A Teacher's Perspective: George Washington and the Creation of the Professional American Army
Monday, March 12, 2018
by James Lautzenheiser Thirty-nine miles south of Crestview Local Schools (Convoy, Ohio), in the present-day town of Fort Recovery, Ohio, stands a physical reminder of one of the costliest days in the history of the United States Army. The rural agricultural town looks a lot like my community except for the large obelisk-shaped memorial across t...
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The Patriotic Spirit of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
Thursday, March 08, 2018
by Rebecca Baird, Archivist Harriet Comegys served as the Regent of the MVLA during World War I. Throughout World War I, thousands of American women volunteered for patriotic service organizations that supported the military and the war effort. While the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association (MVLA) was not involved in this movement in ...
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Wind Tears Down George Washington's Tree
Wednesday, March 07, 2018
On March 2, a severe nor’easter brought strong winds to the Mid-Atlantic, relentlessly bombarding power lines and property throughout the region. The estate lost power for more than 36 hours and closed its doors the day of the storm. The wind storm struck down two historic trees on the estate, a circa 1791 Canadian hemlock and a 100-year-old Vir...
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Working in all Weather
Friday, February 23, 2018
by Mary V. Thompson Since the Christmas holidays, the weather here at Mount Vernon has been something of a roller coaster, with days and weeks in the low double digits and other days when the sun is shining and the temperature may reach 70 degrees. We’ve had some snow, but not enough for a real “snow day." Some of you might be wondering if the e...
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The Legacy of Wreath Making at Washington's Tomb
Monday, February 19, 2018
Every year on George Washington's birthday, Mount Vernon welcomes visitors to Washington's Tomb for a presidential tribute. This special ceremony includes reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Washington's prayer for his country, and the placement of a boxwood wreath. Boxwood was a significant plant in the 18th century. Washington planted it in the...
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French Hound Farces
Friday, February 16, 2018
George Washington's love of dogs and foxhunting is well documented. However, some of Washington's dogs did not share his inclination for the sport. WikiCommons In May 1785, the Marquis de Lafayette wrote to Washington that he has a gift from a gentleman from Normandy: seven French Hounds, likely the Grand Bleu de Gascogne (left). ...
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Exploring the Newburgh Conspiracy
Monday, February 12, 2018
by Jessie MacLeod, Associate CuratorThe curatorial team recently installed a new display in the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center, featuring two objects related to the Newburgh Conspiracy, one scenario featured in the recently-opened Be Washington interactive experience. Near the end of the Revolutionary War, a group of military off...
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Winter Sports at Mount Vernon
Thursday, February 08, 2018
While Virginia winters are milder than those in the north, George Washington and his family took part in winter games at Mount Vernon and in Philadelphia during Washington's presidency.
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A Rare Look at Restoring the Blue Room
Wednesday, February 07, 2018
When guests walk around George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, they will notice that the rooms and buildings are not only in pristine condition, but still look as if they are in the 18th century. This is due to the hard work from our preservation department, who are constantly researching and renovating the historic parts of the estate to keep...
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Painting the Central Passage
Monday, February 05, 2018
During the Mansion’s two-week closure for preservation work, Mount Vernon’s architectural staff began a transformative restoration of the central passage. Upon reopening, the team unveiled a new look for the central passage, replacing the dark, wood-grained finish of the panel walls with a fresh coat of paint in a color known as “stone” in the 1...
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Preservation
Mansion Revitalization Project
Mount Vernon has embarked on a landmark preservation project to ensure the Mansion's structural integrity for generations to come.