The Home of George Washington...

This trip to Virginia had the main purpose of meeting up with as many family members as possible in the limited time I had there. That said, playing tourist is always a welcomed component of any adventure. Mount Vernon was my destination of choice.

There is so much to share here. This is just a very quick overview of our day at George Washington's Mansion, a home ten times the size of the average house in colonial Virginia.
The building began as a one and one-half story house built in 1734 by George Washington's father, Augustine Washington, and received its well-known name from his half-brother Lawrence Washington (who had inherited it first). George began running it in 1754, and over the next 45 years slowly enlarged the dwelling to create the 21-room residence we toured.

Washington oversaw each renovation, advising on design, construction, and decoration, despite being away much of the time. Conscious that the world was watching, Washington selected architectural features that expressed his growing status as a Virginia gentleman and ultimately as the leader of a new nation. It probably helped that his wife had come to the marriage as one of the wealthiest women in the colonies!

Several of us guests commented on the sign, when entering. Were we allowed to dispose of knives in adjacent shrubs? Inquiring minds want to know.


The cupola is topped with a weathervane in the shape of a dove of peace. Washington commissioned the weathervane while he was presiding over the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. In his order to Philadelphia architect Joseph Rakestraw, he specified that the weathervane should "have a bird…with an olive branch in its Mouth…that it will traverse with the wind and therefore may receive the real shape of a bird." Oh man, the attention to detail. Wow!
He said of his home along the Potomac River, "I can truly say I had rather be at Mount Vernon with a friend or two about me, than to be attended at the Seat of Government by the Officers of State and Representatives of every Power in Europe."

After sitting for a bit on the piazza, we understood why! By the way, the two-story porch facing the Potomac River is one of the Mansion’s most iconic architectural features and was designed by Washington. In the 18th century, it was extremely rare to see such a grand façade on a private residence. The piazza provided an additional living space and is widely copied on homes throughout America. Who knew?!

This, the Key to the Bastille, given to George Washington by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1790, has been mounted on the entrance wall since it was gifted. Lafayette was like a son to George and there are several paintings of him within the home.




The bedrooms were lovely. The Washingtons had many visitors at Mount Vernon, particularly after the Revolutionary War as Washington’s political stature grew. Many of these visitors were close friends, family members, or neighbors, but others were unknown to the Washingtons. In 1797, Washington commented about a recent dinner “at which I rarely miss seeing strange faces; come, as they say, out of respect to me. Pray, would not the word curiosity answer as well?” I was surprised to learn that in one year they had over 650 overnight guests.



















George Washington died in his bedchamber at Mount Vernon on December 14, 1799. His last will outlined his desire to be buried at home at Mount Vernon. Washington additionally made provisions for a new brick tomb to be constructed after his death, which would replace the original yet quickly deteriorating family burial vault.
Behind the iron gate are two marble sarcophagi, one inscribed "Washington," the other "Martha, Consort of Washington." I was surprised to discover what an equal she was to him. This visit has left me wanting to learn more about the first First Lady.
The reason this 249 year old historic treasure is still here is because of the foresight of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association MVLA). After Martha died, Mount Vernon began its descent into its neglected demise. MVLA bought the Mansion and about 200 acres for $200k in 1858. Initially writing under the nom de plume, "A Southern Matron," Ann Pamela Cunningham challenged first the women of the South, and later the women of the entire country, to save the home of George Washington from dilapidation.
The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association was the first national historic preservation organization and is the oldest women's patriotic society in the United States. Its pioneering efforts in the field of preservation set an important precedent and have served as a model for many.

We ended our too brief of a visit at the Donald W. Reynolds Museum. Our focus was Treasured Possessions: The Material World of the Washington Family. On view were fine and decorative arts owned by George and Martha Washington. The exhibit's goal was to help us understand how the Washingtons used objects to fashion their identities.


I found this ring with George Washington's hair (1824) interesting. The information accompanying it reads, "Continuing the tradition of gift-giving begun in their youth, Martha Washington's grandchildren prepared numerous mementoes for their reunion with Lafayette in 1824. Eliza Parke Custis presented gold ring containing a lock of George Washington's hair to the Marquis to give to his daughter, Anastasie de Motier de Lafayette. Anastasie wrote in response: "The gift of this relic which I wear with veneration and tenderness inspires me with gratitude."

This is the original weathervane, removed from the cupola for preservation.
For me, ending this day in the company of a fifer is just too perfect. If you're even more curious about Mount Vernon, you can watch this video where George, himself, guides you through his Mansion. What an incredible and inspiring explore.

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