Open 365 days a year, Mount Vernon is located just 15 miles south of Washington DC.
From the mansion to lush gardens and grounds, intriguing museum galleries, immersive programs, and the distillery and gristmill. Spend the day with us!
Discover what made Washington "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen".
The Mount Vernon Ladies Association has been maintaining the Mount Vernon Estate since they acquired it from the Washington family in 1858.
Need primary and secondary sources, videos, or interactives? Explore our Education Pages!
The Washington Library is open to all researchers and scholars, by appointment only.
The past directors, or the equivalent, of George Washington's Mount Vernon shared the same goal, to preserve and restore the estate and to educate people about George Washington’s life. However, they all went about it, in different ways.
Upton Herbert was the first superintendent of George Washington’s Mount Vernon and served for 13 years, from 1859 to 1872. His work centered on the upkeep of Mount Vernon. Herbert was originally suggested for the position by John Augustine Washington III.
When James Hollingsworth was hired the role of superintendent was expanded to include acting as the general manager of the estate.
Harrison Dodge is the longest serving superintendent (or equivalent) of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. He was appointed in 1885, when he was in his late twenties, and remained in the position for 52 years.
For almost 40 years, Charles Cecil Wall led Mount Vernon. His devotion earned him a tribute in 1975 by the Regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association who “designated [him] as Dean of Historic Estate administrators.”
Harrison Symmes joined George Washington’s Mount Vernon on January 1, 1977 as resident director and bought a fresh new perspective to the organization.
John Castellani joined the Mount Vernon staff in 1967 and in 1979 was appointed resident director. His priority as director was to identify and expand additional revenue sources and oversee the inaugural capital campaign.
John Harbour joined the Mount Vernon staff in June of 1984 was given two mandates upon arriving: “(1) improve the management of Mount Vernon, and (2) develop expanded educational programs.”
In 1987, Neil Horstman began his work at Mount Vernon and expanded both the archaeology and education initiatives. Visitors to George Washington’s Mount Vernon were now presented with a wide variety of activities, in addition to touring the Mansion.
During James Rees’s time as president many major building projects undertaken by the organization. Public programs and educational initiatives were also expanded.
Curt Viebranz joined George Washington’s Mount Vernon in 2012 and worked to fine-tune one of the educational goals of the organization.
