Mount Vernon

On the way into Washington DC we stopped off at Mount Vernon the home of George and Martha Washington. Mount Vernon is located in Alexandria, Virginia.

The house had been in the Washington's family. The originally house was built in 1741-1742. Washington's father inherited the land in 1726. In August 1742 the house was first called Mount Vernon in public record.

In April 1743, Washington's father passed away and his brother Lawrence inherited Mount Vernon.

In July of 1752, Lawrence passed away leaving the estate to his half-brother George Washington. George Washington began construction on the house that appears today in 1757. He did not completed adding onto the house until after the Revolutionary War began.

Here is a picture of Kennedy and myself. We are looking good as George and Martha Washington.

Here we are hanging out with the hay. We took a walk down to see what the working farms looked like at Mount Vernon. There was a horse plowing the field and tons of croups growing. There were slave quarters and a beautiful view of the the water.

Washington was able to return home to Mount Vernon after leading the American troops in the American Revolution. He remained home from 1785-1786.

He became President of the United States from 1789-1797 and was able to spend short periods of time at his home in Mount Vernon.

He returned to Mount Vernon after his presidency where he had the time and opportunity to enjoy his land and his house. In 1797 he became one of the largest distillers of whiskey in the United States.

George Washington died at his house in 1799. He was buried on his plantation. He was later moved to a family crypt in 1831.

The House is under the ownership of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union. They have owned and managed the house since 1858.

The interior of the house is absolutely amazing. Ms. Edwards was not able to take photographs inside the house. Inside the house is a beautiful dinning room that demonstrates Washington's love for agriculture. There is his study as well as the room that he died in. After his death Martha Washington never slept in the room again. In the entry way there is a key to the Bastille. Throughout the house you can see Washington's love of the land and his country. Across the river the National Park Service has purchased land so that visitors will be able to share the view that Washington would have had.

There are statutes that represent George and Martha Washington and their grandchildren. George Washington never had children of his own. He helped raise her two surviving children from her marriage to Daniel Parke Custis. Their names were John Park Custis and Martha Parke Custis. Martha and George will also raise John's children upon his death in 1781. They raised Eleanor Parke Custis and George Washington Parke Custis.

Here is the final resting place of George, Martha, and some of their descendants. At least once a day they have a laying of the wreath at the tomb.

Here is a monument that is dedicated to the slaves who lived, raised their families, worked, and died at Mount Vernon. Around the base of the monument are the following words: Faith, Hope and Love.

The monument itself says "In Memory of the Afro Americans who served as slaves at Mount Vernon. This monument marking their burial ground dedicated September 21, 1983. Mount Vernon Ladies' Association."

Here is a view of the sight that George Washington could have had from his property. What an amazing view to be able to look at every day.