Mount Vernon is privately owned and will remain open in the case of a government shutdown.

In the 1850s, Ann Pamela Cunningham and the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association began preserving the home of George Washington.

More than 160 years later, the work continues. The restoration of each room in the Mansion and each outbuilding is accomplished through the collaboration of experts in multiple fields, including architectural historians, archaeologists, carpenters, curators, conservators, and collections managers on Mount Vernon’s staff and craftspeople and colleagues from other historic sites.

As new documents and artifacts come to light and technological and analytical tools advance, we continually refine our understanding of Mount Vernon, the Washingtons, and life during the 18th century in order to give visitors accurate and engaging views of the past. 

Restoring Mount Vernon

Restoring Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon is one of the best documented and most complete examples of an estate from early America, but discovering, analyzing, and interpreting the extraordinary mass of available evidence is an ongoing process. In recent years many rooms inside the Mansion have undergone extensive restoration work.

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Historic Structures

Historic Structures

There are four different types of standing historic structures at Mount Vernon: Original Structures, Reconstructions, Replicas, and MVLA and Period Support Structures. Each of these structures helps tell the story of life at Mount Vernon.

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Paint Analysis

Paint Analysis

The question of what color to paint each room in the Mansion has been asked since the 1860s. Today we use modern paint analysis to help answer the question.

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The Restoration Process

Terminology

Terminology

Preservationists use a wide range of terminology in their work. Explore this list of some of their most commonly used terms and tools.

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Native American Occupation

Native American Occupation

Archaeological investigations show Mount Vernon was an attractive location for Native communities for thousands of years prior to the arrival of the Washington family.

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Preservation Projects

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22:49

The Women Who Saved Mount Vernon

170,920 views 7 years ago
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7:42

Digging up history: Archaeological Collection Tour

3,827 views 2 years ago
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3:43

Graffiti found at George Washington's Home

1,312 views 7 years ago
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7:10

How do we take care of George Washington's Tomb?

6,538 views 2 years ago
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2:47

Restoring Nelly Custis's Bedchamber at Mount Vernon

12,734 views 7 years ago
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4:00

A Look Inside the Chintz Room at Mount Vernon

17,523 views 6 years ago
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2:23

The Chintz Room Crib at Mount Vernon

4,846 views 6 years ago
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2:57

230 YEAR OLD TREE FALLS

6,194 views 3 years ago
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6:04

The Architecture of Mount Vernon

14,040 views 7 years ago
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1:23

The Cupola

18,606 views 7 years ago
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1:24

The West Front of the Mount Vernon Mansion

17,879 views 7 years ago
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1:36

The Mansion Cellar

5,726 views 7 years ago
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1:51

The Lafayette Bedroom

3,145 views 7 years ago
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2:01

The Greenhouse

1,072 views 7 years ago
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1:06

The East Front of the Mount Vernon Mansion

3,807 views 7 years ago
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2:40

Nelly Custis Room

1,030 views 7 years ago
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2:09

Nelly Custis' Crib

413 views 7 years ago
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2:16

Nelly Custis Bedchamber Restoration

377 views 7 years ago
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2:57

Nelly Custis and her Mount Vernon Bedchamber

507 views 7 years ago
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0:30

The bricks used in George Washington's Tomb #shorts

16,270 views 2 years ago
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1:05

The Little Parlor

3,388 views 7 years ago

Mount Vernon's Architecture

The Architecture Team leads the investigation and restoration of the estate’s physical fabric.

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