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Historic Area

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In Mount Vernon's historic area, explore more than a dozen historic outbuildings.

In 1799, more than 50 enslaved men and women were trained in specific trades. They used their skills to:

  • make tools and textiles
  • care for livestock
  • process food, and
  • construct and repair Mount Vernon’s buildings, including the Mansion itself

Today, you can visit the outbuildings where much of this work was done, including the blacksmith shop, smokehouse, stable, and spinning house.

Plan Your Visit

Outbuildings

During your visit to Mount Vernon, view the outbuildings surrounding the Mansion.

Plan Your Visit

Spinning House

Enslaved and itinerant weavers worked in the Spinning House to produce basic textiles for use at Mount Vernon.

Blacksmith Shop

This building was essential to the running of the plantation and vital to Washington’s business endeavors.

Greenhouse

One of the largest buildings on the estate, it was designed to protect plants from the cold and house enslaved workers.

Slave Quarters

These living quarters, which flank the greenhouse, were home for some enslaved people who worked at Mansion House Farm.

Smokehouse

Vast quantities of pork were smoked in this structure to feed the Washington family and their guests.

Salt House

This structure provided secure storage for the large quantities of salt that George Washington imported.

Necessary

In the 18th century, there were probably four necessaries, or outhouses, spread out around the Mansion House grounds.

Wash House

Laundry for the Washington family, their guests, and single white male workers were washed here.

Stable and Coach House

Enslaved men fed and groomed the animals, cleaned harnesses and saddles, and collected manure for use as fertilizer.

Ice House

This structure was like a dry well and used to keep ice frozen for months.

Garden House

Located in the upper and lower gardens, these structures were used to store tools and seeds.

Overseer's Quarters

Each of Washington’s farms had its own overseer, who supervised work and submitted weekly reports.

Dung Repository

This structure was designed to compost animal droppings and other organic waste for use as fertilizer.

Storehouse

Used as storage under lock and key for hundreds of items, such as tools, leather, thread, powder, shot, and blankets.

Gardener's House

This building first served briefly as a hospital for enslaved workers, then for wool-spinning, and finally a dwelling.

Kitchen

The Kitchen was used to prepare all meals served to George and Martha Washington and their many guests.

Servants' Hall

For the majority of year, the Servants' Hall was reserved exclusively for the use of the visitors' servants.

South Lane

Explore the buildings south of the Mansion

Historic Area Map

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