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Pioneer Farm

Located on the banks of the Potomac, the four-acre Pioneer Farm site explores George Washington’s role as a visionary farmer.

The Pioneer Farm represents the more than 3,000 acres Washington cultivated during the second half of the 18th century. It also offers visitors a chance to learn more about the lives of the enslaved workers who put Washington’s agrarian ideas into practice.

Watch costumed interpreters demonstrate Washington's innovative farming and fishing practices, hoe fields, cook over a fire, sheer sheep, and harvest crops (activities vary day to day). Explore a replica slave cabin and Washington's 16-sided treading barn. Stroll along the Wharf for a view across the Potomac River.

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Events at the Pioneer Farm

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Live Demonstrations

From April to October, you can see live demonstrations every day at the Pioneer Farm.

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Animals

Animals of all kinds played an important role in Washington's life and the economy of the farm at Mount Vernon.

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Plant Finder

What to know what's is growing at the Pioneer Farm? The name of a plant at Mount Vernon? Or if George Washington grew it? Use the Plant Finder tool to help you while strolling the gardens.

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10 Facts about the 16-Sided Barn

One of Washington’s masterful farming innovations was a 16-sided barn designed for treading wheat—his most important cash crop. The barn at the Pioneer Farm site is an exact replica of the original that was located on Washington's estate.

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Hemp

Throughout his lifetime, Washington cultivated industrial hemp at Mount Vernon. Records show it was used in repairing large seine fishing nets.

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Fisheries

For almost 40 years, Washington's fishing operations along the Potomac brought in food for enslaved and paid workers, and by selling the surplus, provided additional profits for the estate.

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A Day in the Life of an Enslaved Field Worker

Washington expected his workforce to get as much done as possible every day, which could mean 14-hour days in the summer. He wrote in 1789, "Every Labourer (male or female) does as much in the 24 hours as their strength without endangering the health, or constitution will allow of."

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Replica Slave Cabin

While at the Pioneer Farm, you can visit this replica cabin that depicts how many enslaved families lived at Mount Vernon.

Wheat Treading at the 16-Sided Barn

See how Washington used his remarkable 16-sided barn at Mount Vernon

Slammin Joe on Slavery

Slammin Joe, one of George Washington's slaves at Mount Vernon, describes his views on slavery.

Collection of Seed

Dean Norton, Director of Horticulture at George Washington's Mount Vernon, talks about the historical…

Washington's 16-Sided Treading Barn

The 16-sided treading barn is George Washington’s very own invention and is used for processing wheat.

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Reconstructing Washington's Barn

The reconstruction of Washington's barn was based on extensive documentation, including Washington's own design drawings and 19th-century photographic evidence.

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18th Century Farming

The Pioneer Farm is a smaller representation of Washington’s approach to farming in the 18th century.

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Pioneer Farm

Events at the Pioneer Farm

Live Demonstrations

Animals

Plant Finder

10 Facts about the 16-Sided Barn

Hemp

Fisheries

A Day in the Life of an Enslaved Field Worker

Replica Slave Cabin

Farming at Mount Vernon

Wheat Treading at the 16-Sided Barn

Slammin Joe on Slavery

Collection of Seed

Washington's 16-Sided Treading Barn

Reconstructing Washington's Barn

18th Century Farming

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