From July 2024 to March 2026, the Education Center exhibit on George Washington’s life will be off display for an extensive rebuild.
Since its inception in 2006, the exhibit Discovering the Real George Washington at Mount Vernon's Education Center has offered millions of visitors an enlightening journey through the life of George Washington, from his humble beginnings as a surveyor to his crucial role in the founding of our nation.
Now, the exhibit is poised for a revitalization, guided by three overarching goals:
- Updating the scholarship
- Addressing outdated technology
- Transforming the layout to provide better access to the highlights of Washington’s life
With these goals in mind, the exhibit will continue to serve as a vital educational resource, illuminating the enduring legacy of George Washington for generations to come.
When will the exhibit be closed?
The exhibit will be closed July 2024 to March 2026.
Will the 4D film George Washington & the Revolutionary War, currently located within the exhibit, still be accessible?
Yes, the George Washington & the Revolutionary War film content will be moved to an accessible 2D, 200-seat theater space for the duration of the work.
This fast-paced film traces General Washington's important military victories at Boston, Trenton, and Yorktown. (MVLA)
Will the Be Washington Interactive Theater still be available during this time?
Be Washington will be unavailable for onsite play during the GWEX project; however, it is always accessible to play individually or as a group online.
Be Washington is a first-person interactive leadership experience. (MVLA)
Will the Hands-On-History Center continue to have programs for families during this time?
The Hands-on-History Center will be closed for the duration of the GWEX project for its own revitalization, but Discovery Stations will continue offering family programming.
Will this work affect the Mount Vernon: The Story of an American Icon exhibit?
No, Mount Vernon: The Story of an American Icon will remain open during regular estate hours.
In this museum exhibit, meet the people who shaped Mount Vernon, including Washington and Custis family members, enslaved and hired laborers, and Vice Regents of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, which has owned and preserved Mount Vernon since the 19th century. (MVLA)
During this period of closure, what other learning opportunities are available?
- Guided virtual tours of areas of the Mansion that are off-view
- Audio tour, enhanced with preservation content
- New specialty tours on preservation & religious freedom (individuals only)
- Enhanced demonstrations in the historic area on weekends
- Additional interpretation at Discovery Stations and outbuildings
- Farming, trades, and cooking demonstrations at the farm (April to October only)
- Characters interpretation on the estate & in performance spaces
- Tributes at Washington’s Tomb and the Slave Memorial & African American Burial Ground
- Distillery and Gristmill tours (weekends April-October only)
- Flag raisings (To schedule a flag raising, please contact groups@mountvernon.org.)
To learn more about 18th-century life, visitors can visit the Farm for cooking, trades, and farming demonstrations. (MVLA)
What will I find in the new exhibit?
In the new exhibit, George Washington: A Revolutionary Life, visitors can:
Step into a recreation of the President's House in Philadelphia. In this immersive experience, you become a fly on the wall during important conversations as our nation was founded. As you listen to these scenes play out, learn about the challenges and experiences Washington faced throughout the presidency.
View a scenario depicting a cabin for an enslaved family. Watch the doorway as five enslaved people appear and talk about their lives at Mount Vernon.
View the recently-discovered sealed glass bottles in Washington’s cellar that contained perfectly-preserved cherries and berries from the 18th century. See a full-scale recreation of Martha Washington’s wedding gown, and read authentic founding documents on display.
Strike a pose and snap a photo with a full-scale Washington at the selfie station.
See museum favorites once again, including lifelike wax figures of George Washington (with new enhancements) and Washington's dentures.
Play the Be Washington roleplaying experience once again. Take command and put your leadership experience to the test as you face the same challenges as the General.
Included with admission.
Mansion Revitalization Project
Exciting developments are happening at the Mansion as well: Mount Vernon has embarked on a landmark preservation project to ensure the Mansion's structural integrity for generations to come.
Learn more