Open 365 days a year, Mount Vernon is located just 15 miles south of Washington DC.
From the mansion to lush gardens and grounds, intriguing museum galleries, immersive programs, and the distillery and gristmill. Spend the day with us!
Discover what made Washington "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen".
The Mount Vernon Ladies Association has been maintaining the Mount Vernon Estate since they acquired it from the Washington family in 1858.
Need primary and secondary sources, videos, or interactives? Explore our Education Pages!
The Washington Library is open to all researchers and scholars, by appointment only.
This page provides resources accompanying the Slavery and Freedom in the 19th Century Galleries in the Lives Bound Together Virtual Exhibit. It contains primary and secondary sources on events occurring after George and Martha Washington's Deaths within the enslaved community at Mount Vernon. Use these resources to aid exhibit exploration, learn more about the system of slavery, and find useful learning materials.
When George Washington was dying, he chose this will to be enacted after his death. The will stated that all enslaved people he outright owned would be freed after Martha's death.
Unlike George Washington, Martha Washington did not seem to question the system of slavery. When she died, she chose not to free the enslaved people that she outright owned in her will.
After the Washington's deaths, the enslaved population at Mount Vernon was divided as certain family members were freed, while others were kept under bondage.
Learn more about how the news of freedom spread with this short video.
Click the link to learn about how Mount Vernon interpreted enslavement at Washington's Estate
