Jacques Cousteau

Sunday, June 09, 1985

Oceanographer, filmmaker, and author Jacques Cousteau celebrated his 75th birthday at Mount Vernon in a lavish event sponsored by Ted Turner and Turner Broadcasting. Over 2,000 people attended including several celebrities. Cousteau and his son, Jean-Michel, arrived by helicopter ahead of the other attendees for a guided tour of the Mansion and gardens. His boat Calypso docked at the wharf bringing his special guests. The party was featured in a television production celebrating Cousteau’s life and legacy and was seen by millions of viewers worldwide. Members of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association presented Cousteau with the gift of a cutting from an original Washington elm tree.

Jacques Cousteau at Mount Vernon. (MVLA)

Jacques Cousteau at Mount Vernon. (MVLA)

Jacques Cousteau at Mount Vernon. (MVLA)

In-Depth Look: Jacques Cousteau's Visit to Mount Vernon

Below, the Washington Library’s Manager of Visual Resources Dawn Bonner and Archivist Rebecca Baird explore Jacques Cousteau's 1985 visit to Mount Vernon.

Famous Visitors

Over its long history, Mount Vernon has hosted some of the world's most famous and influential figures.

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