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.
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The Washington Library is open to all researchers and scholars, by appointment only.
A gown owned by Martha Washington that had been refashioned at least once. Courtesy of the New Hampshire Historical Society.
Mount Vernon’s historic costumer, Kathrin Breitt Brown, and journeywoman mantua maker Brooke Welborn of Burnley & Trowbridge will refashion two of Mrs. Washington’s gowns into new garments for character interpreter Timbila Kabre’s portrayal of Ona Judge.
The practice of remaking gowns for other people and refashioning gowns into the latest styles for oneself is well documented in the 18th century.
For this weekend, the skirts of one gown will be refashioned into a 1790s style jacket, and the entirety of another gown will be altered to fit both a different person, Judge, and a later 1790s style.
Simultaneously, using historical methods, Mount Vernon sewing circle volunteers will work on caps and aprons. These accessories will be used for the upcoming cohort of Historical Trades summer interns.
The shirts sewn during this event will be worn by the character interpreters representing:
Men's Shirt (Linen, wood, silk.) Circa 1750. Courtesy of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Object #2023-103
Ona Judge was born into enslavement and made to serve Martha Washington as her maid. In 1796, Ona escaped from the executive residence.
Learn more about the racialized underpinnings of fashion.
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