The Spirit of Mount Vernon

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A celebration in support of Mount Vernon's education and historic preservation mission.

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Date

Location

George Washington's Mount Vernon, East Lawn

Time

6:30 p.m.

21st Spirit of Mount Vernon Raises $1 Million for Mount Vernon’s Mission

On behalf of the Regent and Vice Regents of the Mount Vernon’s Ladies’ Association, thank you to all of our sponsors and guests who attended and supported the 21st Annual Spirit of Mount Vernon on October 6, 2022.  The event raised more than $1 million for Mount Vernon’s mission of education, historic preservation, and the legacy of George Washington. Hip Hip Huzzah! This is a milestone for Mount Vernon’s largest annual fundraiser and it could not have been achieved without the generous support of so many. We have wonderful photographs of the evening that we hope you will share with your colleagues and guests.

We extend a special thank you to the event’s incredible 2022 Co-Chair team: Ed Gillespie, Sr. Executive Vice President, External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T; Michael Johnson, President & CEO, National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association; Scott Melville, President & CEO, Consumer Healthcare Products Association; and Jeff Shockey, Senior Vice President Global Government Relations, Raytheon Technologies. Mount Vernon is grateful for their extraordinary leadership and commitment to Mount Vernon’s mission!

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Save The Date

Thursday, October 5, 2023 for the 22nd Annual Spirit of Mount Vernon Sunset Reception and Dinner

For more information and to sponsor in 2023, please contact Tammy Eddy, Corporate Gifts Officer, at teddy@mountveron.org or 703.799.5075.

The Spirit of Mount Vernon

Please join us on Thursday, October 3, 2024 for the 23rd Spirit of Mount Vernon Sunset Reception and Dinner. This special, celebratory night supports Mount Vernon’s mission of education, historic preservation, and the legacy of George Washington. In 2023 the event reached a milestone with a sold-out evening hosting 950 guests under the tent.

As Mount Vernon begins a critical revitalization effort to secure the foundation of the Mount Vernon Mansion by the country’s semi-quincentennial in 2026, our goal is to raise over $1 million in 2024!

The Spirit of Mount Vernon welcomes guests from the government affairs, association, corporate, and consulting communities, along with policymakers for this popular annual event. Highlights include a sunset reception on the East Lawn overlooking the Potomac River, a patriotic moment with fireworks, dinner, and a live auction.

We hope you will join us for this iconic evening. Please mark your calendars and help us celebrate and support our foremost founding father’s leadership at his beloved home!

This event complies with Congressional and Administration ethics rules.

View 2023 Event Photos

The Spirit of Mount Vernon

Photographer: Dan Chung

History of the Event

In late September of 2001, the association community, with the leadership of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, came together to begin an annual event, the Spirit of Mount Vernon, in support of Mount Vernon’s education and historic preservation mission. Notably, the inaugural event was held just days after the events of 9-11 and in the aftermath of one of the most challenging times in the history of our great nation. 

As we celebrate this annual event, we reflect on the challenges our country has faced with an eye to the importance of Mount Vernon’s civics and educational mission. Thanks to the support of the government affairs community, the Spirit of Mount Vernon has become one of the most popular evenings on the Washington, D.C. social and charitable calendar and has become Mount Vernon’s single largest fundraiser.

Sponsor Benefits

Sponsor benefits include event participation and recognition, as well as estate benefits that can be utilized throughout the year.

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Spirit of Mount Vernon Proceeds

The proceeds from the Spirit of Mount Vernon supports our mission to preserve, restore, and manage the estate of George Washington to the highest standards and to educate visitors and people throughout the world about the life and legacies of George Washington so that his example of character and leadership will continue to inform and inspire future generations.

Presenting Sponsor

Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company

2024 Co-Chair Leadership

Healthcare Distribution Alliance

Chester “Chip” Davis, Jr., President & CEO

Healthcare Distribution Alliance

International Franchise Association

Matthew Haller, President & CEO

International Franchise Association

Hilton

Katherine Lugar, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs

Hilton

Mars, Inc.

Peter Rowan, Vice President U.S. Public Affairs

Mars, Inc.

Lineage

Michael Skahill, Director, Government Relations

Lineage

Platinum Sponsors

Anniversary Sponsors

Fox Corporation International Dairy Foods Association National Association of Realtors National Retail Federation Virginia Distillery Co.

Gold Sponsors

Co-Sponsors

American Bureau of Shipping American Council of Engineering Companies Associated Equipment Distributors Associated General Contractors Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Consumer Healthcare Products Association Cressy Family Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Five Guys Fragrance Creators Association The Honorable and Mrs. Edward W. Gillespie Healthcare Distribution Alliance The Heritage Foundation Hilton Holland & Knight International Franchise Association International Student House of Washington, D.C. K&L Gates LLP Main Street Media Group Mars, Incorporated National Confectioners Association National Drug & Alcohol Screening Association National Restaurant Association PNC Bank Subject Matter U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Double Patron Sponsors

Cigna Health Care Service Corporation Pharmaceutical Care Management Association

Patron Sponsors

Catoctin Creek Finseca

Mount Vernon Ladies' Association

The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association has owned and maintained George Washington’s Mount Vernon for more than 160 years.

Regent

Margaret Hartman Nichols
Regent
Maine

Vice Regents

Cameron Kock Mayer
Vice Regent for Louisiana

Maribeth Armstrong Borthwick
Vice Regent for California

Ann Haunschild Bookout
Vice Regent for Texas

 

Virginia Dawson Lane
Vice Regent for South Carolina

Laura Peebles Rutherford
Vice Regent for Alabama

Susan Marshall Townsend
Vice Regent for Delaware

Anne Neal Petri
Vice Regent for Wisconsin

Liz Rollins Mauran
Vice Regent for Rhode Island

Ann Cady Scott
Vice Regent for Missouri

Sarah Miller Coulson
Vice Regent for Pennsylvania

Andrea Notman Sahin
Vice Regent for Massachusetts

Catherine Hamilton Mayton
Vice Regent for Arkansas

Helen Herboth Laughery
Vice Regent for Wyoming

Catherine Marlette Waddell
Vice Regent for Illinois

Lucia Bosqui Henderson
Vice Regent for Virginia

Mary Lang Bishop
Vice Regent for Oregon

Elizabeth Medlin Hale
Vice Regent for Georgia

Ann Sherrill Pyne
Vice Regent for New York

Karen McCabe Kirby
Vice Regent for New Jersey

Hilary Carter West
Vice Regent for the District of Columbia

Adrian MacLean Jay
Vice Regent for Tennessee

Susan Brewster McCarthy
Vice Regent for Minnesota

Sarah Seaman Alijani
Vice Regent for Colorado

Carolyn Sherrill Fuller
Vice Regent for North Carolina

George Washington's Mount Vernon

George Washington’s skill as a general helped secure our independence. His leadership as our first president shaped this new nation. His enduring legacy continues to inspire us.

After falling into disrepair following his death in 1799, this historic property was rescued by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. They opened it to the public in 1860. It is now the most visited historic home in America.

As a private non-profit organization, Mount Vernon does not accept government funds. On-site sales and donations allow us to pursue our mission to teach the world about George Washington and preserve his beloved home for future generations.

Mount Vernon COVID Protocols:

Mount Vernon will follow Virginia’s COVID guidelines from the Virginia Governor’s Office:

“By Order of the Governor of Virginia, face masks are recommended indoors for all persons, vaccinated or unvaccinated. Face masks are required for all unvaccinated guests. Those who are not vaccinated are required to wear face coverings outdoors when social distancing is not possible.”

For the Spirit of Mount Vernon we recommend all guests who have been vaccinated to wear their masks outdoors as well, when social distancing is not possible.

MV staff and the event catering team will all be wearing masks. 

We will have extra masks available at registration for guests. We will also have “sanitizer” stations set up in areas of the event. The reception is outside on the east lawn and the dinner is in an outdoor tent. We expect at least one side of the tent to be open, with the possibility of two sides open depending on weather.

Questions?

Please contact us at spiritofmv@mountvernon.org. 

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