Meet People from Washington's World
Join our character interpreters in the Interpretive Center to hear their first-person recounting of life during the Revolutionary War.
General George Washington
Hear George Washington reflect on outfitting the troops, the condition of the Continental Army, and the challenges of taking command in 1775. (Nov. 15 - 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. & Nov. 16 - 10:30 a.m., 11:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.)
Baron von Steuben
Learn from General Baron von Steuben as he discusses how he helped prepare the Continental Army for war. (Nov. 15 - 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. & Nov. 16 - 11 a.m., 2 p.m.)
Marth Washington
Listen to Martha Washington explain how she supported the troops, the times she visited George Washington throughout the war, and her role in running the Mount Vernon estate during this time period. (Nov. 15 - 12:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.)
Eleanor Calvert Custis Stuart & Tobias Lear
Meet Eleanor Calvert Custis Stuart as she reflects on her marriage and life alongside Martha Washington’s son, John Parke Custis. (Nov. 16 - 10 a.m., 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.)
Hear what it was like working for George Washington from his personal secretary, Tobias Lear. (Nov. 15 & Nov. 16 - 12 p.m.)
Attend 18th-Century Demonstrations
See Bread Making by Our Resident Baker
On the 12-acre field, see our resident bread baker, Justin Cherry from Half Crown Bakehouse, demonstrate making a five-pound loaf of bread, which was a standard size to feed the Continental Army.
Hear the story of Christopher Ludwick, the Superintendent of Bakers for the Continental Army, and the importance of bakers in the Revolutionary War.
Observe How Colonial-era Clothing Was Made
Stop by the spinning house to learn about textiles in the 18th century as our historic trades interpreters demonstrate spinning and weaving–two steps of the process for making clothing.
Watch Sparks Fly at the Blacksmith Shop
Visit the blacksmith shop and watch our tradespeople recreate tools, utensils, and hardware to assist with preservation work and living history demonstrations around George Washington's estate.
Hear Music of the Revolution
On the bowling green, listen to our fifer play music from the revolutionary era using different fifes, flutes, and a drum. Watch as he demonstrates various 18th-century dances, such as the minuet, jig, and reel. (Nov. 15 - 10:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.)
Learn How A Winter Journey Changed the Revolution
Uncover Henry Knox's Epic Journey With Hands-On Objects
On the 12-acre field, examine primary source documents to find out what Henry Knox accomplished on his trek to bring the cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston, and why the cannons were so important to the American Cause.
See some of the ways they hauled the heavy cannons over lakes, frozen rivers, and snowy mountains.
Listen to Story Time
Head to the Interpretive Center for a reading of Henry and the Cannons: An Extraordinary True Story of the American Revolution by Don Brown. (Nov. 15 - 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.)
Examine Soldiers' Possessions During the War
See what living among Continental Army soldiers was like in the fall and winter of 1775-1776 by examining objects they carried with them on the 12-acre field.
Find out some of the reasons why men chose to enlist in the Continental Army, and read different scenarios to decide what you would have done.
Craft Your Own Piece of History
Take home your own craft—a tricorn hat and a cockade made out of ribbons.
Visit the Revolutionary War Encampment
Explore our Revolutionary War encampment and immerse yourself in the daily lives of soldiers, officers, and the families who traveled with the army.
Discover the Enlistment Process and Food Rations of the Continental Army
Join the American Cause and learn the highlights of enlisting in the Continental Army in 1775. (Nov. 15 - 11 a.m.)
Learn about 18th-century army rations, cooking, and the struggles of feeding so many troops. (Nov. 15 - 2:30 p.m.)
See Washington and His Army React to the Proclamation of the Rebellion
Experience the moment that sealed the fate of the 13 colonies as King George III's Proclamation of Rebellion is delivered on the 250th anniversary of this historic declaration. (Nov. 16 - 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.)
Get Hands-On in the Cooking & Laundry Yard
Try your hand at washing clothes and laying them out to dry in the laundry yard, and touch the various tools needed for cooking for a large number of people.
See Washington's Horses & Sheep
Talk with the Livestock team about the importance of these animals on Washington's farms and the jobs they performed in the 18th century.
The horses are located on the 12-acre field. (10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.)
The Hog Island Sheep are located in the paddock area. (1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
