Lives Bound Together is an innovative way to teach the history of enslavement and plantation life in the 18th century. Use these resources when using the virtual Lives Bound Together Exhibit in your classroom!

Inquiry Questions to Consider

Use these inquiry questions to spark analysis while teaching with Lives Bound Together.

How was Washington's world affected by the system of slavery?
In what ways did Mount Vernon rely on enslavement to function?
What did daily life look like for a person who was enslaved at Mount Vernon? Why might these days look different between individuals in the Mount Vernon enslaved community?
What forms of resistance - both big and small - might an enslaved person have taken against their owner?
What were some key traditions, celebrations, and practices of the enslaved community?
How do we know about the enslaved population that lived at Mount Vernon?
What happened to the enslaved community at Mount Vernon after the Washingtons’ deaths?

How to Navigate

Use this link to access information on how to navigate the virtual exhibit, as it appeared while on display from 2016 - 2020.

View the instructions

Visit In-Person

Explore the lives of the enslaved people at Mount Vernon with this in-depth exhibit, located in the greenhouse quarters and included with admission.

Visit Today

Lives Bound Together Infographic

This infographic explores the daily lives of the people enslaved at Mount Vernon.

Lives Bound Together Infographic

Interactive Primary Sources

Formatted for students, these primary sources help us understand the lives of the enslaved community at Mount Vernon.

Primary Sources

Lesson Plans

View the lesson plans associated with enslavement. Each plan contains primary sources, student handouts, teacher background information, and much more.

View the Lesson Plans