Mount Vernon Blog

Ductwork Removal from the Cellar

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

The Preservation and Project Management teams reached an important milestone by overseeing the removal of the existing ductwork in the Mansion cellar. The removal of this ductwork will make way for its replacement with a more efficient HVAC (heating/ventilation/air conditioning) system, which will provide climate control in the cellar for the first…

Protecting the Vaughan Mantelpiece

Friday, April 05, 2024

In 1784, George Washington wrote to family and friends in search of a marble surround suitable for his "New Room." In response, Samuel Vaughan, a recent émigré, presented this mantelpiece depicting pastoral life that originated from his home in Essex, England. Ever since Washington installed the mantelpiece in 1786, it has served as the centerpiece…

Custis Wine Bottle Seal

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Archaeologists excavating in the Mansion cellar discovered a complete wine bottle seal (pictured above, at top) stamped “IOHN CUSTIS 1713.” John Custis was the father of Daniel Parke Custis, Martha Washington’s first husband. Learn More About the Custis Family   Mount Vernon archaeologists have now excavated three 1713 seals, in addition to four…

Evidence of a Dry Well Hoist

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

While performing excavations in the Mansion cellar, the Archaeological team uncovered evidence of two historic postholes, found in proximity to the dry well located directly beneath the New Room. A large cylindrical pit, the 22-foot-deep dry well was built to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the year, allowing for the storage of ice harvested…

Archaeology in the Cellar

Wednesday, March 06, 2024

Archaeology Technician Grace S. uses a Munsell Color book to document the colors of the soil in the Mansion cellar. The late-1770s drain is visible on the left.   If you haven’t seen the Archaeology team outside recently, that’s because they have moved inside! As part of the ongoing multi-year Mansion Revitalization Project, the team is currently…

The Copper and Slate Puzzle

Tuesday, March 05, 2024

At Mount Vernon, the Architecture and Archaeology teams often work together to solve puzzles. While excavating the North Grove (in preparation for the Mansion Revitalization Project), archaeologists found a significant number of copper sheets and slate fragments. The slate fragment pictured above has a nail hole, which is characteristic of roofing…

Layers of History

Monday, March 04, 2024

As the Archaeology team continued excavations north of the piazza (in preparation for the Mansion Revitalization Project), they uncovered a fascinating record of the Mansion’s evolution over time. This “stratigraphic sequence” (seen below) details the construction history of the Mansion and adjacent landscape—including the addition of the New Room and…

Dry Well Assessment

Monday, February 19, 2024

In 1785, George Washington had a dry well built in the Mansion cellar. A large cylindrical pit, the 22-foot-deep dry well was built to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the year, allowing for the storage of ice harvested from the Potomac River by enslaved workers. This dry well, however, ultimately proved unsatisfactory to Washington, who…

Found on the Ground

Thursday, February 08, 2024

While processing artifacts recovered from the North Grove excavation (in preparation for the Mansion Revitalization Project), archaeological lab analysts made an interesting discovery: a piece of 18th-century window glass etched with a cursive "N," excavated about 15 feet northwest of the New Room's Venetian window. Notably, other signatures etched…

Ready, Set, Gown

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Staff and volunteers attempt to create a garment in two days. Can they stitch in time? Mount Vernon’s historical costumer, Kathrin Breitt Brown, and journeywoman mantua maker, Brooke Welborn of the Burnley & Trowbridge Co., created two 18th-century gowns during two “Gown in a Weekend” public events held in the spring of 2023. From draping and cutting…