Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens050

Mount Vernon was the beloved home of George and Martha Washington from the time of their marriage in 1759 until General Washington's death in 1799. He worked tirelessly to expand his plantation from 2,000 acres to 8,000, and the mansion house from six rooms to twenty one. The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association purchased Mount Vernon from the Washington family in 1858 and opened the estate to the public in 1860.

Visitors are invited to tour the Mansion house and more than a dozen outbuildings including the slave quarters, kitchen, stables, and greenhouse. Stroll four different gardens, hike the Forest Trail, and explore the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site, a four-acre working farm that includes a recreation of Washington's 16-sided treading barn. The George Washington Museum and the Archaeology & Restoration Museum are open daily, in addition to a variety of seasonal walking tours and special activities. George and Martha Washington rest in peace in the tomb where wreath laying ceremonies are held daily.

The Ford Orientation Center provides an introduction to Mount Vernon, featuring an 208-minute movie, a "mini-epic" reintroducing visitors to the charismatic American hero and the events that defined his legendary leadership and character; Mount Vernon in Miniature, an authentic, one-twelfth scale exact replica of the Mansion; and a lobby housing sculptures and stained glass windows depicting five scenes from Washington's life.

The Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center features 23 gallery and theater experiences - many of them with interactive technology - that illuminate the detailed story of Washington's life, including his military and presidential careers. The building also serves as Washington's presidential library with classroom space and computers providing access to more than 20,000 letters written by Washington during his lifetime. One of the highlights of the Center are three life-size wax models created by a team of artists and forensic and computer experts depicting Washington as a land surveying teenager in the western Virginia woods, a Revolutionary War general astride his white horse at Valley Forge, and the 57-year-old first president as he is sworn in on the balcony of Federal Hall.

Mount Vernon offers a variety of field trip adventures for students in grades K-12. These interactive programs are designed to help meet curriculum-based standards and focus on George Washington and life in the 18th century.

The newly refurbished Distillery & Gristmill are located three miles south of Mount Vernon, on Route 235, and open seasonally - from March 31 through October 31, daily 10am-5pm. At the Gristmill, families can watch the 16-foot waterwheel that powers the giant gears and millstones of Washington's remarkable mill. Demonstrations of the mill are given by millers in early-American attire. Stone ground cornmeal produced on site is available at the Gristmill Shop. At the Distillery, distillers demonstrate 18th-century techniques operating five copper stills, mash tubs, and a boiler in the two-story building that also includes and office and living quarters. A museum on the second floor features a History Channel video, George Washington's Liquid Gold, and an exhibit, Spirits of Independence: George Washington and the Beginnings of the American Whiskey Industry.

To get from the Distillery to the Estate and back, visitors may board the Fairfax Connector Bus #152 in front of the Mount Vernon Inn at 42 past the hour every hour. To return to the estate, visitors may board the Fairfax Connector Bus #151 on the hour every hour between 10am and 5pm.