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.
This back stool descended in the family of Martha Washington's granddaughter, Eliza Custis Law, who treasured it as "Martha Washington's sewing chair." Back stools, basically side chairs with upholstered backs and seats, provided a frame for the sumptuous display of expensive wool and silk fabrics and…
Revolutionary War officers were instructed to "appear in all respects as decent and soldierlike as circumstances' will permit." Their attire was to be orderly, their faces clean-shaven, and their hair to be set and powdered. Although many officers wore wigs out of convenience, George Washington preferred…
Enjoyed as a luxury among many eighteenth-century Virginians including the Washingtons, snuff was often carried in small containers such as this one. Its elegant design belies the indecorous ritual of snorting the powder through the nose and sneezing to clear it out. Mrs. Washington had a penchant for…
Intricately carved and painted ivory fans were among the most highly desired items exported from China to the United States in the mid- to late-eighteenth century. Martha Washington is known to have been particularly fond of fans, purchasing at least 28 for herself between 1755 and 1793. This example…
Martha Washington is believed to have embroidered this elegant pincushion during the winter encampment at Valley Forge as a present for the daughter of her host. Worked in silver wrapped thread and colorful silks, the small item would have made a large impact. Characteristic of Martha's industry and…
Dessert spoons were introduced in the early eighteenth century for partaking of the fruits, nuts, and other confections served after dinner. In 1762, when George Washington ordered a new set of china and silver flatware from London, he specifically requested two dozen "small Dessert Silver Spoons with…
This Chinese export porcelain platter features a relatively uncommon landscape scene, in which stylized rock formations dominate. It may have been acquired by George or Martha Washington for use at Mount Vernon at the end of the eighteenth century, or by their grandson, George Washington Parke Custis…
"…another thing occurs which must not escape unnoticed-and that is, A Case bought of Phil Bell at the price of 17 Guineas-Surely, here must be as great a mistake, or as great an Imposition as ever was offerd by a Tradesman. The Case is a plain one, and such as I coud get made in this Country (where…
As president, George Washington desired tablewares that would strike a stylistic balance between appearing too regal and not being sufficiently dignified enough to impress foreign dignitaries. In March 1790, he purchased a 309-piece service from the departing French minister, the Comte de Moustier. Moustier…
Anticipating large presidential entertainments, George Washington ordered twelve wine coolers from England in October 1789. When the coolers proved too unwieldy to pass around the table, he proposed the creation of decanter stands "open at the sides, but with a raised Rim as Castors have - and an upright…
Chinese hand-painted blue and white porcelain in standard patterns, such as landscape and river scenes, offered Westerners a romanticized glimpse of the exotic East and were prized for their durability and artistry. This soup plate is part of an extensive dinner service which once belonged to Elizabeth…
George Washington enjoyed fishing both as a gentleman's contemplative recreation and as a practical means of securing provisions while on the frontier. His diary records successful catches of a dolphin and shark in Barbados, a legendary catfish in the Ohio Country, and trout and perch during the recess…
