Quick Facts
Condition: | Original |
Where is it Located
About the Salt House
This structure provided secure storage for the large quantities of salt that George Washington seasonally imported from England, Portugal, and the Caribbean. Fresh meat and fish were packed in dry salt or brine for preservation. Salting fish was particularly important; herring and shad were plentiful in the Potomac River. They provided Washington with income and sustenance for everyone on the plantation.
Learn more about salt's role in Mount Vernon's Fishing Operations