Washington - Part III October 3 - 9 Mt. Vernon

While we were in Washington D.C. we took the opportunity to visit our first President's famous home, Mt. Vernon.  George aquired Mount Vernon in 1754 and personally oversaw every detail of design, construction and decoration- even when away at war.  During the 45 years he owned it, he expanded the mansion house from six rooms to twenty one!

The first stop was in the visitors center where we came upon this unique statue of George, his wife Martha and Martha's two children from a previous marriage.

Inside the visitors center is this unique scale model of Mt. Vernon.  It is scaled 1 inch for every foot and every aspect is in working order - the door knobs turn, the windows open and close, the drawers pull out.   From the rusticated siding to the carved mantels it is all true to Washington's version of his home.







With the aid of audio devices we walked the grounds.  Some of the more interesting sites were:

The overseer's quarters - The most impressive aspect was learning that even though Washington was away from Mount Vernon most of his career it was still financially sucessful.   Washington was in constant contact with his overseer via correspondence.  Remember no phones, no postal service and no internet.  And yet, George could take these delayed details and still  manage the activities of his farm and other ventures while off site.  He also pioneered innovative farming methods, including crop rotation and the use of fertilizers.

How innovative was the process of the wash house in that every item had the owner's initials sewn into the garment so they knew who to deliver the clothing to once it was washed and ironed.

Washington loved to travel in what the audio tour called a "sports carriage" or riding chair.  It was much faster and also easier to handle on the poorly maintained roads of the time.

We toured the home, but, as usual, no photos were allowed inside the home.  One of the more surprising  things we learned about was a process called rustification.  They basically painted the wood and then they threw sand on it.  We had to walk up and touch it because it appears exactly like cut stone.

We did get to enjoy the spacious rear porch.  Also of note is the Dove of Peace weathervane above the coupola.  It is made from copper with an iron frame and a cast lead headpiece, and is covered in gold leaf.  We also got to sit on the back porch and enjoy...

...the view of the Potomac enjoyed by George and Martha while they sat on the backporch of their beloved Mount Vernon.

We also were extremely impressed by the Ford Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center.  This was the best visitor center video we have ever seen - and we have seen a lot of them!   The seats rumble during the war scene and there is also fog and actual snow falling on you that makes the chill of the scenes from the revolutionary war seem all the more realistic.  The video also detailed Washington's innovative war strategies that were critical to his success.

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The technology of photography was not available during Washington's time.  Using a bust (created by the artist Houdon) that was sculpted when George was 52, the craftsmen worked backward to create this figure of George 33 years younger. Shown in this scene is George Washington as a 19 year old surveyor.

And, here as Commander in Chief where he led the troops in the Revolutionary War.

And, finally, at the swearing in ceremony for the first presidential inauguration.

We also learned quite a bit about Martha.  As you can see from the portrait she is much more beautiful than the dowdy old women that she is normally protrayed as.  She was a widow when George met her.  When George died in their bedroom she locked the door and never slept in the bed again.  Sadly, after he died she burned hundreds of letters she received from George.  George and Martha never had any children together.  When George died he freed all of his slaves but, naturally, it made it very difficult for Martha to continue to run the farm as profitably.

We also went to visit Washishington's Gristmill ...

...as well as his whiskey distillery.    Both the gristmill and distillery utilized innovative techologies that were cutting edge in the 18th century.

On December 14, 1799 George died in his bedchamber.  He and Martha are buried at the Washington Tomb at Mount Vernon.  Mark and I both left Mount Vernon with an increased admiration for the abilities and leadership skills of this great man.  As the saying goes he was undeniably "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen!"

So begins our trek to see the homes of some of the Founding Fathers.  Next stop is the beautiful State of Virginia.