Mount Vernon Blog

Stolen Tomahawk Gifted by George Washington Returns to New York Museum

Friday, July 27, 2018

An 18th-century Native American pipe tomahawk supposedly given to Seneca chief Cornplanter by President George Washington in 1792 has been returned to the New York State Museum. According to the Times Union, the tomahawk was stolen from the Albany Museum between 1947 and 1950 and has been in the possession of private collectors. An anonymous collector…

Ice Cream and Mosquitoes: Summertime in Virginia

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

On the first day of summer, the collections staff prepared the Mansion for a new season—swapping the springtime food for summer delicacies and dishes. The scenarios in the Butler’s Pantry, Dining Room, Kitchen, Greenhouse Slave Quarters, and Washington Bedchamber reveal this seasonal change. Butler’s Pantry Dishes and tablewares used in earlier courses…

Podcast: Joe Stoltz on Washington the Surveyor

Thursday, July 19, 2018

As the third-born son, Washington needed a practical career for himself to make money. He read The Art of Surveying and Measuring Land, which helped solidify his future career path—first as a surveyor, then as a military officer. The Washington Library's digital historian, Joe Stoltz, was recently interviewed by the National Geospatial-Intelligence…

A Teacher’s Perspective: George Washington, the Presidency, and the 21st Century

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

By Andrew Lefer

The Bastille Key Case Conservation

Friday, July 13, 2018

The Marquis de Lafayette gifted the Bastille Key to George Washington in 1790. The key was showcased in Philadelphia before moving to Mount Vernon, where it hung in the central passage for generations of Washingtons. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BASTILLE KEY   While the Mansion was closed and the central passage was painted, the key and its original case…

A Magnificent Dream at Mount Vernon

Monday, July 09, 2018

Forty years ago, Chef Patrick O'Connell founded the Inn at Little Washington, located approximately 70 miles west of Mount Vernon. At age 17, according to local lore, a young George Washington surveyed the village of Little Washington, named its streets and danced in a ballroom now owned by the Inn. He has been a strong influence on O'Connell's vision…

Gift Guide for Father's Day

Monday, June 11, 2018

Need a gift for dad? Check out these Father's Day gifts inspired by the Father of Our Country.

Alexander Hamilton: Washington's Military Family

Tuesday, June 05, 2018

By Joseph Stoltz, digital historian Thanks to the hit play Hamilton: An American Musical, we know that Alexander Hamilton was George Washington’s “right hand man,” but what did Hamilton actually do? You, dear reader, proudly announce, “Hamilton was Washington’s aide-de-camp!” Bravo! But what is it that an aide actually does? Now you may be starting…

"Mrs. Washington" on Martha's Summer Activites

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

by Elizabeth Keaney Portraying young Martha Washington during the last four weeks has given me incredible insight into life of the mistress of Mount Vernon. While researching for this role, I was curious how she celebrated her birthday on June 2. While my search for information was unsuccessful, I was able to construct a schedule for how she spent…

Dairies at Mount Vernon

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Mount Vernon's Pioneer Farm is bustling with activity at this time of year. Beginning June 2, the historic trades interpreters will demonstrate how to create dairy products with 18th-century methods. While the team uses store-bought milk and cream in these demonstrations, Washington would have used milk from his cattle to make cheese, butter, and ice…