For Immediate Release
February 21, 2008
Digital Images Available
Media Contact:
Emily Coleman Dibella (703) 799-8607
edibella@mountvernon.org
MOUNT VERNON, Va. – More than 17,000 visitors came to George Washington's home to celebrate the national observation of Washington’s birthday on Monday, February 18. Legally named "George Washington's Birthday", the holiday popularly - but incorrectly - identified as "President's Day" saw a record-setting number of visitors since Mount Vernon began recording attendance on this holiday in 1995 (prior to 1995 records were kept of monthly attendance only). The figure of 17,442 eclipsed the previous record of 17,249 set on this day in 1999, the bicentennial year that commemorated Washington's death. "It is encouraging that so many people wanted to pay tribute to George Washington on the holiday that honors him," said Jim Rees, executive director of Mount Vernon. "Visitors flocked to the Mansion and our new museum and education center that opened just a little over a year ago to learn more about the first American hero."
George Washington’s actual birthday is February 22. He was born in 1732.
Approximately 1 million visitors come to Mount Vernon each year. The Estate has welcomed more than 80 million over the years, making it the most popular historic home in America. The home of George Washington is owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, the first national women's organization which formed in 1853 to save Mount Vernon.
The Ford Orientation Center and the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center feature 25 galleries with over 700 artifacts, original movies, an immersive “snow” experience, and interactive exhibits. A new, temporary exhibition on presidential china opened in time for Washington's Birthday holiday and includes more than 100 pieces of porcelain used by 21 presidential administrations, from Washington to Ronald Reagan. "Setting the President's Table: American Presidential China from the Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Collection" is co-organized by Mount Vernon and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The Mount Vernon Estate includes the Mansion, original outbuildings, George and Martha Washington's tomb, a working farm, animals, a slave cabin and slave quarters, greenhouse, distillery and gristmill. George Washington's Distillery & Gristmill are located three miles from the main Estate and open March 15 (through October 31).
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Events, programs, and activities are subject to change.
Public Information: 703-780-2000; 703-799-8697 (TDD); www.mountvernon.org
Since 1860, over 80 million visitors have made George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens the most popular historic home in America. Through thought-provoking tours, entertaining events, and stimulating educational programs on the Estate and in classrooms across the nation, Mount Vernon strives to preserve George Washington’s place in history as “First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen.” Mount Vernon is owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, America’s oldest national preservation organization, founded in 1853. A picturesque drive to the southern end of the scenic George Washington Memorial Parkway, Mount Vernon is located just 16 miles from the nation’s capital.
Hours of operation: April-August, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; March, September, October, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; November – February, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular admission rates: adults, $13.00; senior citizens, $12.00; children age 6-11, when accompanied by an adult, $6.00; and children under age 5, FREE. Admission fees, restaurant and retail proceeds, along with private donations, support the operation and restoration of Mount Vernon.
