Summer of Virginia History: Mount Vernon

On our continuing tour of Virginia history Friday's stop was Mount Vernon, the home of George and Martha Washington in northern Virginia.

Front of the house with large circle drive

Back of the house, overlooking the Potomac River

The entire estate is an impressive restoration of a late 18th century farm/plantation. The house tour was not as informative as what we received at Montpelier, but Mount Vernon is much busier so there's less time for personalized tours. 

The bowling green in front of the house

View of the front through the north portico

View of the Potomac River from the portico

Waiting in line to enter the house

We toured the estate with my friend Laura and her kids. It was a warm day with lots of humidity, especially being right on the waters of the Potomac River. We were not allowed to take any photos inside the house, but the various gardens and outbuildings were almost more interesting to learn about anyway.

The servants' hall, where we began our tour

The kitchen, just off of the south portico

Spacious back porch overlooking the Potomac

View of the Potomac from the rear of the house

Apparently one of us fell asleep?

After touring the mansion, we took a break for lunch in the air conditioning before exploring the rest of the grounds. We saw Washington's tomb, walked down to the river's edge, saw the farm and barn and peeked in the other outbuildings closer to the house. These include a stable (with dung repository, which apparently was the first dedicated compost in the nation), necessary, smokehouse, spinning house, slave quarters, and more.

The wharf

Throwing rocks into the river

Walking through the farm toward the barn

The 16-sided barn where wheat was threshed using horses

Using specially woven baskets to separate the wheat from the chaff

Spinning and weaving, they could clothe most of the nearly 300 slaves on site

A reproduction of a slave cabin

The heat and humidity dampened the enthusiasm of some of the kids, though Hannah was a trooper throughout the afternoon. We took a couple of water and rest breaks, as well as enjoying ice cream and air conditioning while perusing the gift shop. Hannah purchased a quilt making kit and Sophie decided upon a feather quill with parchment paper and various colors of ink.

Large stable with horse stalls and storage for tack and carriages

Side "street" on the south side of the mansion, to the left is the wash house and the smokehouse

Blacksmith shop, where they make items for the plantation

Sophie getting her picture with George Washington's granddaughter

Outside of the women's slave quarters near the mansion

Decorative shrubs in the upper garden

The greenhouse, supplied with hot air from a fire built on the opposite side of the building and tended by a slave 24/7

George Washington considered himself a farmer first and foremost, though of course he is better known for his role in the Revolutionary War and as our nation's first president. He made wheat his cash crop, breaking from the norm of tobacco because it was so heavily taxed by the British. He built a large grist mill to grind the wheat into flour, which was then sold throughout the states and overseas. We visited the grist mill before heading home for the day.

Waiting for our tour to begin

Outside of the grist mill

Mill race where water flows in to the water wheel

Watching the water wheel spin

Back side of the mill, it really is a beautiful structure

The distillery, also located on the grist mill site

Despite the hot and sticky conditions, it was a great day of exploration and learning. Thanks for joining us, Laura!

Photo courtesy Laura Y.