sent to this address. The e-mail address is not made public and will only be used if you wish to receive a new password or wish to receive certain news or notifications by e-mail.
Please enter your e-mail address to continue. After your order is submitted, an e-mail with a Username and Password will be sent to you for future logins to your online account.

Welcome.

You are signed in as:

Sign OutMy Account

Close

Register

Shopping Bag

My Day Planner

National Thanksgiving Turkey to Live at Mount Vernon Following White House Pardon

Fri, 11/18/2011

For Immediate Release
November 18, 2011
Digital images available

Media Contact:
Melissa Wood (703) 799-5203
mwood@mountvernon.org

National Thanksgiving Turkey to Live at Mount Vernon Following White House Pardon

Welcoming Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on Wed, Nov. 23

Mount Vernon, VA - Immediately following President Obama’s “pardon” of the National Thanksgiving Turkey Wednesday, November 23, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, Museum & Gardens will welcome the turkey with a ceremony featuring a trumpet fanfare and proclamation read by Washington’s farm manager, “James Anderson” at 12:30 p.m. The turkey will arrive to the front of the Mansion in a horse-drawn carriage guided by staff dressed in 18th-century costumes for the ceremony. 
 
The turkey will be on display for visitors during “Christmas at Mount Vernon”, a daily program that takes place November 25 through January 6. He will reside in a custom-made enclosure situated near Aladdin, a camel who represents the camel George Washington had on the grounds to entertain visitors during Christmas of 1787.
 
After the holiday season, the turkey will live at Mount Vernon’s nationally-recognized livestock facility. 
 
It is especially appropriate that Mount Vernon was selected to house the National Thanksgiving Turkey as George Washington issued the first proclamation for a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789.
###
 
Media RSVP to Melissa Wood at mwood@mountvernon.org or 703-799-5203.
Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the ceremony for setup.