Mount Vernon

September 2022

While in the DC Metro area visiting my cousin, we took a side trip to Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. They were having a "Colonial Market and Fair" which meant there was more going on there than usual. After browsing the market vendors and walking all over the grounds, we took a guided tour of the mansion. Despite being from Philadelphia and having been in many of the buildings where our country was founded, walking through Washington's home was fascinating and a bit awe inspiring. It portrayed him as a person, not just the mythical history book character who led our country. I also meant walking the same halls he did and seeing his work and living spaces up close. It was easy to imagine what it was like in the 1700's when George lived there.

02 Mom and Washington Family Statues
As soon as we arrived, my mother bumped into the Washington family and they were nice enough to pose for a photo
05 Piper Puppeteer
This fifer played as his George Washington puppet danced its heart out
06 Steer and Barn
Mount Vernon has sprawling land for crops and livestock
07 Reenactors
The colonial army is ready to go
09 Reenactor
This guy really fit the part
10 Reenactors
Things got loud as the colonial army opened fire
12 Hot Air Balloon
I had no idea they had hot air balloons in colonial times. I feel like Ben Franklin was probably involved in this.
13 Magician
We got out of the sun for a few minutes and watched a magician perform
14 Reenactor with Rats
Just a guy and his pet rat
15 Potomac River
On the bank of the Potomac
16 Duck
Goose on the bank of the Potomac
19 Round Barn
George Washington's circular barn is pretty ingenius.
20 Round Barn Interior
In the basement of George Washington's circular barn
22 Washington's Tomb
George Washington's tomb was under contruction. So, we didn't get much of a view of it.
24 Old Washington's Tomb
George Washington's original tomb
26 Porch Chairs on Lawn
Construction is keeping people from sitting on the porch, but they were smart enough to move the chairs to another vantage point.
27 Mount Vernon Mansion
The mansion is undergoing restoration
29 Weathervane
The weathervane atop the mansion shines in the sun
30 View from Mansion
Mount Vernon has a beautiful view of the Potomac River
31 Mount Vernon Mansion
George Washington's mansion at Mount Vernon
33 Greenhouse
The Mount Vernon greenhouse. I'm pretty sure the palm trees aren't native to here!
35 Washington Reenactor
Our first president still has time to wander the grounds and greet tourists.
37 Harpsichord
This harpsichord looks amazing for being 230 years old.
39 Miniature Coffin
Even if we didn't get to see Washington's tomb, we saw a tiny replica of his coffin.
41 Sanded Paint
The sanded paint on the mansion makes it look like brick. It's a really impressive technique.
42 New Room
In the New Room as we tour the mansion
45 View from Mansion
I'm not sure who the two people in the middle are saluting.
47 Dining Room
George Washington's dining room is very green!
48 Front Parlor
The front parlor of the mansion
49 Washingtons' Bedchamber
I bet Washington never thought a bunch of tourists would be parading through his bedchamber.
50 Study
It's awe-inspiring to stand in Washington's study and think of the work he did here.
51 Kitchen
The Mount Vernon kitchen
53 Mill Stone
Touring George Washington's Mount Vernon distillery
59 Gears
That the old wooden machinery in the mill of Washington's distillery still runs is a testament to how well this place is cared for.
63 Still
One of the stills at Washington's Mount Vernon distillery
65 Box Hill Pizzeria Patio
On the way home, we stopped at Box Hill for the best crabcakes in Maryland.
67 Delaware Memorial Bridge
Nothing to see here, just driving north on the southbound bridge of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Very disconcerting!