Tombs

George Washington's will directed the building of a new tomb at Mount Vernon. This is the final resting place for George and Martha Washington and a number of family members.

Mount Vernon is conducting an ongoing archaeological survey of the Slave Cemetery on the estate. From an archaeological standpoint, the best way to commemorate the lives of those free and enslaved individuals who lived and died at Mount Vernon is to thoroughly document the locations of individual burials on the landscape.

On December 18, 1799, four days after his death, George Washington’s body was placed in the Old Tomb where other family members were entombed. They remained here until 1831 when they were moved to the New Tomb.

Commemorate the community of the enslaved people who lived and worked at Mount Vernon during a special wreath-laying presentation each day.

Mount Vernon welcomes those who wish to arrange for a wreath-laying ceremony to pay their respect to the Father of our Country. Reservations must be made in advance.