For Immediate Release
February 28, 2008
Digital images available
Media Contact:
Melissa Wood (703) 799-5203
mwood@mountvernon.org
New “National Treasure Tour”: Only in March Seasonal Opening of George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill: March 15 Beginning of Sightseeing Cruises and Walking Tours: March 15 Grand Opening of Restored Gardener’s House: March 21
MOUNT VERNON, Va. – A special behind-the-scenes tour connected to a blockbuster movie, the grand opening of the newly restored Gardener’s House, and seasonal openings for the popular Distillery and Gristmill, sightseeing cruises, and walking tours are reasons that “spring fever” has come to Mount Vernon in March!
National Treasure Tours
Daily, March 1 – 31; 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Due to the popularity of Mount Vernon’s special “Basement Tours” in January and February, the Estate has created an entire “National Treasure Tour” where visitors can take an hour-long walking tour that includes behind-the-scenes information about areas where “National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets” filming took place and how these locations were used during George Washington’s time. The Mansion’s basement with its cornerstone is included in this tour, which is offered only in March. The National Treasure Tour is limited to 25 visitors per time slot and costs $2 per tour in addition to Estate admission: $13 adults; $12 seniors; $6 children (6-11); free for children 5 & under. There are no advance reservations for individual tickets. Groups of 20 or more may reserve a separate tour in advance by calling the Group Sales Office: 703-799-8688.
George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill
Daily, March 15 - October 31, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
At the Distillery visitors see costumed distillers operating a copper still, stirring mash tubs, and managing the boiler as they demonstrate 18th-century distilling. The two-story building also features a storage cellar with barrels, an office, and two bedrooms where the site manager and assistant would have lived. On the second floor, an entertaining History Channel video called “George Washington’s Liquid Gold” and a museum exhibit, “Spirits of Independence: George Washington and the Beginnings of the American Whiskey Industry,” tell the story of whiskey at Mount Vernon and its history in America. George Washington’s Distillery is adjacent to his reconstructed Gristmill, a water-powered mill where Colonial millers grind corn into meal and wheat into flour just as it was done more than 200 years ago.
Admission to the site is $4 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-11, and free for children 5 and under. When combined with admission to Mount Vernon, tickets are $2 for adults, $1.50 for children ages 6-11, and free for children 5 and under. Tickets can be purchased at Mount Vernon's Ford Orientation Center or at the Gristmill Shop on site.
Seasonal Walking Tours – Free with admission
Daily, March 15 - October 31, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Slave Life at Mount Vernon - This 30-minute guided walking tour highlights the lives and contributions of the African-Americans who built and operated the plantation home of George and Martha Washington. The tour is offered daily at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. Garden and Landscape Tour - This 30-minute guided walking tour highlights George Washington's remarkable design for the gardens and grounds of his Estate. The tour is offered daily at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Potomac River Sightseeing Cruises
Beginning March 15, Friday - Sunday only
Potomac River sightseeing cruises offer a refreshing opportunity to explore Mount Vernon from a different view with a 40-minute narrated excursion aboard the Spirit of Mount Vernon Friday through Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. Starting on April 1 cruises will also be offered at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. aboard the Miss Christin. Tickets for sightseeing cruises are $9 for adults and $5 for children (6-11) in addition to Estate admission. Children ages 5 and under are free. Boat schedules are subject to change. Visit MountVernon.org for the latest cruise schedules.
Gardener’s House
Grand Opening March 21, Special Interpretation on Easter Weekend (March 22-23)
George Washington’s Gardener’s House, the last of the original outbuildings at Mount Vernon to be restored, will open to the public with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, “show and tell” of discoveries made during the restoration process, and a presentation by Washington’s gardener, “William Spence” on Friday, March 21 at 11:00 a.m. The first floor with its three rooms is furnished to show visitors how the gardener would have lived in this building that is located just off the Mansion’s circle. “William Spence” will interact with visitors following the ceremony and over Easter Weekend, March 22-23.
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