For Immediate Release May 24, 2005

Media Contact: Melissa Wood, 703.799.5203

mwood@mountvernon.org

MOUNT VERNON, Va. – Historic Mount Vernon is a must-see this summer with hands-on activities and seasonal areas of the estate open and bustling with action! Through August 31st, Mount Vernon welcomes visitors from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., making it one of the few early-opening attractions in the Washington, D.C. area. In addition to extended hours, summer also ushers in the opening of the Hands-on-History Exhibit for children, the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site and George Washington’s Gristmill. Potomac River sightseeing cruises and special walking tours on slave life and gardens and landscapes are more fun summer opportunities offered through August 31st.

The Hands-on-History exhibit turns children of all ages into cultural detectives who learn about early American life. Carding and spinning wool, cross-mending artifacts, using 18th-century tools, constructing wooden buckets, dressing up in colonial clothing, and playing colonial games are some of the interactive components of this popular activity offered May 28 – September 5.

Other features of the exhibit include: “Measure Up to George Washington,” a life-size image of George Washington placed next to a colorful ruler, which allows children to measure up to the master of Mount Vernon; “Working at Mount Vernon 200 Years Ago,” an exhibit where children learn the daily tasks of estate upkeep; and “How Do We Learn About George Washington at Mount Vernon?,” an archeology site where children can become archeologists themselves and play archeology bingo. The exhibit is open daily, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

At the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site, visitors can crack corn, build a fence, hoe the fields, harvest crops, learn about the animals and tour the re-created 16-sided barn George Washington designed. Mount Vernon horses are featured during wheat treading demonstrations July 4 through October.

Tours of slave life and gardens and landscapes enrich the visitor experience by providing in-depth knowledge of these fascinating subjects during 30-minute guided walking tours. Slave Life at Mount Vernon explores the lives and contributions of the slaves who lived at Mount Vernon. Tours are offered daily at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. The Gardens and Landscape Tour highlights Washington’s creative design for his gardens at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. daily.

George Washington’s Gristmill allows visitors to see an 18th-century water-powered mill in operation, discover how it works and learn how this particular mill played an important role in George Washington’s vision for America’s future. Colonial millers reveal Washington’s innovative approach to farming as they grind wheat into flour just as it was done more than 200 years ago. Cornmeal, ground and bagged at the Gristmill, is available for sale at the Gristmill Shop. The Gristmill, located three miles from the Mount Vernon Estate on Route 235, is open daily through October, 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. Additional charge to Estate admission.

Potomac River sightseeing cruises offer a refreshing opportunity to explore Mount Vernon from a different view with a 30-minute narrated excursion aboard the Potomac Spirit or Miss Christin Tuesday through Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Additional charge to Estate admission.

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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 1858, millions of visitors have made George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and 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, $11.00; senior citizens, $10.50; children age 6-11, when accompanied by an adult, $5.00; and children under age 5, FREE. Admission fees, restaurant and retail proceeds, along with private donations, support the operation and restoration of Mount Vernon.