For Immediate Release
March 18, 2008
Digital images available
Media Contact: Melissa Wood (703) 799-5203
mwood@mountvernon.org
Mount Vernon, VA – 11 million students from 38 states will meet the real Martha Washington during a live broadcast from Historic Mount Vernon’s Distance Learning Center on March 25, at 1:00 p.m. The broadcast includes two living history portrayals by “Martha Washington”, who will answer questions submitted by students prior to the broadcast. Contributing to the discussion, historian Cokie Roberts will reveal details about the fascinating life of Martha Washington. Through the distance learning programs, students who have never visited Mount Vernon can now experience living history without leaving the classroom. An estimated 45 million students have participated in Mount Vernon’s previous four distance learning programs.
This informative and entertaining program, designed for students in the third grade through fifth grade, is scheduled to be shown in more than 17,000 schools. Registration for the program is free and accepted until the day of the broadcast. Cable and public broadcasting stations are also scheduled to pick up the program, bringing this special half-hour program to all ages.
“The Real Martha Washington” program takes place in the Distance Learning Center, housed in the Donald W. Reynolds Education Center. The center’s inaugural distance learning program “The Real George Washington” was hosted by historian David McCullough and moderated by Cokie Roberts. Since opening in October 2006, Mount Vernon has hosted four distance learning programs: “The Real George Washington”, “Slavery at Mount Vernon”, “Seed to Table”, and “History to Hollywood” reaching an average of 17,000 schools and school districts per program. The special center connects communities to Mount Vernon through a series of virtual programs and teacher workshops focusing on Washington’s life and inspiring example as a leader of character.
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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.
