Mount Vernon in the United Kingdom

The Regent and Vice Regents of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association invite you to travel to London next autumn for the rare opportunity to see this international capital city and its environs in a way few people ever experience. The trip will begin with an opening dinner at a private London location followed by two days of conferences where we will take an in-depth look at how our relationship with Great Britain shaped our nation as we fought for independence, and conclude with a gala dinner at Spencer House. The conference will be followed by four days of curated tours in the surrounding countryside. The itinerary is subject to change.

Thank you for your interest! This trip is at capacity. Please email Bethany Kucia at bkucia@mountvernon.org to be placed on a wait list.

Date

September 11-18, 2025

Location

London

Academic Conference: “Great Britain on the Eve of Revolution” in London, September 11-13

Organized by the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, two full days of sessions will bring together leading historians, current policy makers and academics to explore the relationship between Britain, the American colonies and the global community – from the War for Independence to our strong partnership today. The programming is designed to appeal both to scholars and to a more general audience of Anglophiles and enthusiasts of George Washington. Throughout the conference and first night of the travel program, guests will enjoy accommodations at London’s finest luxury hotel, Claridge’s.

Travel Program: Great Homes of the English Countryside, September 14-18

Immediately following the conference, guests will enjoy an exclusive visit to the iconic Windsor Castle. After departing London, a countryside tour of England’s most storied and distinguished estates will further enhance understanding of the conference themes along with the art, architecture and history of the region. Guests will enjoy an all-inclusive package of luxury accommodations, meals, transportation and access to private events and behind-the-scenes tours led by our expert Mount Vernon curators and in some cases the owners of these magnificent manors.

Eligibility:

The Mount Vernon Travel Program is a benefit available to Mount Vernon donors of $10,000 or more.

If you have a question about your eligibility, please contact Bethany Kucia at bkucia@mountvernon.org or 703.799.8642.

Space is limited to 75 travelers.

About the Conference

“Spain and the Global Struggle for United States Independence” will explore the important role of Spain in the age of the American Revolution and in the early years of the new United States. The conference will bring together historians from both sides of the Atlantic to examine the wars for empire, contests for territory, and the Enlightenment-era political ideas that shaped so much of the eighteenth century as well as the important legacy of Spain’s decision to declare war on Great Britain in 1779. Following this focus on the American Revolution and the Founding of the new United States, the conversation will extend to the ongoing diplomatic and cultural relationships between the two nations, from the presidency of George Washington to our own time.

The conference is organized by Mount Vernon’s Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington, with consultation from our academic partner, Universidad Complutense, Madrid. Alongside the academic goals of the gathering, the program is designed to appeal both to scholars and to a more general audience of enthusiasts of Spain, George Washington and history.

CONFERENCE SESSIONS AND LIST OF SCHOLARS

The Mount Vernon Travel Program

Immediately following the conference, a 5-day travel experience led by expert guides and curators will explore Madrid and surrounding cities and countryside. The travel program will serve as a complementary experience exploring Spain’s ties to U.S., along with the art, architecture, and rich sociopolitical history of the region. Hand-selected historians will accompany us on visits to museums and sites of historic significance to bring 18^th century Spain to life as it relates to the founding of the U.S.

Enjoy eight nights of luxury accommodations at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz Hotel, exquisite meals, and tours of the art, architecture, and rich sociopolitical history of the region led by historians and curators. We hope you will join us for insider experiences such as sharing meals in private palaces, private after-hour tours of museums and backstage access to national treasures that tie back to the 18th-century relationship between Spain and the new United States.

SEE THE ITINERARY

Eligibility: Please note that the Mount Vernon Travel Program is a benefit available to Mount Vernon donors of $10,000 or more. To discuss your giving, please email KHill@mountvernon.org, or call 703-799-8666.