Immersive “George Washington: A Revolutionary Life” Exhibition Debuts as Mount Vernon’s “Birthday Gift to America” for the Nation’s 250th
Mount Vernon, VA, April 22, 2026 — George Washington’s Mount Vernon invites members of the media to an exclusive preview and ribbon cutting of its fully reimagined Education Center, debuting the landmark exhibition “George Washington: A Revolutionary Life” on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, this exhibition is at the center of the national conversation about leadership, democracy, and identity, offering a powerful, visual way to understand the founding era through Washington’s life and decisions. This transformative experience is Mount Vernon’s “birthday gift to America,” a $20 million investment in civic education, supported by philanthropic funding and designed to bring the story of George Washington to life for a new generation.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Exclusive Media Preview – “George Washington: A Revolutionary Life” New Education Center
When: Thursday, June 11, 2026 | 11:00 AM. Press can begin setup at 10:00 AM
Where: George Washington’s Mount Vernon | 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway | Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121
This exclusive preview offers early access, compelling visuals, and timely storylines tied to America 250, including:
- A major new national cultural investment debuting during the Semiquincentennial
- Fresh angles on leadership, democracy, and civic education
- Highly visual, immersive experiences ideal for broadcast, digital, and feature storytelling
MEDIA RSVP
Credentialed media should RSVP to Lauren Herba at [email protected] by Tuesday, June 9.
MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS & VISUAL OPPORTUNITIES
- Exclusive tour of a 21,000-square-foot, fully reimagined Education Center
- First look at “George Washington: A Revolutionary Life” exhibition
- Access to nine galleries and six immersive media environments
- Filming and photography inside newly unveiled exhibition spaces
- Appearance by Mount Vernon’s George Washington reenactor
- Interviews with Mount Vernon leadership and historians:
- Doug Bradburn, President and CEO
- Allison Wickens, Vice President for Education
- Adam Erby, Executive Director of Historic Preservation and Collections
- Lindsay Chervinsky, Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library
- Amanda Isaac, Chief Curator of Fine and Decorative Arts
EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS
- A dramatic Great Hall connecting Washington’s defining leadership moments to modern civic life
- Immersive experiences including a 4D theater, digital storytelling environments, and interactive galleries that place visitors inside Washington’s world
- Opportunities to “overhear” conversations from the founding era through innovative media installations
- A rotating display of founding-era documents, connecting visitors directly to the birth of the nation
- Rare and original objects from George and Martha Washington, more than ever before displayed
- Hands-on learning spaces and interactive exhibits designed for today’s students and families
The new Education Center builds on a series of major investments at Mount Vernon, including the $40 million Mansion Revitalization Project and ongoing enhancements to the estate’s historic gardens and grounds. Together, these efforts ensure that Mount Vernon remains the premier destination for understanding the American founding, along with the character and leadership of George Washington.
Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, is owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, the oldest national historic preservation organization in the United States. The estate is open to visitors and includes the Mansion, a museum and education center, gardens, tombs, a working farm, a functioning distillery, and a gristmill, as well as the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon. Learn more at www.mountvernon.org.
