Mount Vernon Blog

Colonial Superstitions

Saturday, October 27, 2018

Superstitions: beliefs or notions not based on reason or knowledge in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding, or the like. Many of the common superstitions we recognize today--walking under a ladder, breaking a mirror, opening an umbrella indoors--originated well before Washington’s time. The American…

Guide Dogs Visit Mount Vernon

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

As a dog-friendly site, Mount Vernon welcomes pups and their humans to explore the estate. In early October, the estate welcomed a special group of canines from the Guide Dog Foundation. These six labs/lab mixes and a poodle practiced good behavior in challenging situations to prepare them for their future placements as guide dogs. From left to right: Clark:…

At Mount Vernon, we have re-created the unique wheat treading process that George Washington used during his day. These demonstrations are offered July through October at the 16-Sided Barn. In preparation for these demonstrations, our historic tradesmen ventured to an Amish farm in rural Maryland to gather wheat similar to the grains of Washington's…

Boiling, Baking, and Curling 18th-Century Wigs

Tuesday, October 09, 2018

Excavated from the South Grove, these five objects offer an interesting chance to explore 18th-century life and how archaeologists attempt to learn more about it through material evidence. by Sean Devlin, Curator of Archaeological Collections Measuring roughly two inches in length when complete, these artifacts are fragments of wig curlers. The curlers…

"On December 15, 1795, the Senate administered a stinging blow to one of the nation's most distinguished "founding fathers." By a vote of 10 to 14, it rejected President George Washington's nomination of South Carolina's John Rutledge to be Chief Justice of the United States." From the United States Senate Click to read the full article

Why Make Wine in Virginia?

Thursday, October 04, 2018

For more than 20 years, Mount Vernon has hosted a wine festival to celebrate the rich tradition of Virginia wine. Since the first colonists arrived, viticulturists—or grape growers—struggled to grow wine grapes on Virginian soil. Even skilled agriculturalists George Washington and Thomas Jefferson tried and failed many times to grow wine grapes at their…

Mary Ball Washington's Battle with Breast Cancer

Monday, October 01, 2018

By Mary V. Thompson In the spring of 1787, as George Washington was preparing to leave Mount Vernon to attend the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, an express rider arrived, carrying an emergency summons to Fredericksburg, Virginia. In telling a friend about his change of plans, Washington noted that “not a moment is to be lost,” because his…

Why the Washington Library Matters

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

by Kevin Butterfield, Executive Director of the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington I am passionate about the story of the American Founding. I cannot imagine a fictional story with more drama and unpredictability, tragedy and triumph, complexity and openness to diverse interpretations, or with a more fascinating cast…

More than Reconstruction

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Throughout the summer, volunteer boat builders from the Alexandria Seaport Foundation have been constructing two punts at Mount Vernon’s Pioneer Farm. These small boats resemble a punt built by Sambo Anderson, an enslaved carpenter at Mount Vernon. As the team worked, they interacted with guests and taught them about the construction process, Anderson…

A Teacher’s Perspective: George Washington and the Principles of the Constitution

Monday, September 10, 2018

By Sean Brennan, American Government teacher, Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School in Broadview Heights, OH My involvement in the George Washington Teacher Institute Residential Program has had a dramatic impact on my teaching and my students’ achievement. Learning from top scholars at the home of the Father of our Country was truly inspiring…