
Historic Trades
While Mount Vernon was owned by Washington, most of the work was done by enslaved people trained in specific trades.
Mount Vernon is open to visitors throughout the inauguration week. We look forward to seeing you.
In Mount Vernon's historic area, you can explore more than a dozen historic outbuildings.
In 1799, more than 50 enslaved men and women were trained in specific trades. These individuals used their skills to make tools and textiles, care for livestock, process food, and construct and repair many of Mount Vernon’s buildings, including the Mansion itself.
Today visitors can explore the outbuildings where much of this work was done including the blacksmith shop, smokehouse, stable, spinning house, and more.
Enrich your visit with Mount Vernon's audio tour, that discusses and interprets Washington's estate, including most of the outbuildings, at over 30 stops.
There are four different types of standing historic structures under the care of Mount Vernon's Architectural Preservation staff. Each type helps tell the story of life at Mount Vernon.
A staff of enslaved butlers, housemaids, waiters, and cooks made the Washingtons’ lifestyle possible.
Dozens of enslaved men and women were trained in trades including distilling, carpentry, textiles, dairy production, and gardening.
Blacksmithing was an important craft activity throughout most of the Washington family's ownership of the Mount Vernon plantation.
For decades, Washington's fisheries along the Potomac River helped support the estate.
Samuel Vaughan sketched a plan of the Mount Vernon mansion and the formal area around it in his journal, embellishing it with a perspective of the river and the Maryland shore beyond.
In 1754, Washington began residing at Mount Vernon, a 3,000 acre estate and a house that approximated 3,500 square feet. By his death, the estate was about 7,600 acres and almost 11,000 square feet.