Free Admission for Purple Heart Recipients
Admission to Mount Vernon is free for Purple Heart Recipients. Purple Heart recipients also receive free admission 365 days a year to Mount Vernon.
Members of the military receive a discount on daytime admission.
For all other guests, the Purple Heart Commemoration ceremony is included with admission to Mount Vernon.
Purple Heart Trail Marker
This marker, dedicated by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association and the Military Order of the Purple Heart on August 7, 1998, commemorates the establishment of the Purple Heart decoration by General George Washington, commander in chief of the Continental Army, on August 8, 1782.
Marker is off the traffic circle, northeast of the Texas Gate main entrance to the Mount Vernon estate.
Military Badges
On August 7, 1782, George Washington created three new military badges that would honor the service of ordinary, common soldiers. In these General Orders, Washington outlined the creation of the Badge of Military Merit, the precursor to the Purple Heart.